At the Super Bowl, aside from the commercials, the halftime show has been a primary area of interest for non-sports lovers, music connoisseurs and other general audiences. As someone in Generation Z, I know relevant artists can make or break a Super Bowl performance, where clips of performers will likely trend on TikTok for weeks following the show.
This year, rather than one headlining performer, Pepsi welcomes an eclectic group of R&B, rap and hip-hop artists. This lineup is expected to bring energy to not only the stadium but to the homes of millions of viewers who will likely be wearing their critic hats during the performance, especially content-savvy Gen Z’s.
Rappers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar will join R&B singer Mary J. Blige. Typically, guest performers make surprise appearances during halftime shows. However, with the lineup already showcasing five performers, additional artists seem unlikely. The group consists primarily of throwback artists. Although every artist detailed in the lineup has amassed great success throughout their career, the opinion of Gen Z matters the most. Nowadays, this is the group that controls what appears on social media.
“This lineup is definitely interesting and unique compared to Super Bowls past. I’m neither opposed nor over the moon excited for it,” UF sophomore Lexi Skipper said. “Most artists in the group had their prime in the last 90s and early 2000s. Typically with rappers, they aren’t as good at performing live due to the heavy production on their songs. I feel like these performances might not be as good as it could be with a regular singer. I would have loved to have seen Dua Lipa perform at the Super Bowl because she always puts on a really great show and performance in one.”
While some Gen Z viewers, like Skipper, wanted to see modern-day pop artists grace the halftime show stage, others were looking forward to a change of pace from the Pepsi-sponsored performance.
“The halftime lineup this year is interesting and I’m excited to see how it plays out. I feel like this performance will be geared toward older generations. Nonetheless, I think the show will be one to remember because of all of the iconic artists and I’m looking forward to it,” UF senior Imani Hernandez said.
These staple artists, whether they are intended for an older demographic or not, are sure to gain the attention of many and amp up the excitement for the night.
Many are excited about the unpredictability and surprises that come with Super Bowl performances.
“I am sure something unpredictable will happen. It has to,” UF senior Danielle Kassab said. “I do not think that many people will care about the halftime show this year. That and the Super Bowl, in general, have lost its popularity.”
While there are elements of excitement to the Super Bowl halftime show, the ultimate critics will be Gen Z. Only time will tell whether the performances will hold up to any sort of hype. Though, at the end of the day, Gen Z will decide the fate of how the show is perceived.