The Super Bowl isn’t just about the game, it’s about the star-studded halftime show. With that in mind, Pepsi, the NFL, and Roc Nation have put together a dream team of talent to deliver the goods for the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar will headline the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, marking the first time these multi-platinum winning legends take the stage together. The much-anticipated halftime show will kick off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA on Sunday, Feb. 13.
Todd Kaplan, the Pepsi Vice President of Marketing, said artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were at the forefront of the West Coast hip hop revolution.
“So to be able to bring them back to L.A., where it all began, alongside Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar will prove to be an epic, unforgettable celebration of the impact hip hop has today.”
Halftime show is more than just music
Pepsi and the NFL are supporting the launch of Los Angeles-based Regional School #1, a magnet high school slated to open this fall. The school’s mission is based on USC Iovine and Young Academy, a program founded by Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young.
The school will focus on the educational properties of integrated design, technology, and entrepreneurship. Former Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) superintendent Austin Beutner said:
“This new partnership with Jimmy, Dr. Dre and the USC Iovine and Young Academy will help open the doors of opportunity for students, in particular Black and Latino children, from communities which have been historically underserved. Much like the work of the Academy, this effort will help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.”
What’s on the halftime show playlist?
It goes without saying that viewers will swarm to this epic lineup of Super Bowl halftime entertainment, but what’s the buzz on what hits they’ll perform? Everyone has their favorite tracks, of course. Here are some time-tested hits everyone knows and loves.
Dr. Dre — “California Love”
Dr. Dre’s “Welcome to the Wild Wild West” is a love letter to the Golden State and L.A., so it’s pretty much a promise you’ll hear this 1995 banger. And who can forget his 1999 hit featuring Snoop Dogg’s “Still D.R.E.?” After all, it’s a powerful reminder that Dr. Dre is and always will be a favorite son.
In a statement, the pioneering producer said: “The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career.”
Snoop Dog — “Gin & Juice” or “Drop It Like It’s Hot”
Let’s face it, the average fan has two or three (or ten) cocktails during the Big Game festivities, so Snoop’s “Gin and Juice” is a surefire winner during halftime. And although no one wants to see their favorite team fumble, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” – the rapper’s bouncing braggadocio would be a fun confidence booster.
Eminem — “Lose Yourself”
The halftime show is only 12 minutes long. So, is it a given “Lose Yourself” will win out over Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady?” Considering that “Lose Yourself” is an enduring anthem for anyone out there who wants to make a dream come true. E’s biggest hit to date could be the go-to headliner from Double M.
Mary J. Blige — “Family Affair”
This isn’t Mary J. Blige’s first rodeo — she performed Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” alongside Britney Spears, *NSYNC, and Nelly during the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show. This year, however, she’ll likely throw down her “Family Affair” Dr. Dre collab. “Cause you know we gots to get it crunk” is an all-hands-on-deck shoutout to the players and the fans to amp up the energy.
Kendrick Lamar — “Now or Never,” feat Mary J. Blige
When you think of superstar quarterbacks and chart-topping entertainers, the word that comes to mind isn’t necessarily “humble.” But Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 track keeps it real and might be just the mid-game pep talk everyone needs. That said, his “All The Stars” is another likely contender. Featured on the Black Panther soundtrack and packed with energy and hope for what’s next, it’s a Super Bowl sound that can’t be topped.
The usual suspects
The Big Game’s halftime show is the main musical event, but it’s remiss not to mention stadium anthems everyone anticipates at every college and professional sporting event. Whether it’s before, during, or after kickoff, these heavy hitters are guaranteed to energize a stadium, an arena or your Super Bowl LVI party!
- Queen — “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions”
- Journey — “Don’t Stop Believin”
- Survivor — “Eye of the Tiger”
- C & C Music Factory — “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”
- Tag Team — “Whoomp, There It is”
- Ozzy Osbourne — “Crazy Train”
- Guns N’ Roses — “Welcome To The Jungle”
- AC/DC — “Thunderstruck”
- The Ramones — “Blitzkrieg Bop”
- The White Stripes — “Seven Nation Army”
- Europe — “The Final Countdown”
The Super Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 13. NBC has the 5:30 p.m. kickoff this season.
