Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar – the line-up of the halftime show at the Super Bowl has it all this year. But the NFL is also showing courage with its choice, finds ran writer Tim Brack.

Munich – They say there were times when toilet flushes determined the sound of the Super Bowl halftime. In this gloomy era, the break until the restart was not reserved for bombastic shows, but almost exclusively for football fans going to the toilet.

But the marketing and entertainment potential was then quickly recognised. Since then, the halftime show has been a sweet vice for many, providing access to the sport even for those less interested in football.

Of course, in the long history of the halftime spectacle, there have been one or two performances that were – well – something for the loo (you’re meant, Maroon 5), but memorable moments have also been created. Mostly thanks to Prince, U2 and Beyonce.

Five number one picks on stage at the Super Bowl

Only a few minutes are needed for such an appearance, but the spotlight of this gigantic sporting event reliably separates the starlets from the big world stars in this short time. Because the Super Bowl stage does not forgive mistakes. Just as little as the public, which judges what is presented as sharply and mercilessly as a head coach before the roster cut. No one knows this as surely as Janet Jackson.

For the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, the NFL is sending five number one picks to the stage this time: Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar. The five have already won 44 Grammys between them – Eminem contributes the most of the coveted music awards with 15. Kendrick Lamar also has a Pulitzer Prize to his name. The enthusiasm of the fans is all too understandable in view of this musical elite!

Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Dr. Dre – a very apt choice

The NFL can only be congratulated on this coup, they outdid themselves. For such a potent hip-hop collaboration has probably not been seen since the legendary “Up in Smoke” tour and even fans who are not aficionados of the genre are likely to bob their heads in approval in view of the greatness of these five musicians.

The choice is also apt because in Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar, three of the artists will have a home game when they take to the stage at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 13 February. They are all California natives.

NFL shows courage

It will be exciting to see how socially critical the performance becomes. Because that it will be is almost as certain as the cheers after a touchdown: Dr. Dre has shown solidarity with the shunned Colin Kaepernick. Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg support “Black Lives Matter”, just as Eminem is a vocal supporter of the movement. And Kendrick Lamar is one of the most forceful voices documenting the struggles and difficulties of black people in the US.

Dr Dre already announced that their performance would be an “unforgettable cultural moment”. The NFL, which is not exactly a pioneer in the pressing issues of social justice, is even showing courage with this choice.