Welcome back music lovers! Today's post is to prepare you all for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime event. I would also like to put some thoughts in your heads as you watch Beyonce and others light up the arena. The media has been running wild in the past month over this spectacle so lets see, what is really driving every one crazy?
What's the Big Deal?
What is the big deal you ask? It's quite simple, this event will be the first major performance from Beyonce since the birth of her child, Blue Ivy Carter. This will also be the first headlining performance from an African American female artist at the Super Bowl since Janet Jackson and the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" nearly a decade ago. Interesting enough, the media has spent most of their energy feeding into the buzz over whether or not Beyonce can sing (as if her career hasn't proved that already). Hopefully, her recent performance of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl press conference will answer that question:
Black Women at the Super Bowl
Of course I can not post a blog without giving you some sort of a history lesson so lets take the time to look at all the African American female artist who entertained the crowds at the Super Bowl. The grandest and classiest of them all, Ella Fitzgerald, performed at the Super Bowl in 1972. Fitzgerald was the first on a very short list of black performers who graced the stage within the first 25 years of the event. There would not be another black recording artist to perform until 1990 when soul legend Irma Thomas took to the stage with other various artists. Throughout the 90's the NFL association would invite a few more popular black female artists to entertain their audiences both at the event and looking from television. These artist included:
Pattie Labelle - 1995
Diana Ross - 1996
Martha Reeves - 1999
Queen Latifah - 1999
Chaka Khan - 1999
The 2000's was a decade filled with cultural change and controversy for the halftime event. Toni Braxton brought a more modernized show when she entertained the masses live in 2000. Mary J. Blige then took part in the finale of Aerosmith's "Walk this Way" in a 2001 halftime that included other major artists. 2004 was the year Janet Jackson excited the crowd for all the wrong reasons and caused major changes in the broadcastin of future Super Bowls thereafter. Nicki Minaj was the first black female since Ms. Jackson to be seen at a halftime show when she teamed up with M.I.A. to assist Madonna at last year's event. Beyonce will add to the elite list of talented, African American, female artists at the Super Bowl event this Sunday. Click here for the full list of all time Super Bowl performances.
What to Expect
If you have not already seen the leaked set list of Beyonce's upcoming show here it is. My personal expectation is that even though Beyonce is seen as a major sex symbol, (who got knocked up) the NFL and television network will not be ready to completely let go of what happened years ago. Expect to see a milder "bubble-gum" image from Beyonce and Destiny's Child with a few "steamy" moments on-stage.
Final Thought
Regardless of whether or not Beyonce will be lip-syncing or showing a boob or two one thing that can be promised by the superstar is an incredibly exciting show. After it is all said and done Beyonce will leave everything she has on that stage for the audience to remember and for critics to discuss. Make sure you find yourself right back on my page Monday the day after the Super Bowl for my thoughts and your comments on the game and halftime show. There will be no post on Sunday. So get your chips and beers and have fun this weekend!
Live the Music...
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