Return to Homepage Entertainment: Jack Osbourne at 40 Meghan Markle's father World Series viewers guide Heidi Klum's Halloween costume New TV shows this week Inside 'DWTS' New movies to watch Nathan Fielder's 'masterpiece' Hannity, Earhardt married 'Jay-Z 30' concert series The pick is in. With the first pick in the Super Bowl 61 halftime show draft, Jay-Z and Roc Nation select... Jay-Z.
Since 2019, Jay-Z and his entertainment company, Roc Nation, have been consultants on the Super Bowl halftime show , helping the NFL choose a performer for the annual on-field concert. This year, the three-time Emmy winner has evidently selected himself as the Super Bowl 61 halftime show performer.
For a few years, the Super Bowl halftime show performer was set by the start of October. This year, Halloween drew near before the announcement that Jay-Z will perform on the "World's Biggest Stage" 14 years after his wife, Beyoncé , headlined the Super Bowl 47 halftime show.
Jay-Z's selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer was announced during ESPN's Week 7 " Monday Night Football " game featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles .
"For several years, we've had the privilege of working closely with JAŸ-Z and Roc Nation, and I've seen the extraordinary impact he has had on the Super Bowl Halftime Show," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request: that JAŸ-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him. I couldn't be more excited for fans around the world to experience the artistry, creativity and cultural impact he will bring to the Super Bowl stage."
Jay-Z will have big shoes to fill after each of the last three halftime shows – Usher, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny – landed in the top four most-watched Super Bowl performances of all time, according to Billboard Magazine. Michael Jackson (1993) is the only performer in the top four most-watched Super Bowl halftime shows that Jay-Z did not have a hand in selecting.
The complete list of Super Bowl halftime show performers, dating back to Super Bowl 1 in 1967, is below:
Often referred to as the world's biggest stage, the Super Bowl halftime show can draw upwards of 100 million viewers. But the game-break entertainment wasn’t always the pop culture spectacle it is today. Before Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance, it was mostly marching bands and performance ensembles taking the field. As the world gears up for Bad Bunny’s Feb. 8 performance , we look back at the headliners that helped turn halftime into a full-blown extravaganza. And because the Super Bowl calls for competition, we’re ranking the performances from worst to best, starting with Maroon 5 in 2019 . The controversy between the NFL and player's protesting social justice meant most artists turned down performing at the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta. Maroon 5 (singer Adam Levine, left) was announced only a couple of weeks before the game and the band could only recruit hometown rappers Big Boi (center) and Sleepy Brown (right) to join them. Travis Scott was also a late add after he negotiated a donation from the NFL to a social justice cause.
The Black Eyed Peas (2011) After a stretch of classic rock superstars playing halftime - Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and The Who among them - a new producer was enlisted in 2011 to inject the production with freshness. Instead, we got The Black Eyes Peas. Though at least cameos by Slash and Usher were watchable. Photo by Greg Pearson, USA TODAY.
Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, The Judds (1994) One of the first halftime performances to offer a conglomerate of artists, this grouping was billed as "Rockin' Country Sunday" when it landed at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in 1994. The performance ended with a group singalong to The Judds' "Love Can Build a Bridge."
The Blues Brothers, ZZ Top, James Brown (1997) On paper, putting The Blues Brothers, James Brown and ZZ Top on the same stage held intriguing possibilities. Instead, the 1997 "Blues Brothers Bash" in New Orleans was a mishmash of disparate styles that seemed born out of a marketing meeting.
Patti LaBelle, Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval and Miami Sound Machine (1995) Produced by The Walt Disney Company, sponsored by Doritos and dubbed "Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye," how did this 1995 halftime show in Miami stand a chance? The talent was there in Tony Bennett, Patti LaBelle and the Miami Sound Machine. The logic was not.
Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, Nelly, P. Diddy, Jessica Simpson (2004) Oh, Nipplegate. You will never be forgotten. After Justin Timberlake accidentally exposed a glimpse of Janet Jackson's breast to the world in Houston in 2004, who could remember that Nelly, Kid Rock, Jessica Simpson and - ahem - P. Diddy were also part of the spectacle? Neither will most recall the spectacular game, when the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers with a last-second field goal.
Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton (2000) In Atlanta in 2000, another Disney production, this one dubbed "Tapestry of Nations," teamed Phil Collins singing a song from the "Tarzan" soundtrack - no, not the good one, something called "Two Worlds" - with Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton, apparently there as ambassadors of other "nations."
Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, Boyz II Men, Queen Latifah (1998) The "Salute to Motown's 40th Anniversary" in San Diego boasted Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves (pictured) and The Temptations. But shoehorning Boyz II Men and Queen Latifah in to add a contemporary flair was the definition of unnecessary.
Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (1999) Another forced fusion of artists - Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and dancer Savion Glover - shared in this "Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing" in Miami in 1999. At least fans could enjoy the unlikely pairing of Estefan and Wonder on a mashup of her "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)" and his "My Cherie Amour."
Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting (2003) Shania Twain was ostensibly the headliner for the 2003 halftime show in San Diego, but was suitably upstaged by Gwen Stefani and Sting. Her torso, his hips, a tradeoff of lyrics on The Police classic "Message in a Bottle" ... it's no doubt why Stefani went solo the following year.
The Weeknd (2021) Cut The Weeknd some slack for having to stage his grand production - naturally a highlight of any artist's career - in an empty Tampa stadium in 2021 as pandemic fallout continued. His medley that included "Can't Feel My Face," "Save Your Tears" and "Blinding Lights" - set amid a dance troop in bandaged faces - occasionally dazzled, but mostly left him looking like a third-rate Michael Jackson.
Justin Timberlake (2018) At least Justin Timberlake had the sense to pay homage to Prince while performing at the Minneapolis Super Bowl in 2018, almost two years after the icon died. Some viewers were enraged that Timberlake, long positioned as the villain in Nipplegate with Janet Jackson, was being rewarded with a solo spotlight. Others thought his appearance would equate to an NSYNC reunion. Instead, we were bored by then-new track "Filthy," a limping "SexyBack" and a finale filled with Timberlake taking selfies with the crowd during "Can't Stop the Feeling." Yawn.
Bruno Mars with special guests Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014) No one can deny that Bruno Mars is a preeminent entertainer. And the Red Hot Chili Peppers bring energy, if nothing else, to a stage. But throwing the California band with a predilection for shirtless-ness alongside the Vegas-styled Mars in New Jersey in 2014 for one song ("Give it Away") was another big swing and miss.
Coldplay, guest appearances from Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson (2016) Coldplay is one of the most popular global acts, yet for some reason, the producers of the then-Pepsi Halftime Show in 2016 thought Chris Martin and mates didn't deserve the stage in Santa Clara, California, alone. Nothing like crowding out talent by asking Beyoncé and Bruno Mars (and Mark Ronson) to join Coldplay for an unholy mélange of "Viva La Vida," "Uptown Funk" and "Formation."
Aerosmith, NSYNC, guest appearances from Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly (2001) Though it could have had a more clever name than "The Kings of Rock and Pop," this bizarro world mixture of Aerosmith and NSYNC, later joined by Britney Spears - with a tube sock on one arm that became legend - Nelly and Mary J. Blige for a finale of "Walk This Way" was brought to us by, of course, MTV. The city of Tampa is still chuckling at the absurdity of the spectacle, even though it was in 2001.
Rihanna (2023) Rihanna was nothing but class as she hovered on a futurist-styled platform in a striking red jumpsuit to belt more than a dozen hits from her formidable catalog including snippets of "Where Have You Been" and "Only Girl (In the World)" and a fireworks display during "We Found Love." But while fans in the Glendale, Arizona, stadium in 2023 might not have noticed, those watching on TV were given a sly glimpse at the baby bump Rihanna had zipped under her jumpsuit.
The Who (2010) No classic rock fan would complain about seeing and hearing Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend wallop muscular anthems including "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again," but, for better or worse, the band's 2010 performance in Miami closed the door on the string of veteran rockers headlining halftime.
Usher, guest appearances from Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., Lil Jon, Ludacris, will.i.am (2024) Usher is a consummate showman with a 25-year hit list. He brought suitable razzle dazzle to a show set in Las Vegas in 2024 - fur coats! Roller skates! - but as is all too common with these productions, myriad guest stars dimmed his light. Some performers among the cameos from Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am , Lil Jon and Ludacris nodded to his Atlanta roots. But mostly they bogged down a set that only needed its charismatic leader.
Madonna, guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., Cee Lo Green, LMFAO (2012) Madonna fans clamored for years to anoint their queen worthy of a halftime show. And Madonna certainly didn't need the career boost in 2012 when she finally hit that stage in Indianapolis. The decision to pair her with Cee Lo Green for "Express Yourself" and "Like A Prayer" was brilliant. But Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. - who stole headlines because of her brief bird-flipping - and LMFAO (seriously) had no business being in the same zip code as Madonna.
