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WATCH The Weeknd Performs Explosive Super Bowl Halftime Show

    TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: The Weeknd performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
    TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: The Weeknd performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

    The Weeknd put on a spectacular halftime show at Sunday's Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay that thrilled fans, likely earned him some new ones, and made Canadians proud.

    "Big moment for the city," fellow Toronto-born artist Drake wrote in an Instagram Story.

    The Weeknd donned a sparkling Givenchy red blazer and black pants, a look he has showcased since the release of After Hours last March, to perform a medley of his hits – “Starboy,” “The Hills,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” “I Feel It Coming,” “In Your Eyes” and “Earned It" – from the upper stands in the end zone of Raymond James Stadium. He was backed by a choir, a string section and plenty of pyro.

    During "Can't Feel My Face," the singer got up close to the camera inside a dizzying funhouse-style space under the stands. The segment sparked countless memes on social media.

    As "House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls" played, The Weeknd made his way down to the field to close the show with dozens of doppelgänger dancers for a frenzied, fiery version of his smash “Blinding Lights.”

    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Despite some early sound issues, the show was flawless and, as he had promised, cinematic and PG-rated. Plus, The Weeknd sang live.

    Among those watching in person in the stadium was Ciara, as well as cardboard cut-outs of stars like Billie Eilish, Ozzy Osbourne, Eminem and DJ Kahled.

    MORE: The Weeknd's Super Bowl Show Inspired Memes

    The Weeknd was the fourth Canadian artist to perform at a Super Bowl halftime show – following Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer and Shania Twain – but the first Canadian artist to headline alone. He was also the first Black artist to headline the halftime show since Beyoncé in 2013 and – with only nine days until his 31st birthday – the youngest halftime headliner since Lady Gaga in 2017.

    Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

    The Weeknd’s Super Bowl debut was honoured with the declaration of "The Weeknd Day" in his hometown.

    “Millions of people will be watching him and cheering him on but we know Scarborough, a community he continues to support, will be cheering the loudest,” Toronto mayor John Tory wrote in his proclamation.

    BELOW: Watch The Weeknd Perform At Super Bowl

    Check out some of the early social media reactions to The Weeknd's performance:

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