![Dwayne Johnson delivering his pre-game speech. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4PQBTCRY5Y6RKVEJK2G3HC32PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5da59684351978fcbc173f968e18196b7adbc6223357c598e7290a154c1b0e17&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem, Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg perform during the half-time show of Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in California. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWGDRX3LUNKUTCUG2NKSLEORGI.jpg?focal=2286%2C1720&auth=63009b66631b6e8583c72c68e6645cd2394d94bc64e84240812875fc9df4d15b&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg open the show. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U7ENVJD5WNUE53DPZKJ5NLQBWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b6f3f575f613e13e9cf9ee250b2d4d93116629292ef1a9c4e76f2a59cf70596&width=400&height=225)
![The star-packed line-up also featured R&B star Mary J Blige. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C4VUMRR6GYHDCYGBIWNQETNEAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0775de6be2810374aba3c949652e3a03cc4179a863d3465735398a611017beae&width=400&height=225)
![Blige performing 'Family Affair', dressed in a sequinned white outfit with thigh-high boots, accompanied by a sparkling group of backup dancers. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XGAQVVTR4X7RGP3TPGV5CICGHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b24d47f00767615438921fcaf4bab4a2c9a51f5d71a1b77534d670940701186&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem on stage with Kendrick Lamar, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JP7BE4RGMJXUWZSYZOEFKTM24A.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b4f7d9db3278188b397f1789c0d8e9c13dc996bdfde6bf57408b5caf8e0f891&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem performed a few of his hits, including 'Forgot About Dre' with Anderson .Paak playing the drums. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/66R3L5ZM7BKL7B4JNABOX5FHAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=704b5513b7dc87106df65aa878458ee277aba8fcaf2acc7458e87a46d5f5e31f&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem ends his set with his record-breaking 2002 song 'Lose Yourself' and by kneeling and placing his head in his hand, a gesture that former quarterback Colin Kaepernick made during the US national anthem at NFL games as a call for racial justice. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MJ2LENEWUUMJFDFMPUNHG43WIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3bed5079c27931064c45d74da78278f3040379927eee9d2804c921c90ec568e&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre kicks off the performances at SoFi Stadium, standing behind a sound table on top of a makeshift white house. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LEVRALOXNR73N4TIBAZVYKF22U.jpg?smart=true&auth=d33944326bec689c378cdf2dc3ab260ec9906e988a63166f918f723d3fc81648&width=400&height=225)
![The hip-hop stars perform clean versions of their biggest hits. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ARAOIQ2GAA2QBUEXOVMB6XOGRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=24d4b096167dd5076f46e6538e1e4409a1808071a8f45318e82ee45db051fd47&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre, Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg on stage. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SDCMLWHUQVWUCRR3HHMIIYNHCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=22ab164bd4ca723b2e2299d2c254e9ca308c74be108628c0b0ce19a6c5bd6244&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg during the half-time show. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PUUTM7OI76K3ZUM7KJTS73YZBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=50947884bf606daf877192c023d473def25681f279a14f85a8577f84f9987d00&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre hugs rapper Anderson .Paak who played the drums. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KDSSOK44J43RF26TCMPAKZGI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=72a0a9ce6725cfcbc1079588eaf7312a9f27225bfadc59d6517a8ea5422bb7fd&width=400&height=225)
![An aerial shot of the Super Bowl LVI half-time show. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KI62F6Z2WFGR4U2UONTAJSDI5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bb1644e9331fb08203042bcd4f606de7930178e5c0e83694c6dcdd4291d275c&width=400&height=225)
![Surprise guest 50 Cent at the half-time show. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HB3XUMNZR722PFXDQURHHIEB54.jpg?smart=true&auth=acdab729c1e2751f83ec24e72894a942be1f4f80c92c1012ab2fbedef202b082&width=400&height=225)
![50 Cent performs his 2003 hit 'In da Club' while hanging upside down and dressed in a white tank top, like in the song's music video. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6JZFRKI4VAG2ZKPNAN2CCKVBTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=cbca0120c0a90a2e1b21b30983d9e9bd439c99db516b35bed60d9481a500b0f9&width=400&height=225)
![50 Cent performs during the half-time show. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FUC5AIGQPV6ELDNFV6Y3TPF6OA.jpg?smart=true&auth=eee97882a569653994bcae7df989acd0bbb20b54031f5e373c7f2463da3eb99b&width=400&height=225)
![A black suit-wearing Kendrick Lamar performs alongside other men sporting the same outfit as him. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z3JSFQJTX24OXOJHBWDIP6QR2A.jpg?smart=true&auth=d63c275ae48535f965df767d8cfa5e44b1626760496e114b5b610eba97104d74&width=400&height=225)
