THE ANGELS | For the first time in Super Bowl history, hip-hop will take center stage at the halftime show. This open door will no longer close, assure the guest artists.
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At the halftime show press conference ahead of Super Bowl 56 on Sunday night in Los Angeles, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige praised the NFL’s initiative, while scorching the league for its slowness to turn to this popular genre.
Eminem and Kendrick Lamar will complete this group of stars, but they were not present in front of the countless cameras.
“We’re going to open doors for other hip-hop artists in the future by making sure the NFL understands that this should have been done a long time ago,” said Dr. Dre.
“It’s a great moment, which will combine the greatest sporting event in the world with the best style of music in the world,” added Snoop Dogg.
Controversies in sight?
The guest artists are not lacking in supporters. Between them, they signed 22 songs that rose to the top of the charts, which allowed them to win 44 Grammy awards.
Their popularity is certainly not due to their ability to compromise, they who have always done things their own way.
Moreover, unlike all the other press conferences of the half-time show, no questions from the journalists were accepted. The trio instead opted for a discussion with moderators. In this context, Snoop Dogg obviously did not have to respond to the allegations of sexual assault that have just been filed against him.
“We appreciate the NFL bringing hip-hop to this show because we know a lot of people don’t want it on stage. We are here now and there is nothing you can change,” he said.
Ever since Super Bowl 38 18 years ago, when singer Janet Jackson’s breast was exposed, the NFL has been shuddering at the prospect of a similar controversy.
Dr. Dre took pleasure in making fun of the situation.
“I had to convince Snoop and Eminem not to take their penises out on stage,” he said, while Snoop Dogg choked on laughter.
In their backyard
Dr. Dre was one of the great pioneers of the hip-hop movement, with the rise of his group NWA in the 1980s. In addition to accumulating records, he became a producer and discovered the talents that would join to him on stage Sunday.
“Dre’s proteges are gathered here, where it all began, in Los Angeles. That’s hip-hop and that’s what the NFL needs to recognize,” Snoop Dogg insisted.
The halftime show usually lasts 12 minutes and the performers promised there would be surprises, without saying more.
They comment
“All my life, I’ve always enjoyed being underestimated. We are going to destroy this shit! »
– Dr. Dre
“What awaits me when it’s all over?” A drink! After all the focus on that Super Bowl show, it’s gonna take something really strong. »
– Mary J. Blige
“Mary brings a lot to the group, because she softens our tough image a bit… but there’s no doubt, it’s still a gangster show! »
– Snoop Dogg
“Who else could have done this show here in Los Angeles? Who else but these fantastic artists that we have gathered for this great moment? We want this halftime show to be the best ever. This is what we want, 1000%. From the first rehearsal, it was fantastic. We’re heading for something special. »
– Dr. Dre