Super Bowl LVI: Halftime show shines with hip-hop stars

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By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Legendary rap and hip-hop performers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Mary J. Blige took the stage for Super Bowl LVI’s halftime show Sunday and lived up to their promise to “open more doors” for future artists.

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Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg kicked off the show with “Next Episode” and “California Love.”

Then, 50 Cent, not among the announced performers, started his “In Da Club” while hanging upside inside one of the rooms.

Blige was dressed in silver sparkles, while Eminem was surrounded by a rock band. The rapper performed “Lose Yourself,” and at one point took a knee.

The set contained old-time convertibles and replicas of the Tam’s Burgers stand.

>> Super Bowl LVI: Halftime hip-hop performers will rap to stronger beat

There was plenty of star power at SoFi Stadium. Four of the five performers for Sunday’s show have combined to win 44 Grammy Awards. Only Snoop Dogg has not won a Grammy, despite earning 16 nominations.

Eminem, who has been nominated 44 times, tops the list with 15 Grammy Awards, with Lamar nominated 39 times and winning 13 awards. Blige has captured nine Grammys after 31 nominations and Dr. Dre has been nominated 26 times and has been a winner seven times.

Here is some Super Bowl history. In 1972, jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald was the first Black woman to sing during a Super Bowl halftime show.


Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Dr. Dre performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Eminem performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Anderson .Paak performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: 50 Cent performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: 50 Cent performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Photos: Super Bowl halftime Dr. Dre gets ready for the halftime show at Super Bowl LVI. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

Photos: Super Bowl LVI halftime Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg perform during halftime. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Super Bowl halftime Mary J. Blige performs during halftime. (Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press )

Super Bowl LVI halftime: Eminem and Dr. Dre perform during halftime. (Rob Carr/Getty Images )

Super Bowl LVI halftime Snoop Dogg performs at SoFi Stadium. (Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press )

Super Bowl LVI halftime Halftime at Super Bowl LVI had a star-studded cast. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LVI halftime Mary J. Blige performs during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

Super Bowl LVI halftime Mary J. Blige performs during halftime at SoFi Stadium. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)