Halftime Performance

7 Artists Fans Are Begging To Perform A Super Bowl Halftime Show

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As the pinnacle of sports entertainment, the Super Bowl halftime show has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right, capturing the attention of millions of sports fans worldwide. Each year, speculation and anticipation swirl around which artist or bands will take center stage, delivering unforgettable performances with incredible choreography and performative set-pieces. Amidst the fervor, only a select few acts can take the stage each year, with headliners often bringing surprise guests in the form of frequent collaborators.

From iconic pop sensations to boundary-pushing hip-hop legends, the list of desired performers is as diverse as it is dynamic. With modern audiences hungry for spectacle, here are seven artists whose fanbases are clamoring for a chance to dominate the Super Bowl halftime stage, igniting imaginations and fueling dreams of legendary performances to come.

7. SZA

SZA has amassed billions of streams on Spotify, headlined countless worldwide performances, and recently took home a number of Grammy Awards for her chart-topping 2023 album SOS. The acclaimed singer songwriter is currently at the top of her game, making this the perfect time for her to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. With Kendrick Lamar having left TDE, SZA is arguably the most prominent artist on the label, and will certainly remain the case as her deluxe version of SOS, titled Lana, is expected to drop some time this year.

The release of Lana will no doubt reinvigorate the popularity of already-massive radio hits such as “Kill Bill,” “Snooze,” and “I Hate U” as well as deliver on a number of new ear-worms for audiences to put on repeat. SZA’s massive following of fans and supporters would no doubt turn out in droves to see her take the stage.

Read More: SZA’s “Kill Bill” Among Bill Nye’s Top Songs Of 2023

6. Adele

Despite her massive star power, Adele has never performed at a Super Bowl halftime show. Of course, that’s not due to the NFL’s lack of trying, as the singer was approached to headline Super Bowl LI back in 2016, and ultimately declined. Apparently, the “Rolling In The Deep” singer felt that the halftime show is more inclined for a high-energy artist who can dance and is largely “not about music.” Certainly, Adele’s voice, lauded as one of the best, may not necessitate a series of high-intensity movements for the ideal halftime performance.

If she were to take the stage, set designers could likely organize a visually stunning show with background dancers, pyrotechnics, and moving parts, which don’t require Adele to take her attention away from the microphone. Regardless, her millions of fans worldwide would surely support her decision.

5. André 3000

Like Adele, André 3000 once turned down the Super Bowl halftime performance offer as one half of the duo OutKast, due to strict rules the NFL wanted to impose on the performance. Now, nearly 20 years after the iconic duo has split up, André 3000 could serve as a perfect solo halftime headliner. Big Boi took the stage in 2019 in a dual performance with Travis Scott and Maroon 5, making André the only remaining member not to appear at the event.

Three stacks dropped an album of resonant flute instrumentals last year that influenced hip hop heads from across the globe to experiment with their music taste, taking in jazz, lo-fi, and sultry funk tones. With the rapper turned flutist officially coming out of retirement, it would certainly bridge genre and generational gaps to see tracks like “That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control 
 Sh„t Was Wild” on the Super Bowl stage.

Read More: Andre 3000 “New Blue Sun” Review

4. Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is an acclaimed young artist with a ravenous fanbase of loyal supporters, who could easily take on a Super Bowl halftime performance in the coming years. The star, who launched her career when she was just 14-years-old, has successfully blended genres to make hit songs which resonate with a wide array of audiences. While the singer songwriter is now 22, her musical goals seem as lofty as ever.

Currently, Bruno Mars holds the title for youngest halftime headliner, for performing at the NFL-hosted event at the age of 28 back in 2010. If any artist is poised to carry that torch, it’s Billie Eilish.

3. Lil Wayne

Super Bowl LVI earned its place in history as the game with the first true hip-hop halftime show, featuring iconic artists such as Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and more on the SoFi Stadium stage in sunny Los Angeles. Of course, many hip hop fans felt that one highly acclaimed rap artist was missing from the roster, in the form of Lil Wayne.

Wayne’s decades-long career boasts enough hit records to headline 5 Super Bowl halftime shows, and his enthusiasm shows as he expresses excitement at the thought of being invited. Super Bowl LIX, slated to bring the big game to Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans next year, could provide the perfect opportunity to bring the “6 Foot 7 Foot” rapper on board to headline. Additionally, a Lil Wayne headliner could mean guest appearances from some of his frequent former-Young Money collaborators like Nicki Minaj, Tyga, and Drake, in a giant display which would almost surely break the internet.

Read More: Lil Wayne Reiterates Desire To Headline 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show

2. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has shown this past football season how much her star power can influence the NFL, just from her showing up in the stands. The pop singer’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been the source of endless media coverage, uniting NFL football fans and Swifties in a harmonious combination of entertainment and sport. Swift taking the stage as a headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show seems like a no-brainer at this point, considering she is arguably the biggest star in the entire world right now.

Of course, we’ll have to see where her relationship with Kelce goes, as well as how the upcoming season of football plays out, with the Chiefs seemingly carving out an unbeatable dynasty in the vein of Tom Brady’s illustrious run with the New England Patriots. Another Travis Kelce Super Bowl win, with his superstar girlfriend headlining the halftime show, would easily be the biggest moment in NFL history.

1. Jay-Z

Jay-Z has partnered with the NFL through his Roc Nation multimedia company to curate halftime performances since 2020, after the 2019 show was criticized for being out-of-touch with fans. As the NFL’s Live Music Entertainment Strategist, Jay-Z has humbly chosen not to take the stage himself, as he felt it would be too self-aggrandizing in his first few years with the role. However, Jay’s millions of fans worldwide would surely go head-over-heels for a Super Bowl halftime performance of “Empire State of Mind” or “N****s In Paris.”

