This year’s Super Bowl halftime show was alll about nostalgia.
It was dripping thick of it, thanks to performances from the best of hip-hop royalty: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg , Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. There was even a surprise performance from 50 Cent!
With so much going on, it’s understandable that you missed some little details. While a rewatch of the performance is in order, so is checking out this list of 17 little details people missed!
1. This was the first time the halftime show featured all hip-hop artists as the main act.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar all took center stage, with Snoop Dogg saying that the move represents “change.”
2. It was also the first time since 2012 that five performers performed.
The last time this happened was when Madonna brought CeeLo Green, LMFAO, M.I.A., and Nicki Minaj into her performance.
3. Three of the performers are local.
Last night was a huge night for Los Angeles. In addition to the Rams winning on L.A. soil and many local celebrities turning out, Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar are both from Compton, while Snoop Dogg is from Long Beach.
4. The performers don’t get paid.
As the singers were performing, you were probably wondering how much the performers get paid. One million? Ten? How about 0! Per league policy, the NFL only covers all costs of the production of the halftime show.
This was something that Mary J. Blige didn’t care about.
To her, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. “I mean, listen, you’re going to be paid for the rest of your life off of this. People are going to be knocking at your door,” she told the National Post. “They don’t have to pay me … but if they were paying, it’d be a lot of money.”
5. The show’s trailer was filmed by the same director of ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ which featured Dr. Dre.
Do yourself a favor and watch the epic trailer, directed by F. Gary Gray.
6. The performers all had 44 Grammy awards between them.
Can you guess who has the most? If you said “Eminem,” you’re correct. He has 15, while Snoop Dogg has none! Although he has been nominated 16 times.
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7. The show was produced by Jay-Z’s sports and entertainment company, Roc Nation.
You may have noticed a shot of Jay-Z during the game. Since he partnered with the NFL in 2019, this was his company’s third year producing the show. This was done as a way to “enhance the NFL’s live game experiences and amplify the league’s social justice efforts.”
8. It was the first time the show included sign language interpreters.
Sean Forbes and Warren “WaWa” Snipe, two deaf rappers, performed alongside the headliners.
“The doors to accessibility are busted wide open with something like this,” Forbes told the Detroit Free Press.
9. Snoop Dogg’s album, ‘Doggystyle,’ was in the background of his performance.
This was the debut studio album by the rapper. Given the name of the album, it’s a little awkward that it was next to a picture of Snoop and an older woman.
10. There was a reference to a historic Compton hip-hop nightclub.
This is “Eve After Dark,” which has served as a springboard for many East Coast rappers, including Ice Cube and Run D.M.C.
11. The sign also featured the names of the halftime performers.
In addition to the headliners, the sign gave viewers a sneak peek at who else would be performing. Anderson .Paak, for instance, was on the drums. He’s in the group, Silk Sonic, with Bruno Mars.
12. Kendrick’s outfit may have been a nod to Michael Jackson.
While his dancers dressed all in black, the 34-year-old looked distinguished in a double-breasted jacket covered in faux military medals and braids. The look was quite similar to something the late singer, Michael Jackson would wear. He even performed at the same venue in 1993.
13. Kendrick’s dancers all had matching dyed hair and beards.
While the performers during The Weekend’s halftime show all had bandages covering their faces, Lamar went a different route. They also had “Dre Day” sashes, which was a reference to Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s song together.
14. 50 Cent’s performance was a nod to his “In Da Club” music video.
People were surprised to see 50 Cent perform his smash hit, “In Da Club.” But more surprising than this was how he started upside down, just like in the music video.
15. There was a Compton flag waving in the background.
There sure were many references to Compton. This flag could be seen during the final section of the performance.
16. Celebs loved the show.
Many tweeted their praise during the performance, including former performers.
“THAT WAS A BOMB OF RADICAL LOVE THANK YOU #SuperBowl HALFTIME SHOW!! Incredible!! That’s what it’s all about!!” Lady Gaga tweeted. LeBron James, who was at the show, also tweeted. “OMG!!!!!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!! THE GREATEST HALFTIME SHOW IVE EVER SEEN!!!” said the NBA legend .
17. There’s a reason Eminem took a knee during his performance.
This happened while “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” by Tupac played on piano. This was reportedly in a protest tribute to Colin Kaepernick, an NFL star who turned into an anti-police violence activist.
Initially, there were rumors that the NFL asked Eminem not to kneel.
“That report was erroneous,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told Fox News Digital.
“We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that,” he added.
