Eminem goes against NFL with defiant act ​

A half time show of epic proportions has made this year’s Super Bowl one of the most memorable in history.

Social media has lit up with praise for hip hop legends Dr Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar.

But it was the moment Eminem took the stage that set tongues wagging most — with the 49-year-old taking to one knee after NFL officials reportedly shut down the idea during a behind-the-scenes clash.

The symbolic gesture of “taking the knee” is an anti-racism protest originated by American football player Colin Kaepernick in 2016.

Kaepernick knelt during the US national anthem before a football match on September 1, 2016, to highlight the lack attention given to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States.

Taking the knee has since been adopted at Black Lives Matter protests globally.

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According to a report from Puck, the rapper wanted to kneel “Colin Kaepernick-style”, but NFL officials rejected the idea, the New York Post reports.

The report also said league organisers “also flagged something that Snoop Dogg was set to wear as possibly appearing gang-related.”

While Snoop Dogg’s outfit choice was presumably nixed, Eminem stuck with his original plan, defying the NFL.
 

The spectacular treat featured during the clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, catering majorly to the rap fans among us in a nostalgic medley of hits which thrilled fans.

Some even likened the performance to Prince performing Purple Rain, in the rain at the 2007 Super Bowl.
 

Check out the set list below:

1. “The Next Episode” — Snoop Dogg

2. “California Love” — Dr. Dre

3. “In Da Club” – 50 Cent

4. “Family Affair” – Mary J. Blige

5. “No More Drama” – Mary J. Blige

6. “M.a.a.D City” – Kendrick Lamar

7. “Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

8. “Lose Yourself” – Eminem

9. “Still D.R.E.” – Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
 

Last year, The Weeknd poured millions of his own money into his performance, which was met with a mixed response from fans who claimed it paled in comparison to 2020’s iconic Sharika and J-Lo number, which some slammed for being “too sexy”.
 

She has been a regular attendee at sporting events over the summer and was spotted cheering on her rumoured new boyfriend, Australian tennis player Matt Reid, at the Sydney Tennis Classic last month.

Elsewhere, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stole the show before kick-off at Super Bowl LVI with an electrifying gee-up.

And Kanye West was met with a brutal reception from spectators, who booed when the rapper appeared on the big screen from his seat.