22 performers we want to see perform a Super Bowl Halftime Show

There may not be a more impactful star in the world of rap than Jay-Z, who founded an uber-successful company in Roc Nation, which partnered with the NFL in relation to the Super Bowl in 2019 (h/t The Wall Street Journal). If Jay-Z were to get the chance to take center stage at the Super Bowl, so much attention would be placed on who he would have come out with him, whether it be his wife, Beyoncé (who has already played a halftime show), or any one of his star connections. 

While their success was built behind their former legendary frontman, Freddie Mercury, Queen continues to remain relevant with Adam Lambert at the forefront. The 2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 to celebrate their musical success.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show would be the perfect place for this band to showcase their greatest hits and the aptly appropriate "We Are The Champions." 

Over the years, Fall Out Boy has really tapped into the stadium anthems, and what better place to show off these songs than at the Super Bowl? Between "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" and "Centuries," Fall Out Boy isn't short on well-known, mainstream songs. Add in their emo-rock hits like "Thnks fr th Mmrs" and "Sugar We're Goin Down," and this is sure to provide a jolt of energy in between the action on the field. 

No one has more Billboard Music Awards than Drake. There's no doubt his music resonates with millions of people, and it doesn't hurt that he's already prominently connected with the sports world, whether sitting courtside at an NBA game or showing off one of his betting tickets. Drake has a surplus of hits he could tap into, and it would sure be a slam dunk among fans and players alike. 

There may not be a singer whose star is rising as rapidly as Dua Lipa's is right now. If you don't know her songs, well, that's a lie. Many of her biggest hits are chart-climbers on the radio, including "Levitating" and "Don't Start Now." 

She's still relatively new to the scene, but there's no doubt she already has a wealth of songs to perform at a halftime show. In another year or two, she'll undoubtedly have more than enough to garner an appearance at the Super Bowl. 

It seems unimaginable that this band hasn't performed at the Super Bowl yet. Their songs are world-class, and there aren't many bands who can lay claim to having three mega-hits like "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child O' Mine," and "Paradise City." String those three songs together along with some of their other chart-toppers, and this could easily be among the best halftime shows. 

After a five-year hiatus, Nicki Minaj released her fifth album last year, thus putting her back on the map for a halftime show wishlist. She'll also be headlining her tour in 2024. She has seen 23 of her songs reach the top 10 on Billboard with a trio of No. 1's in "Say So," Super Freaky Girl," and "Trollz." 

This country star has been at it for a while now, and a celebration of his work is long overdue. He's become an even bigger star in the last six-plus years as an American Idol judge. His resume includes 30 No. 1 songs and a pair of CMA Entertainer of the Year awards. 

Her career has been mesmerizing, with plenty of ups and downs, but the ups just keep on coming. The former Disney Channel star has become a mainstay on the charts with her most recent No. 1 in "Flowers." She wouldn't be short for finding a setlist either, as she has 12 songs that have appeared in the top 10, and from an entertainment perspective, she certainly would provide plenty of viral moments. 

As the NFL continues to expand into international markets, there's going to be more demand for artists who reach audiences beyond America. Super Bowl LIV already confirmed the potential success in international chart-toppers with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez taking the stage. 

Why not use Spotify's one-time most streamed artist, Bad Bunny? He also had the most-streamed album on the platform in 2023 with Un Verano Sin Ti. The energy would be electric, with him taking center stage. 

Foo Fighters really do deserve an appearance at the Super Bowl. Frontman Dave Grohl has become a larger-than-life musician responsible for some of this generation's biggest songs. "Everlong," "Learn to Fly," and "Monkey Wrench" are easily recognizable songs that would make for a stunning performance. 

Real ones remember Ariana Grande's breakout on Nickelodeon's Victorious, but in terms of mainstream success, Grande really began to take off with her second studio album, which netted "Problem" and "Bang Bang." Since then, Grande has become one of the most recognizable music stars, including having all of her full-length albums certified platinum by the RIAA. 

The band has gone from a heartthrob boy band that appeared on The Disney Channel to one that is far more mature over their last two albums. They may not be on the radar for some in terms of taking the grand stage at a Super Bowl, but there's no doubt they have the resume to do so. They have secured three Billboard Hot 100 songs in the top 10, including a No. 1 with "Sucker" in 2019. 

The man has simply become an icon across music and fashion. Being able to put all of that together for a halftime show would only be fitting for the former One Direction member. Styles' work includes No. 1s in "Watermelon Sugar" and "As It Was," along with a series of radio hits in "Late Night Talking" and "Adore You." Styles' star has also reached the acting world with appearances in Eternals and Don't Worry Darling.

The band is back together with its 2024 North American tour. With Tom DeLonge now back in the fold, there wouldn't be a better time for Blink to recapture the grand stage than an upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. It would be fitting since they're riding the tails of their latest album and all of its success, which includes the One More Time... album becoming the third of theirs to reach No. 1. 

Kanye West is never one to shy away from questionable headlines and is undeniably controversial by now, but having one of this generation's most influential artists perform at the Super Bowl would instantly be a must-watch television. He has more than 140 songs that have appeared on the Billboard charts, which means he has more than enough to pick from for a compelling set in between halves. 

Would the NFL be interested in a Kanye halftime show? That remains to be seen, but he did have an impactful commercial air during the 2024 Super Bowl, for what it's worth. 

This band isn't all too unfamiliar with playing at a major sporting event. Green Day just played at the CFL's 2023 Grey Cup halftime show. The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is among the best-selling bands ever and has earned 20 Grammy nominations over the years. They've achieved a lot in their year, including a Broadway adaptation of "American Idiot," so receiving the honor of playing at the Super Bowl wouldn't be shocking. 

Let's get creative with this one. One of our generation's biggest reality shows, American Idol , has brought some of today's biggest stars to the mainstream. This includes the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, and a slew of others like Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, and Scotty McCreery. Imagine getting a collection of these performers on the stage together.

Going a step further, if this were to ever happen, it would likely be in 2027 or 2031 when ABC (Idol's network) will hold the broadcasting rights for the Big Game. 

The "Queen of Christmas" is far more than a seasonal artist. Her career began with a bang as she locked up five straight No. 1s, and she's continued to reinvent herself over the years after a brief lull. Carey is among the best-selling artists in the world and would be a no-brainer for a halftime performance if given the opportunity. 

The Zac Brown Band has transcended the country music genre, making them a perfect candidate to perform a halftime show in the future. They certainly can tap into their country hits like "Chicken Fried" and "Knee Deep," but their ability to tap into other genres can add a fun dynamic to their performance. They have rock songs like "Heavy is the Hand" with Chris Cornell, the late frontman for Soundgarden, and "Junkyard," which intertwines a song from Pink Floyd.

One of the genre's most influential, it's only fitting that OutKast gets a chance to show off its musical prowess on a grand stage. The only snag here would be getting the group back together, as André 3000 and Big Boi went in separate directions decades ago.

That said, getting them back for a celebration of their careers would be monumental. The fans would go crazy seeing one more performance of "Ms. Jackson" and "Hey Ya!"

This one seems like it's close to happening. The NFL and Taylor Swift officially became a thing in the 2023 season. It seems inevitable at this point that this generation's biggest music star will take the stage if she wants to. From putting on the most successful world tour to No. 1 album after No. 1 album, Swift's work speaks for itself.