This time the NFL banged it all out!
After a disappointing Super Bowl halftime show in 2021 with the Canadian pop singer The Weeknd (31), the biggest sporting event in the world is coming this time with five (!) US superstars around the corner: the rap giants Eminem ( 49), Snoop Dogg (50), Dr. Dre (56), Kendrick Lamar (34) and R&B queen Mary J. Blige (51).
Only problem: the sound in the stadium is – like last year – very bad. You hardly understand anything about the rapped words. In addition to the frustration in the stadium, there is TV frustration on German television – at ProSieben, the sound is clearly offset at the beginning.
However, the stars will set off fireworks!
Pleasantly minimalist: A white stage set is set up on the field that is reminiscent of a typical American street – including cars. The artists perform on the roofs of the individual houses and in front of them. No big laser or light effects. The clear message: They should be the main actors! They are only supported by dancers.
dr Dre and Snoop Dogg kick off with the classic The Next Episode, then follow up with California Love. The 100,000 fans in the SoFi Stadium romp – and then it really starts! 50 Cent agrees and burns his classic “In da Club” onto the stage.
Then Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar heat up! Blige’s mega hit “Family Affair” is followed by “No More Drama”. Lamar raps “Alright.”
dr Dre conducts the audiencePhoto: Kevin C. Cox/AFP
Finally, the highlight everyone has been waiting for makes its grand entrance: Eminem! The rap star brings the hut to a boil with “Lose Yourself”.
The grand finale has it all! All five superstars gather on one of the rooftops, perform the super hit “Still Dre”.
At the end of the show, all the stars are unitedPhoto: Getty Images
Conclusion: The show is more convincing because of its big names, which sweep the crowd – also because of their connection to LA. The big spectacle and the mega effects à la Michael Jackson are missing this time. Disappointing that one has not learned from the sound problems in the last year.
The NFL had kept the exact content of the show top secret beforehand. Out of fear of espionage, the area around SoFi Stadium was bombed with excessively loud and bass-heavy music during rehearsals – songs by Bon Jovi and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others, were played. This is how the music in the stadium should be drowned out.
Surprising: The five superstars completely waived the fee before their big performance. The advertising impact of the world’s largest sporting event with 800 million viewers was more important to them.
Before kick-off, Jhené Aiko (33) and Mickey Guyton (38) caused goosebumps. R&B singer Aiko sang the patriotic song “America the Beautiful” and country superstar Guyton sang the US national anthem.