![Before the show, Snoop Dogg said the NFL should have embraced rap years ago and that he hoped this would open doors for more hip-hop artists. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXEQ6BNJTXWZWCRT6FNL5KAQEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f771c731a866a254ee1f7ff22e2cdcb9dea05dc7fb9d0c955796bd5d4e926a71&width=400&height=225)
![The six artists acknowledge fans after their performance. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6EH6G5XDRZI36EOTJBUGXZ2ZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed2603cb01146132f65bbc7551e5b75211cb94d9b85ef8262348531d3e832b59&width=400&height=225)
![Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey, watching the half-time show. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DYKGNIT6YMNT7HUAALKQ32LIMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=77166c04dcebed3c8c96d9c42203f9dce89998690290ea405cbd3f844df16057&width=400&height=225)
![Country music artist Mickey Guyton performs the US national anthem before Super Bowl match. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B5RAHZ6HDRM6SVRMY4CSBTM5RM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b1448ace719f1320ba2cb3aa55679be1730cba52a78723624043dbb18e8d82&width=400&height=225)
![Guyton, who made history in 2020 as the first Black woman to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category, performed 'The Star Spangled Banner'. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7YALMW76F4PE46PPILBA4ZXYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c59b89e87d07fbc364b7519e9d972c0222e5416ba4f1dff86b4d3379a73aa36e&width=400&height=225)
![Guyton delivers a soaring, emotive version of the anthem, which she largely sang a cappella. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B55XXWECRURQWDD52BCNJ76SZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=235590be522d9b01c850e1a80b277ebf6dda97e641828b41c21c1acceb695b1a&width=400&height=225)
![Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson introduces the teams just before kick-off, putting on his old wrestling persona. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PT3IAHQ4WWTAXQN6XUV6NGKX6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c1e6e8fa790a32836ebe2657916b67ff9272d74cdd0d686ca7bcb2d24e86f4e&width=400&height=225)
![Johnson was a WWE champion before he became a movie star. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GD4OISFFWL6EDJTJMQWIFLK4Q4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0399b8a029c6bdb271eddad98995970bccd05ac458875ce450b30a1e07ec09f&width=400&height=225)
![Dwayne Johnson delivering his pre-game speech. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4PQBTCRY5Y6RKVEJK2G3HC32PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5da59684351978fcbc173f968e18196b7adbc6223357c598e7290a154c1b0e17&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem, Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg perform during the half-time show of Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in California. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWGDRX3LUNKUTCUG2NKSLEORGI.jpg?focal=2286%2C1720&auth=63009b66631b6e8583c72c68e6645cd2394d94bc64e84240812875fc9df4d15b&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg open the show. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U7ENVJD5WNUE53DPZKJ5NLQBWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b6f3f575f613e13e9cf9ee250b2d4d93116629292ef1a9c4e76f2a59cf70596&width=400&height=225)
![The star-packed line-up also featured R&B star Mary J Blige. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C4VUMRR6GYHDCYGBIWNQETNEAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0775de6be2810374aba3c949652e3a03cc4179a863d3465735398a611017beae&width=400&height=225)
![Blige performing 'Family Affair', dressed in a sequinned white outfit with thigh-high boots, accompanied by a sparkling group of backup dancers. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XGAQVVTR4X7RGP3TPGV5CICGHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b24d47f00767615438921fcaf4bab4a2c9a51f5d71a1b77534d670940701186&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem on stage with Kendrick Lamar, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JP7BE4RGMJXUWZSYZOEFKTM24A.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b4f7d9db3278188b397f1789c0d8e9c13dc996bdfde6bf57408b5caf8e0f891&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem performed a few of his hits, including 'Forgot About Dre' with Anderson .Paak playing the drums. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/66R3L5ZM7BKL7B4JNABOX5FHAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=704b5513b7dc87106df65aa878458ee277aba8fcaf2acc7458e87a46d5f5e31f&width=400&height=225)
![Eminem ends his set with his record-breaking 2002 song 'Lose Yourself' and by kneeling and placing his head in his hand, a gesture that former quarterback Colin Kaepernick made during the US national anthem at NFL games as a call for racial justice. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MJ2LENEWUUMJFDFMPUNHG43WIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3bed5079c27931064c45d74da78278f3040379927eee9d2804c921c90ec568e&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre kicks off the performances at SoFi Stadium, standing behind a sound table on top of a makeshift white house. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LEVRALOXNR73N4TIBAZVYKF22U.jpg?smart=true&auth=d33944326bec689c378cdf2dc3ab260ec9906e988a63166f918f723d3fc81648&width=400&height=225)
