It was a fitting nod to the hometown heroes and influential figures in the rap genre, as well as a celebration of the evolution of hip hop over the last three decades. Eminem, J. Mary Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre took the stage for an electrifying halftime show at the Super Bowl on Sunday night, centering on the legacy of West Coast rap and their significant contributions to the genre.
The first halftime show marked a significant moment in the league’s race around growing tensions, as well as the racial injustice and police brutality demonstrations. Many felt alienated by Colin Kaepernick’s stance on the national anthem, and the NFL’s bid to connect with artists and fans saw a move to have an entirely hip hop lineup of headliners for the show.
These are the top and bottom moments of the halftime show in 2022.
Unforgettable was a show created for Paak .Anderson and Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and local heroes like Dr. Dre, the influential figure of West Coast rap. The lineup of talent showed their love for the city of Angels in a clear and powerful way. They took to the stage to perform “California Love” and Snoop Dre’s involvement was evident, showcasing a prideful outpouring of West Coast spirit. The show was adorned in gold and blue, representing the Rams, and Snoop Dogg even incorporated choreography into the set. The halftime show featured nods to iconic landmarks in the Los Angeles area, such as Tam’s Burgers and the legendary music venue Dark After Eve in Compton. It has been 29 years since the Super Bowl was hosted in the Los Angeles area, making this show even more special.
Top: Unexpected shows by 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak
During Eminem’s dynamic performance of “Lose Yourself,” pure joy emanated as he played the drums. Meanwhile, Anderson .Paak recreated the music video for “Club,” hanging upside down from the top of the set. He even went so far as to perform a rousing rendition of Da In’s “Club” during the halftime show, making prominent surprise appearances alongside 50 Cent. If it wasn’t already a show headlined by five hip hop titans, Anderson .Paak and 50 Cent added to the wealth of talent on display.
Top: The commemoration of Dr. Dre and three decades of hip hop
“Still D.R.E.” Is a testament to Dre’s skill as a writer, with credits going to him for the verses. Throughout his early years, Dre closely worked with rapper Jay Z, who has long been his protege. Even on Dre’s debut solo album, Snoop, who Dre has helped launch and build his career, is featured. In many cases, Dre’s strong support has made him and his co-headliners successful. Dre is not just a mentor and collaborator, but also a producer and artist in his own right. Over the last three decades, he has evolved and grown in the hip-hop industry, showcasing a rich display of how hip-hop has evolved. Thanks to Dre’s huge influence, his musical legacy is evident and celebrated, making “Still D.R.E.” A nostalgic and high-time experience for all.
Top: Eminem kneels down
The visual dialogue was powerful and meaningful, as Eminem joined Kaepernick in kneeling in solidarity, although he did not explicitly state it. It was a charged moment when Eminem knelt on stage after his performance of “Lose Yourself”, similar to Kaepernick’s symbolic kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, which has become a demonstration against racial inequality and police brutality.
Terrible: Kendrick Lamar’s absent verse regarding law enforcement
In the Dr. Dre show, many noticed the noticeable absence of the rapper or the network later found out that it was censored if it’s unclear whether Lamar’s lyric about police brutality was explicitly calling out police hate (“po-po” And”) While dealing with racist violence and injustice, the song “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar, released in 2015, served as a rallying cry against police brutality, becoming a protest song for the Black Lives Matter movement and the national reckoning with structural inequality and police violence in 2020.
The unfortunate neglect of the vast abilities of Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar
Despite their limited stage time, the exceptional talents of Blige and Kendrick Lamar were overshadowed at this particular show. It is unfortunate that there was insufficient time to fully showcase the impressive repertoire of both artists, including Blige’s chart-topping hits “No More Drama” and “Family Affair,” as well as Lamar’s acclaimed tracks “m.A.A.D. City” and “Alright.” Nevertheless, despite their short performances, both artists delivered phenomenal shows.