Ranking the Past 10 Super Bowl Performances

Sofia Bello and Sydney Hogancamp • February 7, 2025

Kendrick Lamar will take the stage with SZA to perform in New Orleans for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. The two artists have multiple top hits together and fans are hoping to see it live.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA will perform together during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar performed at the 2022 Super Bowl along with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige. After winning 5 Grammy awards, Lamar reportedly plans to perform his top hit “Not Like Us” during the halftime show. The Super Bowl halftime performers do not get paid for their work. However, they make money with the increased visibility to their songs. Viewers around the nation often listen to their music after their performance, replaying and searching for the performer’s music. The Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, Feb. 9, and many fans are eager to see this performance unfold.

Halftime Shows

10. Super Bowl LIII - 2019

Maroon 5 performed at Mercedes Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia) with Travis Scott. They performed hit songs Sicko Mode and Sugar. This performance took place during a controversial time in the NFL with blacklisting of Colin Kaepernick. Maroon 5’s performance is widely regarded as one of the most disappointing halftime shows in recent history. The setlist felt uninspired and the guest appearances from Travis Scott and Big Boi felt out of place. Overall his performance lacked the energy, cohesion, and spectacle expected from a Super Bowl halftime show.

9. Super Bowl LVIII - 2024

Usher performed at Allegiant Stadium (Paradise, Nevada) along with Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Jermaine Dupri. Usher did a set of 2000s R&B like his big hit Love in This Club. There were no big thrills other than his dance moves.

8. Super Bowl LII - 2018

Justin Timberlake kept it casual in Minneapolis, Minnesota performing in the U.S. Bank Stadium. Justin was promoting a new album Man of the Woods focusing his show on his latest songs. His performance wasn’t as eye-catching as others, which is why he is getting this ranking.

7. Super Bowl LV - 2021

For the first pandemic Super Bowl, The Weeknd performed in Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida). The Weeknd took a different approach with a cinematic performance, but it was divisive among fans. His choice to invest millions of his own money into production led to dazzling visuals, like the Blinding Lights sequence in a hall of mirrors. One of the biggest issues was the lack of energy and engagement with the audience. The eerie aesthetic, featuring dancers with bandaged faces felt more unsettling than entertaining, leaving many viewers confused. While his vocals were strong, the lack of major guest stars and the ominous tone made it one of the more unusual Super Bowl performances.

6. Super Bowl 50 - 2016

In our home state, Coldplay performed at Levi’s Stadium (Satan Clara, California) featuring Beyonce and Bruno Mars. Coldplay’s halftime show was a vibrant, uplifting celebration of music, love, and unity. Chris Martin and the band brought their signature colorful aesthetic to life with a visually stunning stage filled with bright flowers, rainbow-colored effects, and anthemic songs like Viva La Vida and Paradise. The inclusion of Beyoncé and Bruno Mars made it only better, creating a seamless blend of different styles and genres. The grand finale, featuring a tribute to past Super Bowl Performances and the message “Believe in Love” displayed across the stadium made it one of the most heartfelt and unifying halftime shows in recent memory.

5. Super Bowl LI - 2017

Performing solo, Lady Gaga took center stage at NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas). Gaga made history as she jumped off the top of the stadium, flying down to her crowd and putting on a show. Her performance was a masterclass in both vocals and athleticism, featuring high-energy choreography. She danced and played the piano to her most played tracks Poker Face, Born This Way, and Edge of Glory.

(Huntley Paton)

4. Super Bowl XLIX - 2015

Katy Perry’s halftime show was a spectacle from start to finish, packed with larger than life visuals, hit songs, and unforgettable moments. She made one of the most dramatic entrances, riding in on a massive golden robotic lion while signing Roar, instantly setting the tone for a high-energy performance. The show continued with dazzling choreography, vibrant costumes, and a mix of songs including Teenage Dream and Dark Horse. Guest appearances from Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliot, whose surprise only added to the excitement. And, of course, “Left Shark” became an instant pop culture icon, with his offbeat dance moves going viral. Katy Perry closed out the performance in spectacular fashion, soaring across the stadium on a shooting star while belting Firework.

3. Super Bowl LVI - 2022

Hip-hop finally got its moment on the Super Bowl stage, and this star-studded lineup did not disappoint. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg kicked off with a West Coast vibe, followed by unforgettable performances from Eminen, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Bligr. 50 Cent’s surprise upside-down entrance was a nostalgic throwback, and Eminemm’s decision to kneel during Lose Yourself sparked discussion about social justice. With a stunningly designed set resembling a California neighbourhood and a lineup of legendary artists, this show was not only a nostalgic trip for hip-hop fans but also a cultural moment that proved the genre’s massive influence.

2. Super Bowl LIV - 2019

This Latin fueled spectacle delivered everything a halftime show should: high-energy, choreography, dazzling costumes, and cultural representation. Shakira and J.Lo’s dynamic performance blended their signature styles from belly dancing to pole dancing, and even included a tribute to J.Lo’s Puerto Rican heritage with her daughter singing Born in the USA. Guest appearances from J Balvin and Bad Bunny elevated the show further, making it a celebration of Latin music’s global impact.

1. Super Bowl LVII - 2023

Rihanna’s halftime show was nothing short of iconic, proving that simplicity can be just as effective as extravagance. While she didn’t bring out any guest performers, her floating platforms, bold red jumpsuit, and the major surprise of revealing her pregnancy made this one of the most talked-about performances in Super Bowl history.

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About the Contributors

Sofia Bello, Arts & Entertainment

Sofia is a senior at San Juan Hills High School and is returning for her fourth and final year here on The Express. She has a strong passion for reading, baking, and could listen to music all day. She loves the color pink, watching sunsets, and spending time with her best friend. In the future she hopes to study criminal psychology and criminal psychology as well as own a fashion line one day. Inside of school she is a part of NHS, CSF, Creative writing club, and Publishing club. She cannot wait for another year full of new friendships, fun, and spreading the voices of her community.

Sydney Hogancamp, Sports Editor

Sydney Hogancamp is a senior at San Juan Hills High School and this is her third year in The Express Newspaper. She is a bilingual student, being fluent in both Spanish and English, and she is the Spanish and Features Editor for The Express. She plays for the San Juan Hills girls varsity flag football team. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as playing club flag football. She hopes to pursue a career in the sports industry.

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