Icons of hip-hop and R&B lit up the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sunday night during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show – and it didn't take long for reactions to flood social media.
The show was a throwback (the most recent song on the setlist came out nearly seven years ago) and came with a couple of surprise guests, dozens of dancers and, of course, some booty shaking.
The time zone and open-air venue meant it was one of the first Super Bowl halftime shows in memory to be performed in daylight.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg kicked things off with their 2000 collaboration “The Next Episode” and then paid tribute to the late 2Pac by teaming up on “California Love.”
Mary J. Blige sizzled with bits of 2001’s “Family Affair” and “No More Drama.”
Down at field level, Kendrick Lamar delivered his 2012 Good Kid track “m.A.A.d City” and then 2015’s “Alright.” He then joined Eminem and Dre on 2000’s “Forgot About Dre.”
Eminem thrilled the crowd with his 2002 anthem “Lose Yourself” – and surprise guest Anderson .Paak on drums. Eminem appeared to be the only artist to make a political statement when he briefly kneeled à la Colin Kaepernick.
The flawless set ended with the all-star line-up on stage together.
There was some Canadian content on display. Montreal's PixMob provided 70,000 LED laminates to fans as well as the dancers and extras on the field during the show. Overhead was the stadium's massive double-sided 360-degree screen, powered by Ross Video of Ottawa.
Among the celebrities watching the spectacle were music stars like Jennifer Lopez, Ye, Joe Jonas and Canadians Shawn Mendes (with pal Niall Horan), The Weeknd and Justin Bieber.
As Snoop promised days before the halftime show, there were no wardrobe malfunctions.
Also on Thursday, Dre said the performance would have a lasting impact. “We’re going to open more doors for hip-hop artists in the future and making sure that the NFL understands that this is what it should have been a long time ago,” he said.
“We’re going to show how professional we can be, how dope we can be on stage and how exciting we’re going to be to the fans.”
Of course, there have been hip-hop artists in previous Super Bowl halftime shows – Nelly, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Big Boi – but they have usually been paired with pop or rock artists.
This super bowl halftime performance was the most inspiring thing I’ve seen in a long time. I needed this
— lil duval (@lilduval) February 14, 2022
That halftime show.
— Garrett Downing (@gdowning14) February 14, 2022
OMG!!!!!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!! THE GREATEST HALFTIME SHOW IVE EVER SEEN!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 14, 2022
If you knew all the words to that halftime show performance, it’s probably time to start getting ready for bed.
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) February 14, 2022
Strong halftime show. Great concept, loved Dre as the conduit.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 14, 2022
I would have gladly taken more Kendrick and less 50.
For me, Prince remains the standard.
Me looking for my charger under the bed #HalfTimeShow #50cent pic.twitter.com/SNC5qcFVkV
— Robert Ybarra (@robert_ybarra1) February 14, 2022
We can sum up the #SuperBowl Halftime show in one word: Legendary.
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 14, 2022
What a night for hip-hop and R&B on the #SBLVI stage. Musicians coming together is what it’s all about. #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/wDLWLffe0o
The Blackest halftime show ever.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) February 14, 2022
The best halftime show ever.
Lived up to the billing and surpassed it.
Damn. Damn.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) February 14, 2022
I think this halftime show needs to have an asterisk making sure that people realize the difference between this one and everyone every other one in the history of the Super Bowl.
Well done.
Gen X after that Halftime show pic.twitter.com/1ZNvFfXruR
— Andy Bowers (@evilpez4) February 14, 2022
This super bowl halftime performance was the most inspiring thing I’ve seen in a long time. I needed this
— lil duval (@lilduval) February 14, 2022
That halftime show was made for those who recognize these items. pic.twitter.com/iTDN2Yqp8Z
— Matt Viser (@mviser) February 14, 2022