Kendrick Lamar, guest appearances from Samuel L. Jackson, SZA, Serena Williams, DJ Mustard (2025) Kendrick Lamar is one of the most lauded hip-hop stars in history and his thoughtful production in New Orleans in 2025 defied conventions, dazzled with metaphoric wordplay and jabbed the ears of those who scowled at the idea of a rapper headlining solo. His inclusion of Samuel L. Jackson subtly nodded to politics, longtime pal SZA was his perfect duet foil and Serena Williams' appearance was another clever dig at archrival Drake.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, guest appearances from 50 Cent, Anderson .Paak (2022) From Mary J. Blige's confirmation as one of music's undisputed queens ("Family Affair") to Eminem's loquacious rumblings ("Lose Yourself"), rap arrived at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium in potent fashion in 2022. The rest of this all-star cast – California natives Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and the emperor among them, Dr. Dre – rolled through liquid rhymes ("California Love," "Still D.R.E") with cool precision.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (2008) Though following Prince's legendary performance in 2007 was an unenviable task, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers riveted with the simplicity of their meaty rock classics. A four-song set bracketed by "American Girl" and "Runnin' Down a Dream" and played in full was all anyone needed for their 2008 performance in Glendale, Arizona.
Katy Perry, guest appearances from Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott (2015) Katy Perry might not love the fact that anyone who recalls her 2015 show in Glendale, Arizona, immediately thinks "Left Shark!" and not "I Kissed a Girl" or "Roar." Nor do they necessarily remember she was joined by Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott. But hey, that's showbiz.
Beyoncé, guest appearance from Destiny’s Child (2013) It was, inarguably, a reunion that sent shockwaves around the world. In 2013, Beyoncé was a bona fide solo superstar and her performance of "Love on Top" and "Crazy in Love" was incendiary. But when her Destiny's Child mates - Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams - joined her in New Orleans for a medley of old hits including "Bootylicious," it was a memorable, smile-worthy affair.
Diana Ross (1996) It wasn't the way she arrived at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, in 1996, but the way that she departed that still ranks as legendary, even by Diana Ross' standards. Following a blissful medley of Supremes hits ("Baby Love," "Stop in the Name of Love") and solo smashes ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough"), Ross took her "Take Me Higher" hit literally and hopped aboard a helicopter to whisk her off the field.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2009) Much like Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band also relied on their non-gimmicky muscular rock classics including "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," "Born to Run" and "Glory Days," unleashed with fist-pumping perfection in Tampa in 2009. The stage-sliding antics of Springsteen added an amusing footnote to their performance when a camera angled a bit too directly at his crotch.
Michael Jackson (1993) Michael Jackson is widely credited as saving the Super Bowl halftime show from the cringefests of decades prior with Up with People and marching bands cluttering the field. His 1993 performance in Pasadena, California, was given the ridiculously excessive title "An Unprecedented Super Bowl Spectacular starring Michael Jackson." Except that it wasn't an exaggeration. Jackson's unparalleled showmanship during "Billie Jean," "Black or White" and "We Are the World" with a children's choir adding pathos literally set the stage for the future.
The Rolling Stones (2006) Sticking the Rolling Stones onstage in Detroit in 2006 might have been one of the easiest decisions halftime show producers ever made. There is no downside to watching Mick Jagger slither through "Start Me Up" or Keith Richards slashing his guitar during "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and the Stones proved their iconic-ness once again.
Paul McCartney (2005) Following the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake PR disaster in 2004, panic set in and a new edict landed: Pop stars couldn't be trusted to behave, so dial up the veteran rock gods. Paul McCartney kicked off a six-year stretch of classic rock performers in Jacksonville in 2005, and no one was going to complain about seeing a Beatle singing "Get Back" and "Hey Jude."
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, guest appearances from Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Emme Muñiz (2020) Those grousing about Bad Bunny landing the halftime slot in 2026 might want to think back all the way to 2020 when Colombia native Shakira and Puerto Rican princess Jennifer Lopez thoroughly riveted with a Spanglish set ("She Wolf" and “Chantaje" / "Callaíta" from Shakira and hey, Bad Bunny! "Love Don't Cost a Thing" / "Mi Gente" from Lopez and J Balvin). Their dancing took our breath away, their sexiness and strength would not be denied. This marked the first halftime show produced by Jay-Z/Roc Nation.
Lady Gaga (2017) While Diana Ross will be remembered for her exit, Lady Gaga offered a legendary entrance: Atop the NRG Stadium in Houston and clad in a David Bowie-esque space age leotard and stiletto boots, she belted “God Bless America” and “This Land is Your Land” and recited some of the Pledge of Allegiance before floating down into the stadium on wires. Her breathless romp in 2017 included "The Edge of Glory,” “Poker Face” and “Born This Way,” but the sweetest moment was when she shouted a hello to her parents during a breath-catching "Million Reasons."
U2 (2002) The country was hurting in 2022, barely five months since the Sept. 11 attacks. Leave it to a quartet of Irishmen to soothe our souls. "Beautiful Day" lifted spirits, but when the band launched into "Where the Streets Have No Name," Bono opened his jacket to display the American flag inside and a screen behind the band scrolled the name of every person who died in the tragedy ... no way there was a dry eye in the world.
