We need a hip-hop Super Bowl halftime, and the performer should be…
One of the most-watched concerts of the year is in need of a serious reboot. We have just the names for people to consider.
By Kyle Denis, Juwan J. Holmes and Paul K. Barnes
The best time on the musical calendar is happening this week: The Super Bowl Halftime Show. One of the biggest, most-watched annual concerts for the last 30 years, mega pop/rock acts Boyz II Men, Diana Ross, U2, Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Prince, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Katy Perry have headlined the 15-minute set since Michael Jackson reinvigorated the tradition in 1993. (We’ve also heard that they play two halves of a football game before and after, but we have no comment on that.)
The NFL’s massive Black audience and cultural significance through its relationship with hip hop has yet to translate to a hip hop act headlining after all that time, with the exception of the Black Eyed Peas in 2011 (we know, but please tamper down the snide for a moment).
There’s probably for a myriad of reasons: the fact that the NFL doesn’t pay and has tried since forever to keep the show ridiculously “safe” and “family-friendly” (especially since that incident) may have something to do with it. Also, the Black Eyed Peas teamed with Usher and Slash to give what has been generally accepted as the worst halftime show ever (and that says a lot), so that didn’t help for the much-better hip hop acts that could’ve seceded them.
Personally, we’d attribute it to respectability politics as well, but it also didn’t help that most hip-hop or hip-hop adjacent artists have turned down the show since 2017 in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, since his anthem protests led to an (“alleged”) effort to keep him from remaining in the league.
Then, there’s Jay-Z. But we’ve talked about that already. Under Hov and Roc Nation’s controversial tutelage as the league’s entertainment guru in 2019, a hip hop artist has yet to take the helm as the headliner. This year’s headliner, The Weeknd, has confirmed that he won’t have any guests, and added that he wants to (somehow) keep it “PG-rated”, so don’t expect Drake or your favorite rapper to make an appearance.
(also, off-topic, but apparently The Weeknd not only doesn’t get paid by NFL/Roc Nation to put on the show, but had to put forward $7 MILLION? This entire thing gives me scam-level incompetence, but anyway…)
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Still, plenty of hip hop artists have performed as a guest or surprise attraction for the show. Big Boi, Travis Scott, P. Diddy, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., Nelly, Queen Latifah and Usher have all performed for a part of a Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Eventually, if it wants to stay culturally relevant (at least with the younger audience, which it has made an intense effort to), the NFL will have to find a hip-hop artist to take the gig. It didn’t take us long to rift our minds and find possible suggestions, and although we don’t advocate for doing free brainwork for mega corporations to take from, we’ll give this free game for the sake of the culture. We hope someone at Roc Nation or the NFL will heed this by Super Bowl LVI in 2022 (’cause hip hop heads can only snooze through so many more of these.)
Nicki Minaj
It’s difficult to think of a mainstream rapper that could pull off a more expansive Super Bowl Halftime show than Nicki Minaj. Nicki Lewinsky. Nicki The Ninja. Nicki The Boss. Nicki The Harajuku Barbie. Queen. Roman. Whatever title you refer to her as we can all agree that we’re long overdue for Super Bowl Halftime from one of the top rappers of our generation. She could obviously deliver a medley of her big pop hits like “Starships” and “Super Bass,” but in an ideal world, we’d get a lengthy medley of Nicki’s grimiest and most hype verses. Censors be damned. I’m talking about “Lookin Ass Nigga,” “Itty Bitty Piggy,” “Shanghai,” etc.
The illustrious rapper recently celebrated the ten-year anniversary of her debut album, Pink Friday, underscoring just how much she’s accomplished since her arrival in music’s mainstream. Nicki’s career didn’t start with “Your Love” or “Check It Out”, though. The Queens rapper could choose from the three mixtapes of material and featured verses from before her debut album and still have a comprehensive Halftime setlist.
Imagine a giant Barbie dreamhouse as a stage, with each room symbolizing a different style or era. Pop Nicki, Rap Nicki, EDM Nicki, Mixtape Nicki, etc. This could also be an opportunity for her to perform with top-caliber guest stars like Lil Wayne, Drake, Ariana Grande, or Beyoncé. We could even get a historic female rap moment with Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Foxy Brown showing up to perform their collaborations with Nicki. That may be a little more than fan-fueled wishful thinking, but Nicki is more than capable of taking on this show by herself.
