The National Football League (NFL) announced that Rihanna will be the performing artist at the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show.
Players and fans are set for a thrilling experience at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 12, 2023 with a performance from nine-time Grammy award-winning artist Rihanna.
Roc Nation will be the strategic advisors and producers for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. Apple Music succeeds Pepsi as the sponsor for the event. Their inaugural performer will be Rihanna, who has sold over 38 million albums worldwide.
In a press statement following the announcement, rap artist Jay- Z, the founder of Roc Nation, coined Rihanna as a “generational talent.”
Rihanna had a chance to shine during Super Bowl LIII in 2019. However, she declined the offer to be the halftime performer, standing in solidarity with former quarterback and social justice advocate Colin Kaepernick.
Nearly four years later, she is now ready to take the stage for the first time since performing with DJ Khaled at the 2018 Grammys. Although she has appeared in music cameos since her last album Anti in 2016, Rihanna’s focus has been elsewhere for the past few years. The new mother exposed versatile creativity through her cosmetic brand, Fenty.
Even those who aren’t a fan of the sport will be tuning in to watch the artist perform in February. Howard freshman psychology major Jamiya Williams, who was 12 when Rihanna released her last album, spoke for the masses upon hearing this news. Williams stated that she will probably not watch the game, but will tune in to see Rihanna.
“Chances that I watch the game are slim,” Williams said. “But being that I don’t watch the Super Bowl, it’s nice to hear because who doesn’t love Rihanna?”
Though a legend in her own lane, Rihanna will be joining a list of Half-Time performers that has included Michael Jackson, Prince, Dr. Dre, and Stevie Wonder. In a sit-down with radio station Apple Music 1, Dr. Dre admitted to having butterflies when performing in last year’s Super Bowl halftime show. “It made me extremely nervous,” he said. The Beats co-founder accredited a smooth process to “preparation and making sure you have the right people around you.”
Rihanna must decide if one of those “right people” will be a special guest gracing the stage with her. Whether she rocks out solo or not, just seeing her in action will be memorable for many.
Copy edited by Alana Matthew
