In 1967, the NFL presented its first Super Bowl, and the halftime show looked very different from what fans see today. Back then, student marching bands and local drill teams entertained the crowd during the game’s break.
It was not until Michael Jackson’s iconic performance at Super Bowl 27 in 1993 that the halftime show became the cultural event we now expect. Jackson’s set was watched by an estimated 133.4 million viewers in the United States and 1.3 billion worldwide, setting the standard for all halftime shows to follow.
Since then, the halftime spot has hosted some of music’s biggest names, including Diana Ross, Prince, The Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. More recently, artists like Rihanna, Usher and Kendrick Lamar have kept the tradition alive, each adding their own style and statement to one of the world’s biggest stages.
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime performance currently holds the record as the most-watched halftime show in Super Bowl history. His show opened with actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam, acting as an antagonistic figure warning Lamar of being “too loud, too reckless, and too ghetto.”
The rapper pushed back, declaring, “The revolution’s about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” His set included a surprise appearance from Grammy-winning R&B artist SZA and nods to his public feud with rapper Drake, sparking online debate for weeks after the game.
With such a long history of iconic performances, students at GCSU were eager to share who they would like to see next.
“I would love to see Taylor Swift perform, especially following her amazing run during the Eras Tour,” said Sarah Barnhart, a junior mass communications major. Swift, who is currently the highest-grossing live music artist, recently announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce. “I know there are some rumors that she would, which would be awesome!” Barnhart added.
Carly Walker, a senior psychology major, said she would love to see Kesha take the stage. “Her tour has been so awesome, and I think everyone would get really excited about it,” Walker said.
Students also shared which past halftime shows left the biggest impression on them. Many pointed to Lamar’s 2025 performance as the most memorable.
“I really enjoyed Kendrick Lamar’s performance, which is strange for me since I don’t love rap,” Barnhart said. “I thought his performance was a great take on the cultural happenings in the world at the time, and it was groundbreaking, especially with the guest stars.”
Ella Bowen, a junior mass communications major, agreed. “…just the social discourse around everything going on with his beef with Drake. He also had a lot of symbolism with the racism issue in the United States in his lyrics.”
With students’ top picks ranging from pop superstars to alternative icons, one thing is clear: GCSU students are ready for another show-stopping performance when the Super Bowl rolls around this year.