The Halftime show has a history of having commemoration/anniversary themes, such as the 1998 show that commemorated Motown’s 40th Anniversary, the 1990 show’s tribute to New Orleans and the 40th Anniversary of Peanuts, and several versions based on different Disney theme park rides. The Super Bowl halftime show would be a perfect way to commemorate Nicki’s historic career and all that she has given to women musicians, her home genre and the music industry in general.
Realistically, my vision for the show may be too outlandish, but it should happen.
Aminé
The NFL should book a hot, near-hometown, star act that would set the tone for the show for years to come. I can’t think of a better enthusiastic, relevant, controversy-less (to most) entertainer than Aminé.
Aminé has the audience, the inter-demographic appeal, the proven radio songs that would do well during a 15 minute set, and just an all around choice that shouldn’t bother anyone (other than conservative-minded music critics, and maybe the One Million Moms-like haters that will no doubt be ready to dial up the FCC regardless.)
Although he’s not the biggest name out there, Aminé is no stranger to the big stage, as evidenced by his two world tours, appearances on the late night show circuit and performing at festivals like SXSW and Treasure Island Music Festival. Plus, next year’s Super Bowl will be just a state over from his hometown of Portland, and probably will be the closest it’ll get for years.
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I’ll admit, he definitely doesn’t have the discography that the mega-stars of years’ past have had. But, neither did Bruno Mars, who teamed up with the Red Hot Chili Peppers more “traditional” act, and put on a surprisingly great show considering he had only been a top music act for five years at that point. Even stars with in-depth, versatile discographies, like Lady Gaga and Prince, didn’t need them as their showmanship and the show’s production made up for it, in addition to successfully appealing to wide audiences, a concept the NFL *loves* to abide by. Aminé could also try to tap collaborators like Charlie Wilson and Disclosure to bring the outside support.
He’s also an easy artist for new viewers to enjoy, and he would have to try hard to bomb. The main issue I found with the last few headliners in Shakira & Jennifer Lopez, Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake is that they put on great performances for people that were already fans, but nothing spectacularly interesting for people that weren’t already familiar with their greatest hits. The Weeknd’s show could change that, but I don’t know if the show’s appeal could survive another mild sing-along concert.
There are plenty of performers that have the professionalism to pull off a Halftime Show, but not many with the intrigue and style to own the stage. The best of the halftime shows had one major component in addition: theatrics. A quick survey of his music videos reflects his ability to get creative.
Aminé might not be the type to (fake) jump off the roof like Lady Gaga, but he has performed in hot air balloons before, and who can forget the anticlimactic, yet dramatic departure of Diana Ross with a helicopter to end her 1996 halftime gig? He could surely find a way to make the show fun and modern.
Let a bit of controversy ensue, hopefully over something more interesting than belly dancing or middle fingers. Make it happen, Jay-Z and Roger Goodell.
Denzel Curry
Many people know Denzel Curry for his high energy songs where he essentially yells his bars, but not to the point of screaming (yes, there is a difference.) Highlights of this include of course his biggest hit “Ultimate”, its energetic twin laced with fun and clever puns “SUMO I ZUMO”, and “BIRDZ”. These tracks would be perfect to set the tone for a high energy, unprecedented Halftime show.
After a segue with the mid energy and lyrical “ULT,” he could shift into his more accessible fun trucks like “BLACK BALLOONS I 13LACK 13ALLONS” and “WISH.” Naturally, Denzel would also have a few moments of tranquility to “cool off” and show his emotional side, seen on songs like “Me Now” and “This Life”. To close out, he could amp it back up and leave with his most message-focused song “CLOUT COBAIN I CLOUT CO13A1N.” It would leave viewers a mix of intrigued, confused and surprised, but that would be fitting.
Throughout his entire set, he could traverse various parts of the stage that are set up to mimic the atmosphere of the tracks he was performing — and elements of his native Miami-Dade County/Carol City culture, too. Denzel is very animated on his own, so I don’t believe background dancers would be necessary for every track but there could be other props or performers that could help bring each environment to life. His diversity in music is why I believe he would register with pretty much all types of viewers watching, and he could do it all while still remaining true to himself as an artist.
Further Reading: “JAY-Z’s Latest Problem: Performative Activism” — Juwan J. Holmes
