Last night, Super Bowl LVI concluded with the Los Angeles Rams emerging victorious over the Cincinnati Bengals at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Adding to the California love was the star-studded half-time show, which, for the first time in history, allowed Hip-Hop to grab the spotlight thanks to West Coast Hip-Hop legend Dr. Dre. Joining him were three generations of talent that he helped push to the forefront of culture and the top of the charts.
Starting things off, on top of a building on a set resembling the neighborhood of Compton, Dre and the rapper who made his debut on Dre’s first “solo” single, Snoop Dogg, blessed the crowd with “The Next Episode ” and Dre kicked his verse from “California Love.”
Next, to everyone’s surprise, emerging from one of the houses in the “neighborhood” was 50 Cent, who recreated a classic scene from his “In Da Club” music video and proceeded to perform it surrounded by dancers right out of that environment.
Immediately following Fifty was R&B royalty Mary J. Blige, who sang “Family Affair” and “No More Drama.” Then Kendrick Lamar came out to perform “Maad City” and “Alright” from the middle of a group of dancers who popped out of shipping boxes fittingly labeled “Dre Day.”
After that, Eminem performed his Oscar-winning “Lose Yourself” and closed out his performance by taking a knee in solidarity with Colin Kapernick. Dre then sat at a piano and played the riff from 2Pac’s “I Ain’t Mad At Cha.” (This performance also took place on the 26th anniversary of Pac’s All Eyez On Me, the album on which that song appeared.)
They saved the best for last and ended the historic performance by having everyone join Dre as he performed “Still D.R.E.” The aftermath (pun intended) of this continues to unfold- its meaning for Hip-Hop, the N.F.L., and even the country. However, it’s undeniable that the half-time show was about celebrating Dre’s legacy. And there’s no place better suited for it than a stage as grand as that.
If you don’t understand how Great a moment this was for HipHop ask somebody. Unbelievable 12mins! I’m so proud of my homies.. Y’all did the damn thing! RESPECT to all of you! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/miVTjV4Rfx
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) February 14, 2022
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