With the countdown to Tremendous Bowl 2025 in New Orleans underway, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar as he gears up for his historic halftime efficiency as the primary solo rap artist to headline the present.
The Grammy-winning rapper can have some firm at Apple Music Tremendous Bowl LIX Halftime present, with former TDE labelmate SZA becoming a member of him as a visitor performer for the massive occasion, which can go down heart area on the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9, 2025.
This marks the Pulitzer Prize recipient’s second look on the Tremendous Bowl stage. He beforehand joined Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg at Tremendous Bowl LVI in 2022, when the Los Angeles Rams confronted off towards (and in the end received over) the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Forward of Lamar taking the Tremendous Bowl stage, this is a glance again at a few of the most epic halftime performances from previous many years.
Tremendous Bowl LVIII: Usher, Alicia Keys, Lil Jon and Ludacris
Usher set the Tremendous Bowl stage ablaze in 2024, delivering a high-energy halftime present packed along with his largest hits and signature dance strikes. Acting at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the R&B icon opened with “Caught Up” earlier than gliding by way of classics like “Yeah!,” “My Boo” and “U Obtained It Dangerous.”
The present featured electrifying choreography, a shock roller-skating sequence and star-studded visitor appearances — with Alicia Keys becoming a member of him for a sultry duet of “My Boo” and Lil Jon and Ludacris bringing the A-City vitality for “Yeah!”
Proving his dominance as considered one of music’s best showmen, Usher’s halftime efficiency surpassed Rihanna’s 2023 Tremendous Bowl halftime present because the most-viewed halftime efficiency ever, drawing 123.4 million viewers, in response to Billboard.
Tremendous Bowl LVII: Rihanna
In her extremely anticipated 2023 Tremendous Bowl halftime present, Rihanna delivered a efficiency to recollect. Not solely did she carry out a medley of her hits from atop a floating stage, however she additionally silently confirmed she was pregnant with child No. 2!
The star took the stage in Phoenix dressed head-to-toe in shiny pink, revealing a child bump, turning into the primary pregnant girl to headline the halftime present.
The Grammy winner and her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky, welcomed their first little one, RZA Athelston Mayers, in Might 2022. Their second son, Riot Rose, arrived in August 2023.
Tremendous Bowl LVI: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent
Hip-hop took heart stage on the 2022 Tremendous Bowl in Los Angeles, which introduced collectively a few of the style’s largest icons like Dr. Dre, Lamar, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg with a medley of their hits — plus a shock cameo from beforehand unannounced 50 Cent. The crew additionally paid tribute to a different L.A. legend, the late Tupac Shakur, performing his Dr. Dre-assisted 1995 hit single, “California Love.”
Tremendous Bowl LV: The Weeknd
For the 2021 Tremendous Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — which noticed a restricted capability because of the COVID-19 pandemic — The Weeknd constructed a stage within the stands and carried out solo, taking followers by way of a string of his largest hits. He impressed a wave of memes whereas working by way of a gold maze with a digital camera in his face throughout “Cannot Really feel My Face” (and tweets about his semi-creepy backup dancers) however ended the present with fireworks and a robust reception.
Tremendous Bowl LIV: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira
“Let’s present the world what two little Latin women can do,” Jennifer Lopez captioned a since-deleted picture of the pair on Instagram simply earlier than her exhilarating efficiency with Shakira — they usually did simply that.
The ladies delivered their high-energy 2020 set in Miami, exhibiting off their wonderful dance strikes and musical abilities — together with a particular cameo from Lopez’s daughter, Emme Maribel, who was 11 on the time.
“Sure! Halftime was JOY!!!!!!!!! Sure!!!!! @shakira @JLo all the pieces that is sure,” Pink wrote in a now-deleted put up on X (previously Twitter), with countless celebs following swimsuit in congratulatory posts on social media.
