Finally, fans may be able to hear “SOS,” “Umbrella,” “Only Girl,” and “We Found Love,” on the grand stage at Super Bowl LVII. Rihanna confirmed that she is booked to headline the 2023 NFL halftime show sponsored by Apple Music, replacing longtime sponsor, Pepsi. The Super Bowl is set to take place Feb. 12 at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage,” the NFL Head of Music, Seth Dudowsky, said in a statement. “Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another historic Halftime Show performance.”
Rihanna’s discography has such an extensive list of songs and albums, it will be interesting to see which songs will make the halftime playlist. For the record, the global icon from Barbados is equipped with eight platinum-plus albums, including her debut, Music of the Sun, and follow-ups, A Girl Like Me, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rated R, Loud, Talk that Talk, Unapologetic, and Anti.
“Rihanna is an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world,” said Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music and Beats. “We’re excited to partner with Rihanna, Roc Nation and the NFL to bring music and sports fans a momentous show, what an incredible artist for the inaugural Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.”
Roc Nation’s partnership with the NFL has exceeded expectations since business entrepreneur and music icon, Jay-Z, joined the conversation. The Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show held in early 2022 featured a colossal collaboration with Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem. The live performance ended up winning three Emmys.
Watch The Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show
Dr. Dre, who admits he was nervous going into the halftime rehearsals, did have some words of advice for Rihanna following his award-winning debut on the famous stage.
“Put the right people around you and have fun. That’s basically what it is, making sure you have the right creative people around you,” said Dr. Dre in an interview with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden. “It is an extreme amount of pressure, but it’s fun at the same time. When it’s done, it’s like goosebumps, bro.”
