13 Best Hip-Hop Halftime Performances

In 1998, Queen Latifah was considered one of a slew of performers chosen to pay homage to the legacy of Motown Records throughout the Super Bowl XXXII halftime present. Performing her music “Paper,” which contains a pattern of the Motown basic “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Latifah made historical past as the primary rapper to hit the stage on the Super Bowl, opening yet one more door for hip-hop.

Coming off the heels off his wildly profitable debut album Country Grammar, Nelly joined music royalty throughout the Super Bowl XXXV halftime Show. In the midst of ‘N Sync, Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige becoming a member of Aerosmith on stage for a rendition of their hit “Walk This Way,” Nelly got here out of nowhere, dropping the opening verse from his personal hit single “E.I.” over Steven Tyler’s rollicking guitar riffs.

Diddy and Nelly co-starred alongside the likes of Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, and Justin Timberlake throughout the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime present in 2004. Performing a medley of Bad Boy’s greatest hits, together with “Bad Boy for Life,” “Diddy” and “Mo Money Mo Problems,” Diddy was joined by Nelly, who lit the group on fireplace with a quickstrike from his 2002 hit, “Hot in Herre.” It was a historic second that is sadly been overshadowed by Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s Nipplegate controversy.

“Boom Boom Pow,” “Pump It,” “Let’s Get It Started” and “Where Is The Love?” are just some of the picks The Black Eyed Peas carried out throughout their headlining efficiency throughout the Super Bowl XLV halftime present at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In addition to rockers like Slash, The Black Eyed Peas had been additionally joined by Usher, who popped as much as carry out his will.i.am collaboration “OMG” earlier than the Peas closed issues on a excessive notice with a reprise of their sing-along smash, “I Gotta Feeling.”

In 2011, Rihanna carried out throughout the NBA All-Star Game halftime and introduced alongside a number of shock visitors to show up the vitality. Drake was the primary shock—he spit his verse from her Rih’s single, “What’s My Name.” The Bajan singer later summoned Kanye West for a efficiency of “All Of The Lights.”

In 2012, Nicki Minaj appeared alongside Madonna and M.I.A. for a rendition of “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” their collaboration from Madonna’s MDNA album, throughout the Super Bowl XLVI halftime present.

Atlanta consultant Ludacris served as a musical ambassador for his stomping grounds throughout the NCAA Final Four 2013, which was held at Centennial Olympic Park. Billed alongside a various checklist of acts that included Sting and Dave Matthews Band, Ludacris pulled out all the stops, turning up with signature cuts like (*13*) “What’s Your Fantasy” and “Roll Out,” displaying the attendees a little bit of southern hospitality in a giant method.

During the Super Bowl XLIX halftime present at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Katy Perry gave the group and viewers a nice shock when she introduced out Missy Elliott. The rap legend had been comparatively quiet on the music entrance for a lot of the earlier decade, carried out a medley of her greatest fan favorites, with songs like “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It” and “Lose Control.”

Hip-hop was in full power throughout the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend, as Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams had been tapped to hit the stage and participate within the festivities. Kendrick, who headlined the Saturday evening of the All-Star Weekend, carried out a medley of hits, together with “M.A.A.D. City” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” previous to the Sprite Slam Dunk, whereas Pharrell Williams joined Janelle Monae and Earth, Wind & Fire throughout All-Star Game participant introductions.

In 2015, legendary spitter E-40 placed on for The Bay by performing throughout halftime of the collection opening match-up between his hometown squad’s Golden State Warriors and LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Hitting the group with bangers like “Tell Me When To Go” and “Choices,” E-40 sprinkled his swagger everywhere in the court docket, maybe offering an vitality enhance that helped Steph Curry’s squad to win the collection in six video games, giving the workforce its first NBA title in a long time.

Brooklyn rapper Desiigner took his skills Uptown when he carried out at Rucker Park in 2016 throughout the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic. With a standing-room-only crowd flocking to the court docket, the G.O.O.D. Music signee delivered a charged-up efficiency of his breakout hit “Panda.”

Flo Rida might have made his bones popping out of the Florida rap scene, however the rapper confirmed Golden State Warriors followers time by delving right into a set that ran the gamut of his greatest hits throughout the second recreation of the 2017 NBA Finals. “My House,” “Good Feeling” and his Sage the Gemini collab “Game Time” had been among the many tracks that Flo Rida pulled out of his seize bag of hits throughout his efficiency, which acquired everybody from children to the Warriors cheerleaders concerned.

Dr. Dre unfold California love throughout his headlining set on the 2022 Super Bowl. The hip-hop icon together with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige delivered memorable performances on the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show on the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Among the highlights included Eminem kneeling after performing his Oscar-winning music “Lose Yourself” in honor of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Of course, we won’t overlook Ok-Dot’s militant efficiency of “Alright.”