“It is an ideal second in my life, actually,” Lopez instructed Self-importance Honest shortly earlier than the present. “However it’s additionally a good time for Latina ladies to take the stage on the largest all-American occasion, with all the pieces that is happening within the nation proper now.”
Tremendous Bowl LIII: Maroon 5, Large Boi and Sleepy Brown
For his or her 2019 halftime present in Atlanta, Adam Levine and his Maroon 5 bandmates carried out a medley of their hits. Additionally they introduced out Atlanta hip-hop icons like Large Boi and Sleepy Brown, in addition to Travis Scott and the Georgia State College Panther Band.
Following the present, Levine wrote on Instagram on the time: “We thank the universe for this historic alternative to play on the world’s largest stage. We thank our followers for making our goals doable. And we thank our critics for all the time pushing us to do higher. One Love.”
Tremendous Bowl LII: Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake’s 2018 Tremendous Bowl efficiency in Minneapolis at U.S. Financial institution Stadium went off with no hitch, serving to to distance him from the notorious 2004 wardrobe malfunction second with Janet Jackson additional into the previous. The pop star carried out his best hits and paid homage to “Purple Rain” singer Prince (and former Tremendous Bowl headliner) within the late artist’s hometown.
Tremendous Bowl LI: Girl Gaga
Girl Gaga’s 2017 Tremendous Bowl efficiency in Houston at NRG Stadium wowed followers throughout the nation as she labored the gang, belting hits like “Simply Dance,” “Born This Manner” and “Million Causes.” She even pulled off a viral second when she appeared to leap into the stadium to kick off the present.
Tremendous Bowl 50: Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars
The star-studded 2016 halftime present — that includes headliners Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars — will go down as one of the epic performances in Tremendous Bowl historical past. Followers on the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., erupted because the trio delivered a medley of their hits, and Beyoncé and Mars confronted off in an epic dance battle for the Tremendous Bowl’s landmark fiftieth sport.
Tremendous Bowl XLIX: Katy Perry, Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz
Katy Perry arrived on the 2015 Tremendous Bowl halftime stage at College of Phoenix Stadium (now State Farm Stadium) in Glendale, Ariz., using atop a large metallic lion. Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott joined the pop star throughout her extremely acclaimed set, whereas Perry seamlessly transitioned by way of a number of elaborate and colourful wardrobe modifications.
The evening additionally launched an surprising viral sensation: Left Shark, whose offbeat, impromptu dance strikes stole the present.
Tremendous Bowl XLVIII: Bruno Mars and the Purple Scorching Chili Peppers
In 2014, Mars introduced Tremendous Bowl followers to their toes at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., kicking off along with his hit “Billionaire” alongside Health club Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy. The star sang, danced and performed the drums, fascinating the viewers along with his simple stage presence. The Purple Scorching Chili Peppers then joined the 15-time Grammy winner to carry out “Give It Away.”
The unforgettable set introduced in a document excessive of 115.3 million viewers, the biggest viewers in Tremendous Bowl historical past on the time, Billboard reported.
Tremendous Bowl XLVII: Beyoncé with Future’s Baby
Beyoncé pulled out all of the stops for her 2013 halftime efficiency on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. It was leisure at its most interesting because the star carried out hit after hit earlier than bringing out former group members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a long-awaited Future’s Baby reunion the world was ready for.
“There have not been that many ladies which have achieved Tremendous Bowl halftime reveals — I needed to maintain it down for the women,” she instructed CBS, per Billboard.
The efficiency was so epic that the stadium’s energy quickly went out afterward — although officers stated the 2 occasions weren’t associated, in response to the Los Angeles Occasions.
Tremendous Bowl Tremendous Bowl XLVI: Madonna, Nicki Minaj and MIA
Pop icon Madonna took the stage on the 2012 Tremendous Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, performing a string of hits, together with “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer.” She was later joined by LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, MIA and CeeLo Inexperienced.
