The Super Bowl is not just the biggest sporting event in the United States each year. It’s one of the grandest sporting events globally. You can also add that the Super Bowl is also a cultural phenomenon. Besides the game itself, there’s one thing that captivates the attention of just as many people. It’s the celebrated halftime show. Over the years, this mid-game break has transformed into an entertainment spectacle, drawing millions of viewers worldwide. Some performances have changed the face of the world (literally), whilst others have etched unforgettable memories into the minds of viewers. Without further ado, here are the top Super Bowl halftime shows.
SB XXXVIII, 2004 – Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson
No list of memorable Super Bowl halftime shows would be complete without mentioning the performance that led to the coining of the term “wardrobe malfunction”. Let’s address the elephant in the room first. In the final moments of the event, as Justin Timberlake finished his song Rock Your Body, he should have pulled off a part of his co-star’s costume. However, a malfunction happened and the lady singer became partially exposed.
TV networks panicked and prevented anyone from uploading material online. That’s a big reason why YouTube was invented, so sharing viral and relevant videos could become easier.
The wardrobe malfunction overshadowed a very cool show. It had Nelly, Kid Rock and a few others. However, due to the incident, this will probably forever be a top Super Bowl halftime show memory for many people.
SB XLI, 2007 – Prince
No list of memorable Super Bowl halftime shows would be complete without Prince at the Dolphin Stadium in Miami. The pop rock icon delivered what many consider the greatest Super Bowl halftime show of all time.
Just imagine, it’s raining and Prince performs a setlist that includes “Purple Rain. How could it not be epic?
His performance, especially of the aforementioned song in the rain, was so iconic that it has since become the gold standard for halftime shows.
SB XXVII, 1993 – Michael Jackson
How could we make a list of top Super Bowl halftime shows without the King of Pop? Right at the start of the 1990s, the Super Bowl had a bit of a problem. It had severe competition for viewer attention with a programme called In Living Color. The NFL decided to not muck about and pulled out all the Aces from their decks, asking the biggest music star in the world at the time, to perform during the halftime show. He accepted and set the standard for what a modern Super Bowl halftime show should look like.
Jackson’s electrifying performance featured legendary hits like “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” and a heartfelt rendition of “Heal the World” with 3,500 children taking the stage. This is the time when the halftime show became a must-watch pop culture occurrence.
SB LVI, 2022 – Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent & others
As the Super Bowl went to SoFi Stadium in LA, it wouldn’t be proper to not highlight LA’s finest musical export – West Coast hip hop. So Pepsi’s halftime show featured heavyweights from California in Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg, rap’s caviar from Detroit in Eminem and the always electrifying 50 Cent from Jamaica Queens in NYC. This super-talented roster of artists raised the roof and their performance was met with fan appreciation and critical acclaim alike.
Hits like The Next Episode, In da Club, M.A.A.D City, Forgot About Dre and Still D.R.E. got the crowd and millions of viewers at home excited for the 2nd half of the game. As of recent years, this is considered the peak of Super Bowl halftime shows.
