We all know the yearly NFL Super Bowl Halftime performance is a big deal. Even if people don’t care about the football game itself, they will come to the TV to see the halftime performance. That’s why today we are going to be ranking the top 10 more recent halftime performances. In this ranking we took into consideration not only the artist’s performance, but also the set, lighting, costumes, and more. So without further ado, let’s get to ranking.
Honorable Mentions
- Rihanna (2023). The performance was very dance heavy, and she performed a lot of her greatest hits, which made it fun to watch and hear. An important part of that performance was the surprise that she was pregnant. However, while this was shocking and great news at the time, the set could’ve done more, and Rihanna herself could’ve done a bit more.
- Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre (with guests, 2022). There were some very nice parts of this performance. Mary J Blige looked beautiful in her outfit and performed very well. Kendrick’s dancers were on point. The songs chosen were songs that everyone knew. However, again, the set fell a bit short for a Super Bowl performance. Also, the outfits for some of the performers could have been a bit more flashy.
- The Weeknd (2021). This performance was good considering what was going on. Due to Covid-19 regulations, The Weeknd was not allowed any guests. The set was beautiful and creative. The lighting was amazing, and the sequence in the gold room gave a sense of excitement and urgency. There was nothing wrong with this performance really, and we are sure it would have made the list if it weren’t for Covid-19 regulations.
- Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (2014). The song selection for this one was great, especially for Bruno. He was able to perform his greatest hits. His collaboration with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers gave is a more rock band feel at times, which was different, but not bad. There was a small segment where soldiers got to speak out to their families mid performance which was a very touching moment.
- Aerosmith and NSYNC (with guests, 2001). Again, the song selection for this one was great. NSYNC performed very well with high energy. While there were multiple guests, no one felt out of place. It felt diverse, and it was a nice surprise to see some people. However, Britney Spears and Mary J Blige could have been used more in the performance. Otherwise, it was pretty solid.
10. Maroon 5 (with guests, 2019)
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Maroon 5 performed with Travis Scott and Big Boi in 2019 for the Super Bowl. The songs Maroon 5 was able to perform hits including “This Love,” “Girls Like You,” and “Moves Like Jagger.” Travis Scott was able to perform his hit song “Sicko Mode,” and Big Boi performed “Kryptonite” and “The Way You Move.” The addition of Spongebob and the asteroids that came before Travis Scott came out was very visually appealing. The marching band looked really good and the choir added some extra spice.
There really were not many negatives to this performance, so the only reason it is not ranked higher is because other performances did even more. The only thng was a lot of Travis’s performance got censored due to cursing. Other than that, it was a very solid performance.
9. Coldplay (with guests, 2016)
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Coldplay was a good choice for the Super Bowl because their music is has a very “feel good” vibe. They also had quite a few songs that everyone knew so it was nice to hear and the crowd was enthusiastic. Bruno Mars came in with “Uptown Funk” and Beyonce came in with “Formation” and both of those were really good. The back and forth between Beyonce and Bruno Mars towards the end built up excitement and overall the performance was successful. The set was also very bright and colorful with a lot of moving shapes.
Again, not many cons to this performance. As time goes on, more and better ideas and technology are executed for these performances, so within the last eight years there are bound to be more exciting performances. However, it was very good for its time.
8. Lady Gaga (2017)
Lady Gaga has always been iconic so everyone had high hopes and expectations for this performance. The song selection for this one was very good as it included her hits “Pokerface,” “Just Dance,” “Bad Romance,” and more. Her music is always good for parties and big events because it’s so upbeat and people can dance to it. That’s partially why this was so successful. Her costumes were also very eye catching as she started in a bedazzled gray one piece with tall gray boots.Â
There was a calmer moment where she played the piano and sang when she performed “Million Reasons.” However, it ended on a high note with “Bad Romance” as there was some dancing and she flew through the air during multiple parts. Overall it was very Lady Gaga and very good for the Super Bowl. The fact that she did it all by herself with no guests makes it even more impressive.
7. Katy Perry (with guests, 2015)
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Katy Perry performed with Missy Elliot and Lenny Kravitz at the 2017 halftime show. The sets and costumes were very well thought out for this one. For the songs “Teenage Dream” and “California Girls,” the stage turned colorful and beach-like with googly eyes on trees, beach balls, surf boards, and more. Katie Perry wore a colorful two-piece with a skirt and her backup dancers wore polkadot bikinis. It all just perfectly went with the songs being sang.
In the beginning, Katie came out singing her hit song “Roar” while riding on a golden tiger. Here she wore a dress covered in flames and the lights used looked like galaxy lights. She ended her performance with her song “Firework.” as she soared across the sky underneath a sparkling shooting star. At this point she wore a silver dress covered in stars as she soared across the air.Â
Her performances with Missy Elliot and Lenny Kravitz were both high energy and made the crowd excited. Overall, the set design and costumes were very well executed and her guests did what they had to do.
6. Janet Jackson (with guests, 2004)
Under MTV production, Janet Jackson performed for the Super Bowl halftime performance in 2004 with P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock, Jessica Simpson, and Justin Timberlake. For starters, she started performing “All For You” behind a sheet showing mostly just a silhouette. She was then lowered to the stage and it was revealed that she was wearing a black corset top with red and white undergarments. One thing about Janet Jackson is that she can dance, and she can dance well. She matched the energy of her backup dancers perfectly, and it was clear that she was made to perform.