Prince (2007) As Prince roared through "Let's Go Crazy" and "Baby I'm a Star," he riveted. As he dug into Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and Foo Fighters' "Best of You," he intrigued with his curious cover choices. And as a shower began to pelt the Miami crowd in 2007 and Prince strolled a stage designed in his signature symbol alighted in purple, he mesmerized with a breathtaking "Purple Rain." Simply the best.
Super Bowl halftime shows, definitively ranked from worst to best 1 of 33 Often referred to as the world's biggest stage, the Super Bowl halftime show can draw upwards of 100 million viewers. But the game-break entertainment wasn’t always the pop culture spectacle it is today. Before Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance, it was mostly marching bands and performance ensembles taking the field. As the world gears up for Bad Bunny’s Feb. 8 performance , we look back at the headliners that helped turn halftime into a full-blown extravaganza. And because the Super Bowl calls for competition, we’re ranking the performances from worst to best, starting with Maroon 5 in 2019 . The controversy between the NFL and player's protesting social justice meant most artists turned down performing at the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta. Maroon 5 (singer Adam Levine, left) was announced only a couple of weeks before the game and the band could only recruit hometown rappers Big Boi (center) and Sleepy Brown (right) to join them. Travis Scott was also a late add after he negotiated a donation from the NFL to a social justice cause.
Here is the full list of Super Bowl halftime performances, starting with Super Bowl I.
Super Bowl 1: University of Arizona and Grambling State marching bands
Super Bowl 3: "America Thanks" feat. Florida A&M University band
Super Bowl 6: "Salute to Louis Armstrong" feat. Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Channing, Al Hirt and U.S. Marine Corps Drill Team
Super Bowl 7: "Happiness Is." feat. University of Michigan marching band and Woody Herman
Super Bowl 8: "A Musical America" feat. University of Texas band
Super Bowl 9: "Tribute to Duke Ellington" feat. Mercer Ellington and Grambling State band
Super Bowl 10: "200 Years and Just a Baby" celebrating America's bicentennial
Super Bowl 12: "From Paris to the Paris of America" feat. Tyler Apache Belles, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt
Super Bowl 13: "Super Bowl XIII Carnival" feat. Ken Hamilton and various Caribbean bands
Super Bowl 14: "A Salute to the Big Band Era" feat. Up with People
Super Bowl 16: "A Salute to the 60s and Motown"
Super Bowl 17: "KaleidoSUPERscope" (a kaleidoscope of color and sound)
Super Bowl 18: "Super Bowl XVIII's Salute to the Superstars of the Silver Screen"
Super Bowl 19: "A World of Children's Dreams"
Super Bowl 21: "Salute to Hollywood's 100th Anniversary"
Super Bowl 22: "Something Grand" feat. the Rockettes and Chubby Checker
Super Bowl 23: "Be Bop Bamboozled in 3-D"
Super Bowl 24: "Salute to New Orleans" feat. Peanuts' characters (celebrating 40th anniversary of the comic strip), trumpeter Pete Fountain, Doug Kershaw and Irma Thomas
Super Bowl 25: "A Small World Salute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl" feat. New Kids on the Block
Super Bowl 26: "Winter Magic" feat. Gloria Estefan, Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill
Super Bowl 27: "Heal the World" feat. Michael Jackson and 3,500 local children.
Super Bowl 28: "Rockin' Country Sunday" feat. Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Wynonna and Naomi Judd.
Super Bowl 29: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye" feat. Tony Bennett, Patti LaBelle, Arturo Sandoval and the Miami Sound Machine
Super Bowl 30: Diana Ross - celebrating 30 years of the Super Bowl
Super Bowl 31: "Blues Brothers Bash" featuring Dan Akroyd, John Goodman and James Belushi as well as James Brown and ZZ Top
Super Bowl 32: "A Tribute to Motown's 40th Anniversary" feat. Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Martha Reeves and The Temptations
Super Bowl 33: "Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing" feat. Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Savion Glover
Super Bowl 34: "A Tapestry of Nations" feat. Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton
Super Bowl 35: "The Kings of Rock and Pop" feat. Aerosmith, 'N'Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly
Super Bowl 37: Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting
Super Bowl 38: Kid Rock, P. Diddy, Nelly, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake
The Rolling Stones perform at the halftime of the Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. on Sunday, February 5, 2006. ROMAIN BLANQUART/Detroit Free Press (Via OlyDrop) Super Bowl 41: Prince and Florida A&M marching band
Super Bowl 42: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Super Bowl 43: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Super Bowl 45: The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash
Super Bowl 48: Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Super Bowl 49: Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott
Super Bowl 50: Coldplay, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars
Super Bowl 52: Justin Timberlake, The Tennessee Kids
Super Bowl 53: Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi
Super Bowl 54: Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Emme Muniz
Super Bowl 56: Eminem, Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Recording artists from left Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Super Bowl 57: Rihanna
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jay-Z joins illustrious list of Super Bowl halftime show performers
Source: Sports
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