Super Bowl 2023: Musicians at the Big Game

Musicians didn’t just appear in some of Super Bowl 2023’s flashiest commercials – they were also at the big game that pitted the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. After all, who wants to miss Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show? It’s the “Work” singer’s first public performance since she took the Grammy’s stage in 2018 alongside DJ Khaled for their collab “Wild Thoughts.”

Held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., some of the musicians were on hand to watch the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs, while others also performed. Sheryl Lee Ralph was among those who took the mic. The Abbott Elementary star made history when she performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” becoming the first performer to deliver what’s considered the Black national anthem on the field before kickoff. Chris Stapleton also left viewers in tears with his emotional performance of the national anthem.

Not surprisingly, Jay-Z – whom Billboard just named the greatest rapper of all time – was in attendance, with daughter Blue Ivy by his side. The 24-time Grammy winner is the co-founder of Roc Nation, the NFL’s live music entertainment partner. Roc Nation also manages Rihanna.

Besides those in the stands, many artists appeared in the highly anticipated commercials. Among them are Jennifer Lopez, who made a cameo in husband Ben Affleck’s Dunkin’ Donuts spot; Diddy in an Uber One commercial; Jack Harlow with Missy Elliott and Elton John in a Doritos ad; John Travolta in a T-Mobile ad; Sarah McLachlan in a Busch Light ad; Metro Boomin in a Budweiser ad; and more.

See the musicians who were at Super Bowl LVII below.

Jenny Regan

Billboard