Diddy and Nelly came out for “Bad Boy for Life,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” “Hot in Herre,” and “Mo Money Mo Problems.” They danced with cheerleader-type back up dances, which fit the songs and the fact that they were performing for a football game. Kid Rock came out for “Bawitdaba” and “Cowboy” which added some diversity to the performance. It went from Rap and Hip-Hop music to rock, yet it didn’t feel out of place.
Finally, Janet Jackson did “Rhythm Nation” and “Rock Your Body” with Justin Timberlake. “Rhythm Nation” had an amazing dance number with all of the back up dancers following Janet’s red, black, and white dress code. Justin Timberlake came out to perform his song with Janet, which was good until the wardrobe malfunction. While this is the moment everyone remembers, there were many other moments of this performance that deserved to be remembered as well.
5. Black Eyed Peas (with guests, 2011)
The Black Eyed Peas performed for the Super Bowl in 2011 with guests Usher and Slash. The Black Eyed Peas came down from the sky onto the stage and started performing “I Gotta Feeling” as an introduction. They all dressed in all black with built in LED lights and their backup dancers wore sparkly silver bodysuits that also had built in LEDs.
One thing that made this performance so good was the song selection. From “Pump It” to “Let’s Get it Started” to “OMG,” it was just hit after hit. The choreography for “Boom Boom Pow” with the arrow formations and the bright lights was very clean and well coordinated. Slash and Fergie had a duet with an electric guitar and “Pump It” was performed with a band that performed with very high energy. Usher came out to perform “OMG” with The Black Eyed Peas towards the end. Overall, the setlist was very high energy and the performance delivered that same energy which is perfect for a Super Bowl performance.
4. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira (with guests, 2020)
Under Roc Nation, this iconic duo did their thing at the 2020 halftime show. It started off with Shakira performing “She Wolf” wearing a beautiful red dress with tall red boots. After some belly dancing and a performance with Bad Bunny, J.Lo came out with “Jenny From the Block.” She also performed with J Balvin before Shakira came back to the stage.
Shakira had a drum solo before “Waka Waka” which was nice and different. J.Lo’s daughters also came out during that performance which was nice to see. However, the best part was the dancing. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are both amazing dancers and their backup dancers added on nicely. There were very flashy moments but it never got too raunchy or inappropriate. Overall, it was fun to watch.
3. Madonna (with guests, 2012)
Madonna had her halftime performance in 2012 and performed with Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, M.I.A., and CeeLo Green. Not only was she the first headliner at the Super Bowl since Diana Ross in 1996, but her performance was amazing. She had a grand opening where she was pulled out in a massive throne with many people dressed as guard from medieval times. She was dressed in a beautiful black and gold dress with a bedazzled black and gold crown that she eventually took off.
For “Vogue”, the stage was amazing with the flipping squares and the dancers. The choreography also fit very well as the movements were very sharp and included a lot of arms, similar to vogue style dancing. For “Music,” Madonna performed tricks with the back up dancers as she did flips with their assistance. The tight rope bouncer was amazing as well. She performed “Party Rock” with LMFAO, “Give Me All Your Luvin” with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., and “Open Your Heart” with CeeLo Green. She ended her performance with “Like a Prayer” with a choir which was a very uplifting ending. Overall, it was very memorable.
2. Beyonce (with guests, 2013)
This performance was amazing. From the former members of Destiny’s Child joining her to the performance of “Single Ladies,” this was a performance people will not forget. She wore a black lacy one piece that looked amazing on her, and any dance breaks that happened were all on point. The visuals for “Baby Boy” were amazing with the lighting and silhouettes. The front of the stage was literally on fire while she danced with Destiny’s Child.Â
In the performance she was very interactive with fans. Towards the end she knelt near the end of the stage and you could see them reaching out to her and her grabbing hands. She ended the performance with “Halo,” and while that song is a bit more downbeat than her other music, she still managed to make it uplifting and exciting to see. Everything about that performance was on point and you can see how much time and effort was put into it.
1. Usher (with guests, 2024)
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Under Roc Nation, Usher performed for the halftime show in 2024. Everyone knows Usher’s Super Bowl performance was out of this world. With hits like “Yeah,” “OMG,” and “Turn Down For What,” everyone was tuned in. For starters, the costumes were great. Usher started out in all white but eventually changed into a blue and black bedazzled set that was very nice. Alicia Keys wore a beautiful red dress and sang and played beautifully for “If I Ain’t Got You.” Their stage chemistry was undeniable.
H.E.R popped out to play some guitar. Lil John came out for “Turn Down for What”, Ludacris came out for “Yeah,” and Will.I.Am came out for “OMG.” All were high energy and got the crowd excited.
The contortionists and skaters also deserve a mention. Not only were they skating on stage, but flipping and dancing as well. For Usher to be skating and dancing simultaneously is already a lot, but he sang as well. His voice was still very even and he never seemed out of breath. Overall, that performance was amazing and one to remember.
The Super Bowl will come again, and this time the performer is going to be Kendrick Lamar. Do you think he’ll be able to top these performances?
Main Image Credit: Cooper Neill / Contributor | Getty Images
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