Jay-Z responded to questions about headlining a Super Bowl halftime show with a nebulous “maybe one year,” indicating a potential willingness to come out of retirement and rock the NFL stage. It should go without saying that Jay-Z’s catalogue could allow dozens of high-profile guest artists to join in as well, including Kanye West, Eminem, Nas, The Lox, and especially his super mega-star wife, BeyoncĂ©.

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Usher Is Reportedly Planning To Announce Global Tour Following Super Bowl Performance

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Usher is taking the world by storm, literally. According to an exclusive report from Billboard, there are strong indications that Usher is on the verge of embarking on his first global concert tour in nearly a decade. According to sources close to the Grammy-winning artist, he might choose the grand stage of the Super Bowl to unveil this exciting news. These sources have revealed that Usher’s team has been diligently securing arena reservations in various corners of the world, hinting at the scale and magnitude of this upcoming tour.

Moreover, Usher’s potential tour announcement at the Super Bowl would not be the first time an artist has utilized this high-profile platform to unveil significant news. In fact, Lady Gaga set the notable precedent back in 2017 when she electrified the world by revealing her tour plans right after her unforgettable Super Bowl performance. This historical context adds another layer of intrigue to Usher’s impending Super Bowl appearance and tour announcement.

Read More: Usher Shares His Excitement For Super Bowl Halftime Performance

Usher’s Halftime Performance Will Be Legendary

BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 25: Usher performs onstage during his residency at La Seine Musicale on September 25, 2023 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

Subsequently, the spotlight is firmly fixed on Usher as he gears up to headline the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show. As HNHH previously reported, in a recent interview with CBS Mornings, the R&B sensation expressed his profound excitement and anticipation. He shared that performing at the Super Bowl Halftime had been a lifelong dream, and the realization of this dream holds immense significance for him.

Another reason he’s likely excited, is due to the fact that he will be dropping an album, Coming Home, on the same day of his performance. This album marks his ninth studio album and also his return to the music scene after a hiatus since 2016’s Hard II Love. As Usher’s tour plans, album drop, and Super Bowl halftime performance has anticipation building among the people, the world eagerly awaits the official announcement that is bound to set the entertainment world abuzz. Let us know your thoughts on Usher’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance!

Read More: Usher Will Release New Album On Super Bowl Sunday

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Stephen A. Smith Talks Halftime Show: Rihanna “Ain’t BeyoncĂ©â€

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The Navy is fired up this morning after hearing what Stephen A. Smith had to say about Rihanna. We’re less than one month away from Super Bowl LVII, which will also host a performance by the icon. People have speculated what the Fenty billionaire will bring to the stage, and Smith weighed in during a recent interview. His comments quickly spread like wildfire.

While on Sherri, Smith was asked if he was excited about the halftime show. “I don’t want to say I’m not excited,” said Smith. “She’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this.”

Read More: Jay-Z Will Help Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

“Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things,” Smith continued as he referenced Rihanna. “She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new mamahood.” The audience was co-signing the compliments before Smith shook things up.

“There’s one thing she’s not: she ain’t BeyoncĂ©,” the commentator added to an audibly shocked crowd. Sherri Shepherd jumped in to praise Rihanna’s talents.

“The only reason I brought up BeyoncĂ© is because BeyoncĂ© recently performed at the Super Bowl,” he replied. “And without Bruno Mars and Coldplay.”

SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 09: In this image released on November 9, Rihanna attends Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video at Allied Studios on November 08, 2022 in Simi Valley, California; and broadcast on November 9, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video)
Read More: Rihanna Drops Super Bowl Halftime Show Trailer

As the audience’s reaction almost overpowered the conversation, Shepherd also said this was Rihanna’s time, not Bey’s.

“Rihanna’s coming back, she’s got that extra oomph of motherhood. I like Rihanna!” said the talk show host.

Smith was unmoved. “I like television, I like a lotta talent out there. There’s some spectacular females in television, I just wanna say that. Everybody ain’t Sherri. That’s not throwing shade on them! That’s appreciating their greatness but understanding there’s levels.”

NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Singer Beyonce performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Read More: Rihanna Shows Off Super Bowl Halftime Show Merch As Her Return To The Stage Nears

“Rihanna’s music is fantastic. She’s great, she’s a sister. I love her dearly, I listen to her music. I’m gonna support her ’til the cows come home! I’m just telling you, for me, there’s BeyoncĂ©, there’s everybody else.”

He also mentioned Michael Jackson’s status, suggesting everyone else falls under the late icon.

This hot take certainly set off social media, so check out the clip above and a few reactions below.

Everyone’s Parents Had Thoughts About Big Sean’s Thanksgiving Performance

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Big Sean Thanksgiving Day Performance Lion's Game
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As a Detroit native, it makes perfect sense that the recently-free from GOOD Music Big Sean would be the artist tapped to perform a halftime show during today’s Lion’s game, aka their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Chicago Bears. But what performances like this one always seem to evoke, is the best reactions from parents who aren’t normally tuned into the hip-hop world. Plenty of parents are off work and at home with their children on a holiday like today, and it seems that every single one of those otherwise attentive parents had thoughts about just what was going on when Big Sean hit the stage.

In a unique start, Sean began his performance from the stands, surprising fans who were in the area:

Although it might look like they were unenthused by the performance, perhaps they were just surprised? Hell, most of us haven’t been to a massive arena show for a year and a half at this point, so these fans might just be rusty. Or already annoyed because the Lions are, frankly, not doing their best today. However, all the parents at home were letting their kids know their thoughts on the show, and those children took action the only way that makes sense when you’re stuck at home on a holiday — posted it on Twitter. Since Sean brought out his own parents to close out the performance, it’s only right everyone else’s weighs in. Check out some reactions below.