Every year, the Super Bowl is the most-watched television show in the country. Thousands of sports fans throw parties just to enjoy the biggest football game of the year with friends and family.
However, millions tune in just to watch the performances, whether that’s the National Anthem or the always anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show.
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This year, Kendrick Lamar is performing at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, which got us thinking about the history of Black performers at the biggest sports event of the year.
Grambling State University Marching Band
Before the most popular artists in the world were lining up to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl, university marching bands were the main attraction between halves. The Grambling State University Marching Band performed at Super Bowl II and performed at six Super Bowls overall.
Florida A&M University Marching Band
The Grambling State University Marching isn’t the only HBCU to shine at the biggest game of the year. The Florida A&M Marching band first performed at Super Bowl III in 1969. They didn’t perform again at the big game until 2005 during the pre-game show.
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald became the first Black woman to perform at the halftime show of Super Bowl VI. She performed “Mack the Knife” along with trumpeter Al Hirt.
Mercer Ellington
The last halftime show that featured Jazz music, Super Bowl IX in 1975 included the Grambling State Marching Band and the Mercer Ellington Orchestra doing “A Tribe to Duke Ellington.”
Southern Univesity Marching Band
It only made sense that the Southern University Marching Band performed at Super Bowl XV at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans in 1981. The theme for the show was “Mardi Gras Festival.” They would perform again at Super Bowl XXIV, also at the Superdome.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston is one of the greatest singers of all time. So it’s no surprise that her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV was one of the most memorable in recent history.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s performance at Super Bowl XXVII set the standard for pop stars performing at football’s biggest night. He showed up singing his biggest hits including, “Billie Jean,” “Black or White” and his verse on “We Are the World” along with the children’s choir. For the first two minutes of the show, MJ stood absolutely still as fans went crazy. That should tell you everything about the stage presence Jackson had.
Patti LaBelle and Teddy Pendergrass
Patti LaBelle and Teddy Pendergrass collaborated for a performance at Super Bowl XXIX with “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye” as inspiration for the show.
Diana Ross
The legendary Diana Ross had an incredible halftime show that displayed every part of her diva personality. She started the show wearing a stunning shiny red dress and made an outfit change in the middle of the show. A true diva. She sang classic R&B ballads like “Stop In The Name of Love,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” and “Baby Love.” But also switched up with pop bangers like “I Will Survive” and “Take Me Higher.”
James Brown
While James Brown was a part of this show, he wasn’t the only musician who performed. The halftime show was titled the “Blue Brothers Bash” and featured performances from ZZ Top and The Blues Brothers band.
Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Martha Reeves and The Temptations
This performance was full of nostalgia as these artists did a cute Motown tribute at Super Bowl XXXII in 1998.
Stevie Wonder and Savion Glover
Like James Brown, Stevie Wonder was not the headlining act for this performance: Gloria Estefan and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy led the way in a “Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing.”
Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton, along with Christina Aguilera, sang a beautiful cover of “We Go On” by Kellie Coffey.
Mary J. Blige and Nelly
Mary J. Blige and Nelly popped out at Super Bowl XXXV to assist Aerosmith, N*SYNC and Britney Spears with their performance.
Janet Jackson, P. Diddy and Nelly
Everyone remembers this performance for the wrong reason. But Janet Jackson still had a great performance. Nelly showed up at the Super Bowl stage for a second time at Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Prince
One of the best live TV performances of all time and arguably one of the best halftime performances in Super Bowl history, Prince showed up to do what he does and gave an incredible performance. His performance of “Purple Rain” at Super Bowl XLI is perfect.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson’s booming voice was perfect for the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XLII.
Usher, Black Eyed Peas and Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm
Usher and the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm assisted the Black Eyed Peas with their halftime performance at Super Bowl XLV. Usher sang his hit record “OMG” along with will.i.am.
LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and Cee Lo Green
The halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI was stacked. The list of performers was insane. LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and Cee Lo Green all appeared at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to assist Madonna with her performance.
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys gave a memorable performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2013 at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. The talented singer impressively showed off her voice and her piano skills
Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child
Queen Bey shut the Super Bowl down when she performed at the Superdome in New Orleans. To no surprise, she had an endless supply of hits she could, including her bangers with Destiny’s Child. Kelly Rowland and Michelle Willaims also made a surprise appearance at the show, performing hits such as “Bootylicious” and “Independent Women Part I.”
Beyoncé (again)
Three years later at Super Bowl 50, Beyoncé did it again. Although Coldplay was the headliner, Queen Bey might’ve one-upped herself with this legendary performance inspired by the Black Panthers. Although it pissed people off in the NFL, fans loved it.
Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight gave a breathtaking rendition of the National Anthem at Super Bowl LIII in 2019, showcasing her iconic voice.
Big Boi and Travis Scott
Super Bowl LIII was in Atlanta, so it’s only fitting an Atlanta legend came out to perform. Along with Sleepy Brown, Big Boi gave an enjoyable performance of “The Way You Move.” Travis Scott’s appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show was brief but still solid. He performed parts of his verse from “SICKO MODE.”
Jazmine Sullivan
If you haven’t Jazmine Sullivan performed live, this might be the next best thing. Her incredible voice rang through televisions across the country as she sang the National Anthem at Super Bow LIV along with Eric Church, although it doesn’t one-up her performance at the World Series.
The Weeknd
Not the most memorable halftime performance in recent memory, but still a solid one from the Canadian pop star. His 2020 album, “After Hours,” was incredible and so many were excited to hear him perform some of the songs live.
Mickey Guyton
In the return to full stadiums at the Super Bowl, country singer Mickey Guyton gave a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent
Probably the Blackest Super Bowl halftime performance of all time, this show was magical. It was absolute perfection that Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles featured so many West Coast legends led by Dr. Dre. The show was a nonstop Hip-Hop party and Black people across the country loved it.
Rihanna
The most impressive and exciting thing about Rihanna’s performance at the Super Bowl in 2023 is that she did it while pregnant with her second child. It was an awesome moment that added to an already fun show.
Usher
Usher was the perfect choice for last year’s Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas. His viral residency in Sin City was praised by all who witnessed it, so naturally, performing at Allegient Stadium during football’s biggest night made perfect sense.
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