The Super Bowl LVI Halftime show highlighting Dr. Dre’s hit producing moments was a dream come true for hip hop lovers all over. Hardly any missteps were found in the nearly 15-minute production filled with performances led by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem with Anderson .Paak.
Initially met with skepticism from fans who were unsure about the combination of artists representing Southern California for a Super Bowl taking place in Inglewood, by the end of the encounter it was clear that hip hop has been in the house and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s alliance with the NFL has at least given viewers an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.
Halftime went off without a glitch, leaving out gimmicky moments that have plagued past shows. Every artist that contributed to the production came with their A-game, leaving the audience stunned. The set kicked off with the hit Dr. Dre and Snoop single “The Next Episode” before drifting into “California Love,” bringing Tupac Shakur to the Super Bowl in spirit.
50 Cent made a surprise appearance to perform his mega-hit “In Da Club,” as he dangled from the ceiling, referencing the same move he made in the original video.
His meme-worthy performance was followed by a dazzling Mary J. Blige dressed in a mirror printed two-piece fit with matching thigh-high boots. MJB performed her famous Dr. Dre produced “Family Affair” before transitioning to a more serious “No More Drama” where she left it all on the stage as she danced before patting her head and falling out.
Kendrick had a tough act to follow, but he held his own. The cameras angled to show blonde-headed men dressed in all black waiting in cardboard boxes centered on the stage’s floor backdrop which showed an aerial view of Compton and surrounding Southern California. Kendrick popped out of a box with the hard-hitting “m.A.A.d. City” from his sophomore album. Then, he transitioned to another one of his hard message songs, “Alright,” a perfect and much-needed song considering the times. Magnificently on point, Lamar didn’t miss a beat and even incited a viral petition for new music from the low-key artist.
Eminem followed Kendrick’s undeniable performance with a brief intro of “Forgot About Dre” as it merged into his most popular motivational anthem, “Lose Yourself.” The crowd responded with enthusiasm — and so did Anderson. Paak, who happily played drums during the epic segment.
The Detroit artist ended his set by kneeling down, seemingly paying homage to Colin Kaepernick and his message to end racism and police brutality. As he kneeled, Dr. Dre brought in a bit of Tupac again when he played the tune of “I Ain’t Mad At Cha,” really hitting home with the legacy of the West Coast and the major contributions to music and culture that these talented individuals have made over the years.
Dre and a Crip walking Snoop reunited for the final song “Still D.R.E.” as the Halftime performance closed out with all artists joining together on stage.
Despite what the naysayers may come up with on the day after, they can’t detract from these legendary artists that have proven to have longevity and impact in an ever-changing industry.
See the full Halftime show on YouTube.
