By Brandon Ladd
“California Love” was on full display during the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Feb. 13, as Dr. Dre and his label, Aftermath Entertainment, took the stage at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg all headlined the first-ever rap-only halftime show for a Super Bowl. The show was a great success in being a tribute to the rap scene that Compton has produced in the past four decades, as the west coast street scene was tributed.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg started off the performance with their most popular song “The Next Episode,” as the song was performed on a replica stage of the Compton nightclub, Eve After Dark. The two shared a smile as they performed the song from 2000 and brought the audience to life. It was the most fitting way to start the performance, as the beat to the song and the two legendary rappers rang out through the stadium.
The two ended the opening set by pointing down to the surprise performer for the halftime show, 50 Cent. He was hanging upside down in a club scene as he began to perform his most popular single, “In Da Club.” Then the performance went back on top of the stage as it was passed to Blige. She sang multiple songs and was stunning as the only female artist in her sparkling outfit.
Lamar’s opening song was “M.A.A.D City,” as the Compton-based song brought the younger audience to its feet. The song is a staple of the college scene and was the correct way to introduce the younger rapper. His dancers were the best and provided a nice visual off the stage.
Eminem was the last of the artists headlining to appear and received the loudest rise of the crowd, as he performed his song “Lose Yourself.” The song brought the entire performance into perspective. All the artists on the stage came from much less and this was the opportunity of a lifetime for each of them. The song captures how a rapper may have just one chance in life and they have to capture it before it slips.
This performance most definitely captured that chance.
This is not a review article though, this is a statement on how the NFL found itself intertwined in a culture it just does not understand because it cannot control. Eminem took a knee in reference to former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, who many believe was pushed from the NFL following taking a knee during the National Anthem throughout the course of a season. It was a powerful statement, especially from a white rapper who has always been around and in black culture. Eminem at the end of the day is as strong of an ally as possible. A real-life example of how the rap scene and powerful African-American producers, like Dr. Dre, have given him a chance at his dream.
It has been reported that the NFL was against the knee and several other elements that Dr. Dre wanted to add to the overall performance. The NFL has denied this but still, it has created a talking point that the league has tried so hard to overcome in past years. The best part of this halftime performance was the buzz it created afterwards. The conversation around minority hires in the NFL recently can continue and work towards eventual resolution. The conversation of an inclusive sport can keep being pushed to the forefront. Halftime was a success and the music was awesome.
Photo from NFL via YouTube
