Social media was flooded with disapproving comments about the Super Bowl halftime show, which was the first hip hop halftime show ever and featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar.
Why was there so much criticism?
The foundation of the criticism of the halftime show seemed to be the contempt some Americans have for hip hop music. Any judgment of art is subjective. The definition of subjective is judgment based on a person’s perspective on life - feelings or opinions rather than fact. The negative or positive reaction to the hip hop halftime show is, in fact, subjective.
My respect for and appreciation of hip hop is an integral part of my opinions about music. While I am not a huge hip hop fan personally, I understand why the NFL dedicated the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show to the hip hop genre.
The Super Bowl halftime show featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cents, and Kendrick Lamar. From my professional perspective, I thought the show was slick and well-produced on a simple, but mood-setting set that reflected urban America. The ease with which each artist flowed through melodies of their songs created a seamless montage of classic hip hop hits that clearly targeted hip hop music lovers everywhere.
Appreciation of hip hop is more defined by generations than race. Suburban white teens who grew up with hip hop as a music option love hip hop and love dancing and moving to hip hop.
However, many of today’s establishment reject hip hop as a sub-standard style that suggests violence. The argument that hip hop is innately violent reminds me of the controversy in the 80s when Christian rock bands, such as Stryper, were condemned by the Christian right as blasphemous even though the message promoted Jesus and Christian beliefs. There were those who argued that the use of a rock melody was anti-Christian and should be condemned.
Today, there are Christian hip hop and rap artists, like Lecrae, who use the hip hop/rap beats to project a positive message about Christ. The message of any song should be more important than the music. The music is a way of delivering a message and since Jesus used contemporary parables and images to promote His message - why wouldn’t we believe that Jesus would approve of using the melodies of rock or hip hop to promote His message?
Rolling Stone is out with their list of the top Super Bowl halftime shows:
1. Prince (2007)
2. U2 (2002)
3. Beyoncé (2013)
4. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige (2022)
5. Aerosmith, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Nelly, and Mary J. Blige (2001)
After performing his hit, “Lose Yourself,” Eminem, wearing a hoodie, took a knee on the stage, sparking controversy and outrage. Was it a gesture to former NFL QB Colin Kaepernick, who started kneeling protests in 2016?
Honestly, I thought about how no players were kneeling during the National Anthem; and it made me think about how the controversy had died down and we were beyond that now. When I saw Eminem kneel and bow his head after his performance - it never occurred to me that the action was a protest. Never. Then this morning I am reading the criticism, and I guess that is a possibility. The kneeling seemed like nothing more than a dramatic gesture. Only Eminem can tell us his intention.
Many Americans are closed-minded to things they are unfamiliar with or things they don’t personally like - but the mass popularity of hip hop made it worth of taking over one of music’s biggest stages.