![The hip-hop stars perform clean versions of their biggest hits. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ARAOIQ2GAA2QBUEXOVMB6XOGRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=24d4b096167dd5076f46e6538e1e4409a1808071a8f45318e82ee45db051fd47&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre, Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg on stage. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SDCMLWHUQVWUCRR3HHMIIYNHCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=22ab164bd4ca723b2e2299d2c254e9ca308c74be108628c0b0ce19a6c5bd6244&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg during the half-time show. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PUUTM7OI76K3ZUM7KJTS73YZBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=50947884bf606daf877192c023d473def25681f279a14f85a8577f84f9987d00&width=400&height=225)
![Dr Dre hugs rapper Anderson .Paak who played the drums. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KDSSOK44J43RF26TCMPAKZGI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=72a0a9ce6725cfcbc1079588eaf7312a9f27225bfadc59d6517a8ea5422bb7fd&width=400&height=225)
![An aerial shot of the Super Bowl LVI half-time show. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KI62F6Z2WFGR4U2UONTAJSDI5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bb1644e9331fb08203042bcd4f606de7930178e5c0e83694c6dcdd4291d275c&width=400&height=225)
![Surprise guest 50 Cent at the half-time show. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HB3XUMNZR722PFXDQURHHIEB54.jpg?smart=true&auth=acdab729c1e2751f83ec24e72894a942be1f4f80c92c1012ab2fbedef202b082&width=400&height=225)
![50 Cent performs his 2003 hit 'In da Club' while hanging upside down and dressed in a white tank top, like in the song's music video. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6JZFRKI4VAG2ZKPNAN2CCKVBTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=cbca0120c0a90a2e1b21b30983d9e9bd439c99db516b35bed60d9481a500b0f9&width=400&height=225)
![50 Cent performs during the half-time show. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FUC5AIGQPV6ELDNFV6Y3TPF6OA.jpg?smart=true&auth=eee97882a569653994bcae7df989acd0bbb20b54031f5e373c7f2463da3eb99b&width=400&height=225)
![A black suit-wearing Kendrick Lamar performs alongside other men sporting the same outfit as him. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z3JSFQJTX24OXOJHBWDIP6QR2A.jpg?smart=true&auth=d63c275ae48535f965df767d8cfa5e44b1626760496e114b5b610eba97104d74&width=400&height=225)
![Before the show, Snoop Dogg said the NFL should have embraced rap years ago and that he hoped this would open doors for more hip-hop artists. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXEQ6BNJTXWZWCRT6FNL5KAQEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f771c731a866a254ee1f7ff22e2cdcb9dea05dc7fb9d0c955796bd5d4e926a71&width=400&height=225)
![The six artists acknowledge fans after their performance. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6EH6G5XDRZI36EOTJBUGXZ2ZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed2603cb01146132f65bbc7551e5b75211cb94d9b85ef8262348531d3e832b59&width=400&height=225)
![Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey, watching the half-time show. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DYKGNIT6YMNT7HUAALKQ32LIMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=77166c04dcebed3c8c96d9c42203f9dce89998690290ea405cbd3f844df16057&width=400&height=225)
![Country music artist Mickey Guyton performs the US national anthem before Super Bowl match. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B5RAHZ6HDRM6SVRMY4CSBTM5RM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8b1448ace719f1320ba2cb3aa55679be1730cba52a78723624043dbb18e8d82&width=400&height=225)
![Guyton, who made history in 2020 as the first Black woman to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category, performed 'The Star Spangled Banner'. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7YALMW76F4PE46PPILBA4ZXYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c59b89e87d07fbc364b7519e9d972c0222e5416ba4f1dff86b4d3379a73aa36e&width=400&height=225)
![Guyton delivers a soaring, emotive version of the anthem, which she largely sang a cappella. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B55XXWECRURQWDD52BCNJ76SZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=235590be522d9b01c850e1a80b277ebf6dda97e641828b41c21c1acceb695b1a&width=400&height=225)
![Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson introduces the teams just before kick-off, putting on his old wrestling persona. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PT3IAHQ4WWTAXQN6XUV6NGKX6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c1e6e8fa790a32836ebe2657916b67ff9272d74cdd0d686ca7bcb2d24e86f4e&width=400&height=225)
![Johnson was a WWE champion before he became a movie star. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GD4OISFFWL6EDJTJMQWIFLK4Q4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0399b8a029c6bdb271eddad98995970bccd05ac458875ce450b30a1e07ec09f&width=400&height=225)
![Dwayne Johnson delivering his pre-game speech. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4PQBTCRY5Y6RKVEJK2G3HC32PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5da59684351978fcbc173f968e18196b7adbc6223357c598e7290a154c1b0e17&width=400&height=225)
Super Bowl 2022 gives hip-hop fans 'greatest half-time show' and some controversy
Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the SoFi Stadium, along with surprise guest 50 Cent
David Tusing
February 14, 2022
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