Super Bowl LIX is here and we’re looking back on every single artist who has performed at the Super Bowl halftime show through the years.
This year, as the Kansas City Chiefs defend their title against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kendrick Lamar performed at halftime. A week after winning six awards at the 2025 Grammys, Lamar performed a highly-anticipated set for the crowd in Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, (and those watching at home,) and our jaws were on the floor.
Lamar joined a long list of famous artists who have performed during the Super Bowl halftime show. From Beyoncé to Janet Jackson and Prince to The Rolling Stones, there have been some pretty incredible acts entertaining the Super Bowl crowd (and the roughly 100 million TV viewers watching at home) over the years.
We’ll admit it, when we think of the Super Bowl, the halftime performers always steal the show in our minds. Sure, that might be an unpopular opinion amongst true football fans who actually tune in to watch the big game, but sports fan or not, there’s no denying the fact that the headliners are the ones so many people look forward to watching, and who garner the most attention post-show.
Let’s take a peek at some of the most iconic artists that have performed during the Super Bowl halftime performance (Warning: you will get severe nostalgic vibes).
A version of this was originally published in 2021.
Super Bowl Halftime Performers Through the Years
2025: Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar blew audience members way with his performance at halftime as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Philadelphia Eagles.
The rapper was joined by special guests SZA and actor Samuel L. Jackson and performed a rendition of hits including Drake diss track, “Not Like Us,” “All the Stars” and more.
2024: Usher with Ludacris, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, will.i.am, Alicia Keys, & H.E.R
For Usher’s performance during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Feb 11, 2024, he sang alongside Ludacris, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, and will.i.am. He also did a duet with Alicia Keys, and had H.E.R doing a solo performance that rocked the stadium.
2023: Rihanna
Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl performance was her long awaited return to the stage after a 7-year performing hiatus.
Aside from delivering a stellar performance, Rihanna also broke the internet by silently revealing she was pregnant with her second baby less than a year after giving birth to baby RZA with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. Baby Riot was born in August 2023.
2022: Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Snoop Dogg & Mary J. Blige
Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige all performed together for Super Bowl LVI in a celebration of hip-hop and were even joined by surprise guest 50 Cent at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The group paid tribute to California icon Tupac Shakur, with a take on his “California Love.”
2021: The Weeknd
The Weeknd had free reign in the stands during the 2021 Super Bowl which was limited capacity due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Weeknd delivered a string of hits solo with some of his clones.
2020: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez delivered a very high energy performance at the 2020 Super Bowl, even featuring a cameo from Lopez’s child, Emme.
“It’s a perfect moment in my life, honestly,” Lopez told Vanity Fair before the show, “but it’s also a great time for Latina women to take the stage at the biggest all-American event, with everything that’s going on in the country right now.”
2019: Maroon 5
At Super Bowl LIII, Maroon 5 blew the Atlanta crowd away with a string of hits and were joined by Georgia hip-hop icons like Big Boi and Sleepy Brown, as well as Travis Scott.
2018: Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake‘s 2018 Super Bowl performance in Minneapolis was a hit, even if his first attempt back in 2004 was muddled by controversy.
In addition to his own hits, he performed a tribute to Prince in the star’s hometown.
2017: Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga wowed fans with hits like “Just Dance,” “Born This Way” and “Million Reasons” in Houston.
2016: Coldplay With Special Guests Beyoncé and Bruno Mars
Coldplay called in some help from Beyoncé and Bruno Mars to deliver an energetic performance in California.
2015: Katy Perry
Katy Perry performed at Super Bowl XLIX with some dancing sharks and was joined by Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott.
2014: Bruno Mars With Special Guests the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chili Peppers generated a record high of 115.3 million viewers with their 2014 performance in New Jersey.
2013: Beyoncé with Destiny’s Child
Beyoncé more than delivered with her 2013 performance and treated fans to a Destiny’s Child reunion when she brought Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams on stage.
2012: Madonna
Madonna was joined on stage by LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, MIA and Cee Lo Green while performing a string of hits for the crowd.
Unfortunately, the performance was overshadowed by controversy when MIA stuck up her middle finger in the middle of the set.
2011: The Black Eyed Peas
Technical difficulties slightly derailed The Black Eyed Peas’ 2011 Super Bowl performance when Fergie’s mic cut out and lighting issues occured.
However, the group kept spirits up by welcoming Usher and Slash on stage.
2010: The Who
At over 60 years of age, Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend of The Who were full of life while delivering a brilliant performance in 2010.
2009: Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed in Arizona in 2009 after turning down the show many times before.
2008: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty delivered a memorable set 9 years before his tragic passing.
2007: Prince
Prince delivered one of the best Super Bowl performances of all time with hits like “Purple Rain,” “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Baby I’m a Star.”
2006: The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones delivered an uncharacteristically G-rated performance back in 2006.
2005: Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney was an impressive one-man show back in 2005 and treated fans to many of his own solo hits as well as songs by The Beatles.
2004: Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, Diddy, Nelly & Justin Timberlake
Janet Jackson‘s 2004 Super Bowl performance has been deemed the most controversial of all time afer a wardrobe malfunction that was dubbed Nipplegate.
Timberlake pulled off a part of Jackson’s costume, accidentally exposing her breast and shocking audiences.
2003: Shania Twain
Shania Twain‘s 2003 Super Bowl performance outfit is still major fashion goals over a decade later.
The superstar also shared the stage with No Doubt and Sting.
2002: U2
Janet Jackson was originally book to perform in 2002 but after the 9/11 attacks, organizers decided a different tone was needed for the halftime show so Irish band U2 was booked instead.
2001: Aerosmith, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly
It was a very early 00s event in 2001 with Aerosmith, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly sharing the stage.
The event was made all the more exciting by the fact that Spears and NSYNC’s Justin Timberlake were in the height of their romance at the time.
2000: Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Phil Collins, and Toni Braxton
Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Phil Collins, and Toni Braxton shared the stage at at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta.
1999: Gloria Estefan & Stevie Wonder
Gloria Estefan performed in her hometown of Miami with Stevie Wonder in a performance filled with swing, soul and salsa.
1998: Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and Queen Latifah
It was a Motown party on stage when Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and Queen Latifah all performed together.
1997: The Blues Brothers
John Goodman, Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi of The Blues Brothers were joined on stage by James Brown in 1997.
1996: Diana Ross
Diana Ross brought the Super Bowl halftime show to new heights – literally – when she performed in 1996 and closed her performance by singing “Take Me Higher” before being taken from the stage in a helicopter. Her performance is widely regarded as one of the most iconic halftime shows of all time, per Katie Couric Media.
1995: Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle
Legends Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle performed together with electricity and energy in 1995.
1994: Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and The Judds
Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and The Judds delivered a wonderful group performance in 1994.
1993: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl performance was the Super Bowl’s genius plan to avoid losing viewers over the course of their halftime, as had happened the previous year.
The pop icon performed major hits including “Jam,” “Billie Jean” and “Black or White.”
Leave a Comment