31 Sports & Music Power Players Pick Their Favorite Super Bowl Halftime Shows

The halftime show for Super Bowl XXXIV: “Tapestry of Nations,” which featured performances by Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Phil Collins and Toni Braxton. It was the first Super Bowl I attended at age 16 as a guest of my uncle, who was general counsel for the St. Louis Rams at the time. The Rams winning against the Titans remains one of the most suspenseful moments I have witnessed in sports to this day, and the halftime show is one I will never forget.

Super Bowl XLI, Prince in Miami. It was hands down one of the most epic performances ever to see Price and his electrifying performance on a drizzly night in Miami. Everyone thought the halftime would be cancelled, but Prince took the stage and absolutely stunned the world with his performance and when the heavens opened up and just poured rain while he performed “Purple Rain” and the fireworks were exploding — just magical and once in a lifetime performance.

Prince. I’d encourage anyone to revisit or watch for the first time to get the why.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show we did in Los Angeles with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent is one of my most treasured career experiences. The level of ambition and complexity of the show were historic, but being the first-ever hip-hop halftime show, the first Super Bowl post-pandemic, the first halftime show to win an Emmy, and having the Rams win it in LA made it an incredibly special day.

U2 in 2002. In addition to their timeless music and always-incredible performances, the tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks was yet another example of how music and sports can deliver powerful moments, statements, and even healing — moments that can mean much more than the game itself.

Rihanna’s performance. She did her thing while being unapologetically herself, and she made a statement without doing too much. Plus, her music is timeless — it hits every time.

The 2022 Super Bowl with Dr. Dre, Snoop, Eminem, 50 Cent — so many legends together, some of whom we rarely get to see perform.

Dr. Dre, primarily because I’m a huge Eminem fan. It was incredible to watch them perform together. It’s something I have watched over and over again over the years.

Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Kendrick and M.J.B. So much musical, lyrical and cultural genius on one stage being celebrated and enjoyed on sport’s biggest night!

Lady Gaga, hands down. Gaga takes every performance to the next level and her Super Bowl LI Halftime Show did not disappoint — kicking it off by jumping off the stadium’s roof to her acoustic performance of “Million Reasons” to closing out with a killer rendition of “Bad Romance” — she crushed it! I have many fond memories when I hear a lot of her songs, from college road trips to dancing to “Just Dance” at my wedding, so that halftime show was a memorable one for me.

It’s a tie between Prince and Tom Petty, two of my favorite artists of all time.

Prince, “Purple Rain” in the rain. Ask 10 people to write out the top 10 moments in music of all time, and all 10 will have this performance on the list.

Prince in 2007 because was on my bucket list of artists to see, and he unfortunately passed away before that could happen. He commanded that field like he’d been doing that every day of his life and twice on Sundays, and there was a palpable moment when he was playing an impossibly perfect guitar solo (like only Prince could) where I got chills and knew I was witnessing something very special that day (and it wasn’t Peyton Manning). I do have to give honorable mentions to Rihanna in 2023 and Dr. Dre and friends in 2022 because I remember feeling a change around what major sports leagues and broadcasters considered classic, iconic artists and entertainment.

Prince. Just an all-time great.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent was a standout success. This performance seamlessly integrated legendary talent with cultural relevance, showcasing high production values and strategic marketing efforts. The show entertained millions by appealing to a broad audience, leveraging social media, and delivering an unforgettable performance.

I’m a huge Bruce Springsteen fan so that’s an obvious choice for me. But two other Super Bowl Halftime performances and moments that live in my head and heart — Prince performing in the soaking rain, which I was lucky to witness in person, and U2’s tribute to the victims, heroes and families of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Madonna at Super Bowl XLVI is my favorite, probably in part because I was there in Indianapolis to see it in person. I loved how she used the platform to incorporate younger artists into her setlist. And as a lifelong Giants fan, I like to think her performance of “Like a Prayer” assisted Big Blue in defeating the Patriots once again.

Prince in the pouring rain at Super Bowl XLI in Miami. Had the whole stadium singing along. He never disappointed.

The LA performance with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick, Snoop, 50 Cent and Mary was iconic and something I and the city L.A. will never forget. I’m beyond thrilled to see Kendrick take center stage this year and continue to elevate the way we view these performances and sports collaborations.

My favorite Super Bowl Halftime Show performance is U2 at Super Bowl XXXVI in the Louisiana Superdome, just months after the tragic events of 9/11. At the time, I was in my native France, watching the broadcast in the middle of the night. I’ll never forget hearing the first notes of “Where the Streets Have No Name,” with the list of the victims projected in the background — it was an incredibly moving music performance and heartfelt tribute, a moment for hope and unity that resonated well beyond the US borders.

The Los Angeles show [headlined by Dr. Dre] in 2022. The fact that it had the backdrop of L.A., a city with so much musical and cultural significance, but also it was the game’s first time being hosted at SoFi, an incredible stadium. The show was just a really great vibe, and every record was nostalgic for me.

Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020. It was a powerhouse of Latin culture, athleticism and showmanship, and they absolutely owned the stage — plus, it happened in the best city in the world, Miami!

The Weeknd. Superbowl LV. There aren’t many performances that feel like a timestamp in history and a definitive cultural moment like that one was. Was such a memorable and mind-blowing performance and production.

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s performance at Super Bowl LVI was iconic. I worked for Dre for 17 years, so the halftime show was very nostalgic for me. It was like watching all the work we’d done come to life in the most important entertainment moment.

Rihanna’s performance, no question. She’s such a powerhouse — her confidence, her music, the way she commands attention by simply being herself. That unapologetic energy is something I really connect with and admire.

Super Bowl 56: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Mary J Blige & 50 Cent. I grew up listening to these artists so to see Dre, Snoop and Kendrick get to rock their hometown of LA on the world’s biggest stage with their friends was pretty special and epic!

Prince, because he performed “Purple Rain” in the rain.

I have a profound respect for the 2022 show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. The selection of these artists marked a pivotal moment in recognizing hip-hop’s rightful place on one of the world’s biggest stages, and they truly knocked it out of the park. I’m looking forward to Kendrick’s return as the Super Bowl headliner this February.

I really love Michael Jackson’s performance and Prince’s performance. We all perform music but it’s about the unique talent and artistry of each of us that makes each half time set different. We all get the same 13 minutes, it’s what we do with that time that makes it memorable… I got my 15 minutes and was happy to be among the greats who’ve had the moment.

It was a great honor to serve as Chairman of the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee in 2022, and that year’s halftime show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and our client Kendrick Lamar was quintessential for L.A. But I may change my mind when Kendrick takes over this year.