Like us, people on social media were glued to their televisions and phones watching Dr. Dre, Mary J Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop, Eminem and surprise guest 50 Cent kill the halftime show.
According to Forbes Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg opened the Super Bowl LVI halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles with “The Next Episode” on the roof of a house-like stage as hundreds of dancers surrounded them to create a block party for the ages.
Joined by surprise guest 50 Cent along with Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, the crew paid homage to some of hip-hop’s biggest hits.
Amid increased tension over racial discrimination within the NFL, the stars made history as the first hip-hop act to headline America’s biggest stage.
At a press conference on Thursday, Dre, whose birth name is Andre Young, stressed the importance of diverse representation in the league and said his halftime show would open doors for more rappers to have the same opportunity.
“Hip-hop is the biggest genre of music on the planet right now, so it’s crazy that it took all of this—and all of this time—for us to be recognized,” Dr. Dre said Thursday.
“We’re going to do it so big that they can’t deny us anymore in the future.”
And they did. With Dre at the helm, the lineup played nine iconic songs during the set including 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” and “No More Drama,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”
Some highlights?
50 Cent made his entrance while hanging from the ceiling.
Kendrick made a nod to Dre’s infamous 2006 diss track about former N.W.A accomplice Eazy-E with his dancers wearing sashes that said “Dre Day.”
Eminem took a knee following his portion of the set, after reports that the NFL wouldn’t allow him to made headlines.
(On Monday, the NFL denied this, saying they were aware he would kneel ahead of time.)
As dancers waved black “Compton” flags on the field below him, Dre closed the show with “Still D.R.E.,” including the iconic lines “Still f*ck with the beats, still not loving police” and “I’m representing for them gangstas all across the world.”
With all that said the reactions were LIT!
Best @nfl halftime show since @prince about time … halftime show better than the teams .. the league and most likely the game
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) February 14, 2022
and
The halftime show message was it’s “It’s a Family Affair” and “We Gone be Alright” because since TFG is gone there’s “No More Drama” but if you understood any of that you would “Lose Yourself” so go drown your sorrows “In Da Club.” pic.twitter.com/51FZi0Ezb2
— Michelle_BYoung (@michelle_byoung) February 14, 2022
and
this the blackest NFL halftime show. happy black history month!
— SLIM. (@_slimarella_) February 14, 2022
and
incredible halftime show at the @NFL #SuperBowl ,what a blue explosion and what a yellow night, but some are not prepared for this! pic.twitter.com/yfLl2hmA07
— @JEAN CARLO GARCÍA (@JEANCAR70352943) February 14, 2022
JayZ was all of us!
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The 50 Cent Memes were everything
50 cent came in like #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/GNbN7WRX74
— Rachel Angelé (@rachelPLZdotcom) February 14, 2022
and
When I saw 50 cent Upside Down ?? #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/rCAXBM7LBF
— TheVibe_Himself (@TheVibeHimself) February 14, 2022
and
50 Cent took the Baton for the 2nd leg of the Halftime show! ??? pic.twitter.com/YEcxaM7pil
— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) February 14, 2022
and
50 CENT AT THE HALFTIME SHOW AND HE DID THE UPSIDE DOWN IN DA CLUB INTRO ???? 5TH GRADE ME IS THRIVING RIGHT NOW #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/OWJA5zpoe3
— Smitty Werbenmanjensen (@ChrEEstosK) February 14, 2022
and
50 Cent hanging there waiting for snoop like: #SuperBowl #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/kGZQjAyX09
— Justin McPhail (@justinmcphai1) February 14, 2022
Lebron was all of us….
also me while watching the halftime show this year! ? galing! https://t.co/yTruYNa5EC
— mhaze (@mhazep_) February 14, 2022
Can we talk about the queen Mary J blige…
mary j. blige performing ‘family affair’ and ‘no more drama’ at the super bowl halftime show ? #SuperBowl
pic.twitter.com/6hwfsJNoSi— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 14, 2022
and
Why Mary J Blige fall like The toys from toy story when Andy gets back ?????????#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/XtyF67VMRX
— Political Scientist C DeSean Gooden (@deseanskii) February 14, 2022
and
Mary J Blige deserves a solo halftime show #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/tNnpE0Qlev
— ?. (@iamcedrica) February 14, 2022
and
Mary J. Blige is stunning ? #PepsiHalftime #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/ilGpETVjlQ
— ?️en Jerry (@BenJeRrY02) February 14, 2022
Mary getting congratulated after her epic performance:
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Not to be left out of the conversation, sir Kendrick…sheesh!
kendrick lamar performing ‘alright’ at the halftime show ? #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/TTa1v2VX7I
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 14, 2022
and
Kendrick Lamar killed understood the assignment at the Super Bowl Halftime show! ?????? pic.twitter.com/zzLgjwYqFF
— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) February 14, 2022
and
Kendrick Lamar with Anderson .Paak’s kid today #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/5ozktQ68Ay
— Hiiipower – TDE News (@hiiipowers) February 14, 2022
Then to round things out, Eminem entered the chat with an explosive performance
Eminem’s iconic #performance at the #SuperBowl Halftime Show?pic.twitter.com/MzbwIJ8adI
— ZONE23 (@ZONE23WORLD) February 14, 2022
and
#Eminem needs his own Halftime show. #SuperBowl #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/T41z3riten
— Kayla Rivera (@Imkaylarivera) February 14, 2022
and
Eminem performing during the halftime show ✊ #SuperBowl #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/UOb4NjaTDq
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 14, 2022
It was also great to see Anderson Paak play during Eminem’s set!
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And then the icons themselves.. THE D.R.E and Snoop
Press play
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And
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Did you watch the Half-Time show? What was your favorite part?
