Relive Pepsi’s Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Including Beyoncé and Katy Perry

I challenge anyone to watch Beyoncé’s 2013 Super Bowl halftime show and not get goosebumps. I don’t remember where I was during the Super Bowl in 2013, but I can say that after rewatching Queen Bey’s performance, there is a reason why it is regarded as one of the best of all time. Dressed in all black on a stage that was designed to look like two of her profiles facing one another, Beyoncé delivered a jaw-dropping show that consisted of her most popular songs throughout her career.

The show began with a medley of “Run the World (Girls)” and “Love on Top,” which blended effortlessly into “Crazy in Love,” the track that arguably cemented Beyoncé as a solo artist. After singing hits like “Baby Boy,” former Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams joined Bey for a showstopping performance of “Bootylicious,” “Independent Women Part 1,” and “Single Ladies.” Throughout the show, Beyoncé was accompanied by a dance group consisting of only women, which undoubtedly tied into her theme of female empowerment.

Watch Beyoncé’s performance on YouTube.

Dr. Dre’s 2022 Super Bowl halftime performance paid homage to the legacy of hip-hop in an incredible show that included some of the biggest artists in the genre, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent. If you’re a fan of rap and hip-hop like I am, it is nearly impossible not to dance or move in your seat while watching and listening to the incredible lineup.

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg took the stage first, opening with their song “The Next Episode.” As Snoop rapped the lyrics, he walked around the stage set, which consisted of different houses with band musicians and partiers inside them. The opener then transitioned to “California Love,” originally performed by Tupac, and was performed by Dre.

But the fun didn’t stop there. 50 Cent got the crowd jumping with his song “In Da Club”; Mary J. Blige effortlessly danced and sang “Family Affair”; and Kendrick Lamar entranced viewers with a passionate performance of “Alright.” Notably, longtime Dre collaborator Eminem joined the stage with Anderson Paak on drums to rap “Lose Yourself.”

With this many stars in one show, it would be an injustice to consider it in another spot on this list.

Watch the performance on YouTube.

As if J Lo and Shakira performing together wasn’t iconic enough, the two pop legends made history in 2020 as the first Latina singers to coheadline a Super Bowl halftime show. In just over 14 minutes, both J Lo and Shakira delivered a fast-paced, electric performance that highlighted their top songs while also honoring Latin culture through traditional dances like mapalé and champeta.

Shakira kicked things off first, and the Colombian singer opened with “She Wolf,” then moved onto “Empire,” and notably blended her iconic 2001 hit “Whenever, Wherever” with a special rendition of Cardi B’s “I Like It,” with a guest performance by Bad Bunny. She ended her segment with “Hips Don’t Lie,” which transitioned into an explosive performance of “Jenny From the Block” from J Lo, who performed on a pole surrounded by dancers. Fans of J Lo from all her eras appreciated her lineup of classics like “Waiting For Tonight,” as well as more contemporary hits like “On the Floor.” J Balvin joined the singer for a special version of “Mi Gente,” and J Lo’s daughter, Emme, helped sing “Let’s Get Loud” and “Born in the USA” while Lopez wrapped herself in a two-sided feather garment that had the Puerto Rican and USA flags on it.

Outside of the performance being absolutely breathtaking, the show also brought important attention to the ongoing immigrant crisis
.

Watch J Lo and Shakira’s performance on YouTube.

Lady Gaga is known for her unique and memorable performances, and her 2017 halftime show was no different. The spectacular event began with an angelic rendition of “God Bless America” with an assortment of lit drones behind her to emulate stars. At the song’s end, Gaga leapt down from the stadium rooftop (you probably remember the memes), and immediately jumped into “Poker Face.” Suspended with cables, she then transitioned to a passionate performance of “Born This Way,” with the accompaniment of dancers.

The set blended intergalactic elements with modern twists, but wasn’t super memorable in comparison to other halftime shows. What was unforgettable, however, were Gaga’s strong vocals and choreography throughout. If there are any doubters of her talent, Gaga’s ability to jump from a high-energy song like “Just Dance” to a melodic ballad like “Million Reasons” should be enough to convert any naysayer into a fan.

Watch Lady Gaga’s performance on YouTube.

Katy Perry’s 2015 Pepsi Super Bowl halftime performance is an amazing example of how much visuals and guest stars can help create an unbelievable show. To start, Perry opened with her power ballad “Roar” while riding on a giant puppet lion, and then moved to a constantly changing, illuminated stage for a stunning rendition of “Dark Horse.” A notable aspect of the show was Perry’s transition to “Teenage Dream” and “California Girl,” which featured a beachfront theme with dancing palm trees and sharks.

Costume changes, new set designs, and strong choreography made Perry’s performance strong enough by itself, but who can forget the additions of Lenny Kravitz for an amped-up rock cover of “I Kissed a Girl” as well as Missy Elliott, who performed three songs, including “Work It,” with Perry.

Watch Katy Perry’s performance on YouTube.