(Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone) “Michael Jackson’s halftime show is among the most acclaimed of them all.”

Jake Messer
Connector Editor

Throughout the 59 different iterations of the annual Super Bowl, teams have come and gone, venues have been renovated and the commercials have only got more eye-catching as the years have gone by. However, the one thing that has been a mainstay in the Super Bowl’s long, storied history is its halftime show. 

A moment in pop culture, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has become an attraction for many, as people who aren’t even fans of football tune in to watch the performance. The show has become a must-see moment in the entertainment calendar, but, in its near 60-year run, which performer stands above the rest and can lay claim to having the best Super Bowl Halftime performance? 

For many younger fans, they would point to Dr. Dre’s performance in 2022, as his show in Los Angeles was a spotlight on the history of hip-hop, marking the first time the genre was featured on America’s halftime show.  

Dre, who brought on stage legendary rappers Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, and were fantastic as renditions of their biggest hits echoed on televisions across the nation. In addition, Dre had some surprises in store as he brought out 50 Cent to play his hit song, “In Da Club.” A 14-minute showing that grabbed everyone’s attention on what hip-hop really stands for. 

The performance, which was not only a major commercial success, ended up being a critically acclaimed one as well. During that year’s Emmy Awards, the performance won the award for the most outstanding live variety special. This marked the first time the halftime show had won a major award. 

For fans of a different generation, they might point to the late, great Prince’s performance back in 2007, which marked a resurgence in The Prince of Funk’s popularity amongst the masses, with old and new fans alike enthralled by the show. 

Dressed in his iconic purple suit, Prince tore down the house in Miami, playing his most well-known and beloved hits from the ’80s and ’90s. Prince, who very clearly still had it, brought the house down with his performance of his biggest song, “Purple Rain,” which surely sent the fans of the Purple One home happy, reinforcing his impact on music and his status as one of the best musicians of his generation. 

For fans of an even older generation they will point to The King of Pop’s show in 1993 as the best halftime show in history, as many point to Michael Jackson’s performance as the start of the modern, flashy Super Bowl Halftime Show.  

Given his immense, worldwide popularity in the mid 90’s, the NFL gave Jackson no barriers, no limitations, wanting him to do what he does best, capture the eyes and ears of everyone in the world. In typical Jackson fashion, he delivered in droves. 

Famously, Jackson started the show by making the audience wait, building up anticipation for his electric performance. From start to finish, Jackson kept the fans waiting for nearly two whole minutes, until he finally busted out into his iconic dance moves and performed some of his most beloved songs.  

Jackson, whose performance carried themes of unity and peace, concluded the show by singing, “Heal the World,” surrounded by thousands of young children, as an inflatable Earth blew up behind the King of Pop, ending the show in optimism rather than enjoyment.  

Over the years, many have tried to show out and dazzle the nation with their performance, with very little long-term, lasting success. However, these three performances, whether cherished or dismissed, are still being discussed and mentioned when posed the question of, “What is the best Super Bowl Halftime Show?”