Whereas followers and celebrities praised the efficiency, controversy erupted after MIA flashed her center finger on digital camera, sparking backlash that considerably overshadowed the evening — and costing the NFL a reported $16.6 million in damages, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Tremendous Bowl Tremendous Bowl XLV: Black Eyed Peas, Usher and Slash
The Black Eyed Peas’ 2011 halftime present at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, acquired lukewarm critiques, largely because of the varied technical difficulties. At one level, Fergie’s mic reduce out, and lighting points plagued components of the efficiency. Nonetheless, the gang’s temper and vitality shifted when Slash and Usher helped revive the gang with shock appearances.
Tremendous Bowl XLIV: The Who
Like different halftime present performers, The Who additionally confronted technical difficulties on the 2010 Tremendous Bowl, which was held at Solar Life Stadium (now Laborious Rock Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Fla. Regardless of a sound delay between the published and visuals, followers have been nonetheless amazed because the legendary rockers managed to shred out classics like “Pinball Wizard” and “Baba O’Riley” — all whereas proving they may command the stage properly into their 60s.
Tremendous Bowl XLIII: Bruce Springsteen and the E Road Band
Bruce Springsteen had turned down earlier provides to carry out on the Tremendous Bowl, however in 2009, The Boss lastly bit the bullet to carry out at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. — and he didn’t disappoint. Springsteen and the E Road Band spent their 12-minute set ripping by way of hits like “Born to Run” and “Glory Days,” making for an unforgettable evening.
Tremendous Bowl XLII: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The beloved singer-songwriter Tom Petty — who died in 2017 — placed on a rock-solid efficiency on the 2008 Tremendous Bowl halftime present at College of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. His setlist included “American Lady,” “I Will not Again Down,” “Free Fallin'” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
Tremendous Bowl XLI: Prince
Go away it to Prince to carry out one of the legendary Tremendous Bowl halftime performances ever.
Throughout the 2007 Tremendous Bowl at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., the “When Doves Cry” singer delivered a jaw-dropping set that consisted of hits like “Let’s Go Loopy” and “Child I am a Star” that includes Florida A&M College’s Marching 100 Band.
Then, in a second of pure magic, Prince sang “Purple Rain” simply because it started to drizzle, making the halftime present all of the extra unforgettable and poignant for the reason that singer died at 57 in 2016.
Tremendous Bowl XL: The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones needed to censor their 2006 halftime present at Ford Discipline in Detroit on the request of the NFL, Final Traditional Rock reported. Mick Jagger was requested to tone it down throughout “Begin Me Up” and “Tough Justice” resulting from their express lyrics, however the band nonetheless managed to placed on an electrifying set.
Tremendous Bowl XXXIX: Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney had followers singing alongside all through his grand one-man band set on the 2005 Tremendous Bowl, which was held on the Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. After the music legend carried out classics like “Dwell and Let Die” and “Hey Jude,” The Beatles legend concluded his iconic set by lighting up the evening sky with fireworks.
Tremendous Bowl XXXVIII: Janet Jackson, Child Rock, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Nelly and Justin Timberlake
Jackson’s 2004 Tremendous Bowl halftime present stays one of the notorious performances in historical past — and never for the visitor appearances by Child Rock, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Nelly.
All anybody might speak about that yr was the now-infamous “wardrobe malfunction” between Timberlake and Jackson that spurred #Nipplegate. The stunning second occurred the second Timberlake unintentionally pulled off a part of the singer’s outfit, exposing her proper breast to the complete stadium and the 140 million viewers who had tuned in for the massive present.
Whereas Timberlake went on to headline the occasion in 2018, the blowback from the incident led Jackson to be successfully blacklisted from future halftime reveals. The *NSYNC alum later issued a public apology to Jackson in 2021.
Happily, the 2 are on good phrases. Within the 2022 Lifetime and A&E documentary Janet, Jackson stated she and Timberlake are “excellent pals.”