A Look At Black Historical Halftime Performances On Super Bowl Sunday

The Super Bowl halftime stage is a cultural indicator of who dominates American music.

The halftime stage at Super Bowl Sunday is a cultural indicator of who dominates American music and media power on the biggest sports night of the year. Year-after-year, Black artists have continuously defined the Super Bowl’s most iconic halftime performances.

Performances by contemporary artists such as Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar were culturally impactful, bringing in major audiences and revenue growth to Super Bowl Sunday. Notably, they aren’t the only ones. Over the years, historical music moments have demonstrated how Black creative talent maintains its position as the global standard for showmanship, storytelling and musical innovation during Super Bowl Sunday. Check them out.

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop’s 1993 Super Bowl halftime show in Pasadena was a game-changer. His performance dramatically increased halftime viewership and turned the segment into a major cultural event. The production approach and medley that Jackson performed established the blueprint for halftime performances for the following years.

Prince

On Feb. 4, 2007 Prince performed a career-defining halftime show (in the rain, no less) during Super Bowl XLI in Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Prince’s halftime show received critical acclaim, especially Prince’s stamina during the “Purple Rain” performance. It became one of the most memorable events in sports history.

Beyoncé (and Destiny’s Child)

In 2013, Beyoncé, along with fellow Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, delivered a high-energy throwback performance in New Orleans. The show presented Beyoncé’s distinctive pop-R&B music style through a collection of hit songs that mesmerized the crowd.

Diana Ross

At Super Bowl XXX in January 1996, legendary entertainer Diana Ross performed a solo halftime show. Through multiple medleys and theatrical staging, Ross showcased her musical showmanship and demonstrated the richness of Black performance art through elaborate staging and choreography.

Stevie Wonder

In 1999 in Miami, Stevie Wonder presented a soulful musical performance, blessing football fans with his musical legacy and performing with other artists.

Rihanna

On Feb. 12, 2023, Rihanna performed as the main act of the Super Bowl LVII halftime show at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The international hitmaker’s performance became one of the most viewed and discussed halftime shows of recent years. Rihanna revealed her pregnancy during the show and demonstrated her commitment to performance art

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent

On Feb. 13, 2022, six legends took the stage at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The hip-hop artists and R&B legend, performed the first halftime show that focused exclusively on hip-hop culture, combining nostalgic elements with cultural influence to redefine halftime show conventions.

Kendrick Lamar

At the 2025 Super Bowl LIX halftime show, Kendrick Lamar and SZA performed a dynamic and theatrical halftime set that combined hip-hop music with social commentary. The performance on Feb. 9, 2025 attracted a large audience due to Kendrick’s highly publicized hip-hop battle with Drake.

Usher

The R&B superstar was the headliner at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11 2024, where he he showcased three decades of musical dominance. The event made it clear that Usher’s music continues to endear audiences both commercially and culturally.

Janet Jackson

The Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show featured Janet Jackson as a co-headliner with Justin Timberlake on Feb. 1, 2004. The performance resulted in a “wardrobe malfunction” that left Jackson’s bosom exposed after Timberlake snatched part of her brassiere top, and created lasting effects on broadcast standards and censorship debates while increasing the scrutiny of Black women who perform on major stages.

Whitney Houston

At Super Bowl XXV in 1991, Whitney Houston performed what many people regard as the greatest rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The performance became one of Houston’s best and achieved commercial success while receiving widespread acclaim. The performance established new standards for vocal excellence and emotional impact in anthem performances.