Rapper 50 Cent made a surprise appearance along five other hip hop legends, while Eminem provided the big moment of controversy in a Super Bowl halftime show heralded widely as the greatest in the NFL showpiece’s history.
50 Cent was not listed ahead of proceedings ahead of the show that featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige at halftime of the Rams vs. Bengals game at Ls Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre started the show with a version of ‘California Love’. 50 Cent was hanging upside down nearby – a reference to the video for his hit single ‘In Da Club’, which he then performed.
After Eminem performed ‘Lose Yourself’, he took a knee. It was reported he had been told not to by the NFL – but many drew parallels to NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the national anthem and has been out of the sport since.
(L-R) 50 Cent, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The artists had said the NFL was slow to embrace hip hop as a genre.
“We’re going to open more doors for hip-hop artists in the future and making sure that the NFL understands that this is what it should have been long time ago,” Dre said ahead of the performance.
“It’s crazy that it took all of this time for us to be recognised.
“I think we’re going to do a fantastic job. We’re going to do it so big that they can’t deny us anymore in the future.
“We appreciate the NFL for even entertaining hip-hop because we know a lot of people that don’t want hip-hop onstage.
“But we’re here now and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Going by social media reaction, it was a stunning success.
mushi
Roar Guru
He did die before the kneeling started.
Mat P
Guest
Hard for me not to be cynical in this current age of nostalgia driven entertainment, with its constant regurgitation of reboots, remakes and revivals. 90's kids (an I'm one of them) seemingly can't let go of their youth. But at least Kendrick, the only performer in their prime, was there to represent a more modern sound. It's the halftime show they should have had 10-15 years ago.
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
American Football is the only sport I've fallen asleep in a final -- in the middle of the day. "The artists had said the NFL was slow to embrace hip hop as a genre." A "genre", so that's what hip hop is... sure as hell isn't music.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Still time to delete this
Danno
Roar Rookie
Who gives a f@:k , we’re in the land of plenty, down under , over hyped bull dust
killaku
Roar Rookie
They are all cool till they get on their knees,Prince never bowed down to that woke crap
The Bear
Guest
Not into Hip Hop. I don't see the attraction. Turn to MMM 80's to get generally good music between the adverts.
Coastyboi
Guest
* Someone farts * “Oh ma Gawd, Honey, best ever! Grab ma gun & chilli dog. Greatest of all time!” Pew, pew, pew.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Other than Eminem it was rubbish.
Mitcher
Guest
You’re reading too much into this. Some people like some sports. Others like other sports. That you’re so obsessed with what others enjoy is much more a reflection on you that the people you’re making broad generalisations about. I hope things get better for you in life so you can let go of some of these unhelpful feelings.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That was a rhetorical question. He can wear whatever he wants and given his attitude to the NFL and it's requests I assume he would have the same for your method of control. And that is not his "costume" from his hey day.
Ben
Guest
You're also an Aussie right? Aussie leftists are a bit strange and cringeworthy when it comes to sports, it's why the ones in Sydney are all into their AFL (League is the bogan working class game and that is beneath them of course). Funnily enough AFL is working class in Melbourne, just like the American Rugby game is the domain of the most redneck and moronic of all the Americans (basketball is more the pursuit of the left leaners). The biggest rednecks (Texas, Alabama) is where this atrocity of a sport is obsessed over the most.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Definitely would have been 100x better on the East coast.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
I’m so far left I’m falling off the dial but it was a great game
Ben
Guest
Don't understand what? Yes the rednecks flying their confederate flags from their pick up trucks and drinking their crappy beer are the only ones that have the requisite intelligence to understand a particular sport. CERN is clearly missing out on these brightest minds that our species have to offer.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Yes and no - re rules. In essence - that's his 'stage costume'.........it's a bit like Alice Cooper or Kiss. In my opinion.........it wears a bit thin - - it would be like Madonna in 2010 still dressing like she was in 1984. She was still 'flambouyant' and making a statement.......but her 'costume' had evolved.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Cheers. I just looked at it and it was a little too AFL (pre-game 'show') like.....too much ambient light.....and that's problematic with a West Coast US event like this fitting the East Coast timeslots too.......the benefit of stage lighting etc is largely lost. That's just the way it is. It then develops a bit of a look/feel of either a sound check or a festival show waiting for the main act to come on as the sun goes down entirely.
Simon G
Roar Rookie
I was looking forward to this for ages but it fell a bit short. I think the separate rooms spoiled it a bit and the fact they weren’t all on stage together. Could’ve been a lot better…
Rellum
Roar Guru
How should Eminem dress? Are their rules how 49 years must abide by in how they dress? Or does he just have to run everything by you to make sure it is of the approved dress code.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I thought Dr Dre was dead and locked in Eminem's basement...liar