The Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time
Why do people attend the Super Bowl? Some of them are truly passionate about football and want to know who'll win the competition. Still, the majority of fans visit this event because of the halftime performance, as the biggest stars of the music industry join it every year. Since the first championship in 1967, the show evolved, giving people impressive performances over the years. From Michael Jackson's show in 1993 to Dr. Dre & company's artistic takeover. Over the years, people saw marvelous returns, impressive collaborations, and even performances with hidden senses. For example, people are still revealing hidden messages from Kendrick Lamar's 2025 Super Bowl Halftime performance. It's not just about dissing Drake and making the whole stadium stand up, but to show something more. In our article, we will stop at the performance of Kendrick Lamar in detail and look over other iconic shows around the NFL's main game.
Why are Super Bowl Shows so Hyped?
The appearance in the Super Bowl Halftime show is a giant success for any artist. It's the main show of the year and a chance to take the most expensive screen time in the US. It wasn't like that at the beginning, as the first halftime breaks were featuring college bands marching. It was accompanied by Andy Williams or Up With People's performances. The breakthrough moment happened in 1993, when Michael Jackson took the stage. He was the first major headliner who did not only change the whole concept of the Super Bowl break, but also increased rates. Around 133 million people were watching this iconic performance, which was a turning point for the whole concept of Super Bowl performances.
Since 1993, it was no longer an average break with marching bands and unremarkable performances. The show delivered by Michael Jackson was energetic and looked like a mini-concert with pyrotechnics, choreographic segments, and other elements, changing the complexion of the whole halftime performance. That show set a standard, saying that every next Super Bowl show must include a performance from the headliner. Moreover, most stars who attended the halftime show had turning points in their careers.
2004 Superbowl Halftime Show and Infamous Wardrobe Malfunction
Not all shows went perfectly, as one infamous accident led to the biggest penalties for an independent broadcast and caused fundamental changes in the whole concept of broadcasting. The incident happened between Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson during their performance. At the final segment, Justin suddenly ripped off a part of Janet's costume, revealing her breast to the crowd. This episode appeared on TV when more than 90 million people were watching the Super Bowl halftime show. The team of Janet called it a wardrobe malfunction, mentioning that it shouldn't happen this way. Justin Timberlake also said that this part went wrong, and apologized for his actions. Still, the incident had consequences. CBS was fined $550,000 for showing this incident live, and MTV, the producer of the show, was banned from broadcasting the Super Bowl.
Janet Jackson’s performance at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
Despite this accident, the 2004 Super Bowl performance is considered one of the best shows in the history of the event. Besides Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson, it featured P. Diddy, Nelly, and Kid Rock, turning it into a multi-genre show, creating a high level of energy with lots of lights, special effects, and unbelievable overall performance. Moreover, it was the first halftime show fully committed to hip-hop.
2022 Super Bowl Performance: Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Many More
The 2022 show is still considered one of the best of all time for multiple reasons. First, it was fully dedicated to one genre: hip-hop. Even more, it was considered a tribute to the West Coast pop culture. Of course, hip-hop musicians were presented in the Super Bowl before, but that year, they were in the spotlight all the time. The main figures of the show were Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, standing out as senior hip-hop musicians. At the beginning of the performance, they appear from the underground, symbolizing how hip-hop rose from a secondary music genre to the #1 choice for millions.
Artists kick off the show from their spots on the opposite sides of the platform. Later other figures appear, as it turns into a large-scale performance.
They started the show with two iconic songs: The Next Episode and California Love. The second track slightly turned into In da Club, performed by 50 Cent, who was hanging on the bar the same way he did in the clip. His segment was followed by Mary J. Blige's Family Affair and No More Drama. At the end of her performance, there were a bunch of boxes within the center of the arena. In a snap, many men in black suits appeared from these boxes, and one of them was Kendrick Lamar. It was a preparation for the song m.A.A.d city, which he performed right in the middle of this group. After that came his song, Alright.
Everyone thought the show was over, but it was just the end of a second segment. Finally, Eminem took the stage, singing Lose Yourself on top of the pod. His appearance was a surprise because nobody expected him to appear on the Super Bowl halftime show. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre were those who ended the performance with Still D.R.E., showing that old-fashioned hip-hop remains on top over modern tracks (Kendrick Lamar is the one who presents the modern generation).
The song choice wasn't random, as all the tracks stand out as anthems of the 2000s era in the rap genre, and even a reference to tough times in the 1990s, including the rivalry between the West Coast and East Coast.
2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show: When Kendrick Lamar Owned the Stage
Outstanding and controversial at the same time, Kendrick Lamar's 2025 Super Bowl performance had dozens of hidden messages, revealing the problems of the modern world and especially modern America. It wasn't just a show with cool dancing segments and selected songs. It was a mind-blowing performance that made people watch it multiple times. Even those who are not familiar with the references were willing to understand Kendrick's message.
At the beginning, Samuel L Jackson, represented as Uncle Sam, takes the stage, claiming that this is the "great American game." It seemed like a claim that football is positioned as the dominant game in the United States. At the same time, the fact that they perform in the middle of the controller when the show is hosted by Uncle Sam says that the system is trying to control Kendrick Lamar. And he knows it.
Moreover, he stands in the middle of the arena that looks like a Sony PlayStation controller. The performance started with Kendrick sitting on top of the car, just like XXXTentacion did during his 2017 freestyle. Moreover, the other song from the performance, peekaboo, started with Lamar standing in the middle of "X," located on the 30-yard line. According to the Roman numerals, 30 is XXX, which is a direct reference to the famous rapper who was murdered in 2018. Moreover, the car Kendrick is sitting on is the car his dad used to bring him and his mom home from the maternity hospital. It means he started the game.
The performers with Lamar on the stage were dressed in costumes with three different colors: white, red, and blue. Fans think it's a hidden association, as all three colors refer to the colors of the American flag. If going deeper, the colors represent the Bloods and the Crips, two gangs having a long rivalry in Los Angeles. Moreover, there's also a theory between the colors. According to it
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White color symbolizes ancestors or those who are no longer in this world.
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Red and blue colors symbolize people who live but have completely different points of view. Some fans consider them as republicans and democrats.
Why does it make sense? In the original music video of Squabble Up, Kendrick talks about ancestors, mentioning they are helping him during his life path. When he performs the same song during the Super Bowl halftime show, he is surrounded by performers in white. They create a dome, protecting him from the outside threats.
The whole show is full of references and hidden senses, as people keep revealing Easter eggs and secret messages. The main message that is clear for now is that the current system should be changed, so people would no longer live under total control of the government and remove the influence of the corporate media machine.
Why Are Super Bowl Halftime Shows More Than Music Performances?
Over the past 20 years, Super Bowl halftime shows have no longer been considered just music shows for entertainment. Every year, musicians deliver solid performances to send strong messages reflecting today's problems of society, paying tribute to those who did this before, and their statements. Moreover, such shows change entertainment standards, creating a show with a top-notch combination of special effects, choreography, and, of course, showcasing iconic tracks that made people go wild. After this outstanding performance by Kendrick Lamar in the middle of Super Bowl LIX, who will set new standards for performances of such level?
Who performed at Super Bowl halftime shows?
What is the point of Selena Williams's appearance during Kendrick Lamar's performance?
Which halftime performance was game-changing?
