We heard last week that Maroon 5 – the band fronted by Adam Levine – is in all likelihood going to be the Super Bowl Halftime show next year. The news was met with yawns, eyerolls and shade. It would be one thing if Maroon 5 was still a major band, but are they? I know Adam Levine is still a thing, sadly, and I actually wondered if this was some kind of corporate synergy crap with NBC and The Voice. But no, next year’s Super Bowl airs on CBS. So basically, Maroon 5 was chosen because they’re white and uncontroversial. The problem? Next year’s Super Bowl is being held in Atlanta, which has been experiencing a black-led renaissance in music, television and film for more than a decade. There are SO MANY Atlanta-based musicians, bands, singers, and more. Maroon 5 is not Atlanta-based.
Obviously, the NFL knows that bringing in a bunch of white dudes to perform in the Halftime show will be a big problem. So, never fear, they have a solution: they’ll bring in Cardi B to, like, perform one song and then everybody will be happy, right? Yeah, no.
Hip-hop fans pissed at the NFL for the Maroon 5 halftime show decision might have their Hail Mary answered by none other than Cardi B — but the NFL might have to blink … TMZ has learned. Our sources say Cardi is in negotiations to perform her remix with Maroon 5, “Girls Like You” — and the main issue being discussed is whether or not CB gets a solo set. We’re told she’s getting a lot of offers to perform in early February … so she’s trying to make the best deal possible.
Super Bowl LIII is being held in Atlanta, and some fans were hoping the NFL would give props to the ATL’s hot music scene. Needless to say, Maroon 5 isn’t checking that box for those fans. Waka Flocka Flame told TMZ Sports the performers should be black and have connections to ATL.
One commenter pointed out that this would be an amazing opportunity for Outkast to perform together for the first time in years. That would be incredible. But it’s not going to happen. This is what we’re going to get: Adam Levine singing a never-ending medley – “SHE WILL BE LOOOOOVED” – and then Cardi B coming out to energize everybody for two minutes, and then she’ll go away and Adam will have to end it. At least when the NFL got Coldplay to perform, those English boys recognized that they desperately needed Bruno Mars and Beyonce. Will Maroon 5 be the same? Will they be the ones to say “actually, Cardi SHOULD get her own set, and we want Andre 3000 too?”
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Very very ashamed to say that *whispers* Maroon 5 was a guilty pleasure for a while, which horrifies my daughter to this day.
I find the Super Bowl politics very silly and feel very distant. I enjoy my sports as sports and my politics meaningful. None of these celebs, including Cardi B, seem like a satisfying political ex-libris.
But then again I lost the right to an opinion with my first sentence.
*Hides*
No shame in that at all–I was in college when they first came out, and they actually had some pretty decent songs. The only thing I don’t like is the *too* high pitched voice of Adam L….but, their melody and lyrics are/were pretty decent.
I was in Jr High when Songs About Jane came out. I still love that album. Actually – thinking back, I bought my now husband that album for valentines day when we were in 8th grade! I don’t care if it’s lame, or whatever, but I have a soft spot for Maroon 5.
I just don’t care about anything other than the commercials when it comes to the super bowl. I don’t have a team. I don’t care for the half time show, either. But like I said on the comment mentioned in the writeup – I’d actually love to see Outkast. I think they try so hard to just be appealing to a wide group of people and ‘safe’ that they end up with some kind of boring shows. And I am so sick of Bruno Mars. He’s incredibly talented but if I have to hear another song about how rich he is (or any musician for that matter), I’m going to take the radio out of my car.
Hi @Erinn and @Nikki, glad I am not the only one. Also liked the beginnings and not the new songs.
However, on a more serious tone, Outkast is a missed opportunity obvs.
*comes out from the shadows* I, too, was a fan of Maroon 5 when I was in highschool. They had a really cool sound with Songs about Jane (you’ve got to listen to the stuff that didn’t make it on the radio as well). They haven’t matured well, imo. In fact, I feel like they have progressively developed a more immature sound compared to when they started. I wish he would stop with the falsetto all the time. BRING BACK YOUR OLD SOUND. I usually hate when fans say that because bands/artists should be allowed to change and mature, but what they put out now for the most part is garbage.
Maroon 5 should not be in consideration for a multitude of reasons. One of those is that they are HORRIBLE live. They may be decent recorded, but live? No. I saw them once (free tickets) and they were so bad that we left after 3-4 songs.
As a Georgian. As an Atlantan. I’m so disgusted that Maroon 5 was chosen for this SuperBowl.
I do wonder how far down the list they were… Although I wouldn’t be surprised if CBS/the NFL (both being predominantly led by older white dudes) chose Maroon 5 as their idea of what’s “hip”, it would surprise me even less to learn that they reached out to black (Atlantan) artists and were told to sling their hook (as my nana would’ve said).
My Lucifer, OutKast reunion would BE AMAZINGGGGG!!!! I can only imagine the worldwide excitement around this possibility, why in that same world can the NFL not see this!? Absolutely bizarre. They should be throwing Outkast major $$$$, although I seem to remember hearing that these people aren’t paid for this show, which is a whole other can of problematic worms. Which reminds me that this is the same NFL who wanted to use Run The Jewels’s “Legend Has It” without paying them a single dime.
Seriously, so many problems in the same bag: violence, institutionalized racism, egregious cerebral injuries, dabs of jingoism, sexism, tax evasion…all around, the NFL is clearly the worst.
OutKast has actually performed several shows in Atlanta over the past 3-4 years. They were HUGE concerts- especially the two shows they did in Centennial Olympic Park. Missed opportunity by NFL.
Good for Cardi. Know your worth.
Outkast should have been the main act, really.
The NFL has made some really lame Super Bowl performance choices in recent years. Ugh. I’d appreciate some actual rock music now and again, but Outkast is certainly a better idea than Maroon 5. ANYONE is a better idea than Maroon 5.
Maroon 5 is a garbage fire of a choice right now. They are only clinging to fame because Adam Levine is on The Voice, and the only careers helped by The Voice are those of the judges. They have had a couple of okay songs, but it’s always been clear that Levine’s vocal ability was iffy at best, and the band was popular because some very misguided girls/women found him hot. Add Atlanta’s renaissance, the glut of talent that’s there, and the fact that the NFL is bathed in controversy, and this choice couldn’t be more tone deaf. I’m not sure I like the optics of Cardi B and such joining them, even with her own set. It’s a band-aid over a broken bone. The NFL just needs to change the performers, period.
This woman is violence prone gang member. I don’t think that is what the NFL should promote, especially considering all of the NFL’s problems.
Gang member? Since when? Proof, please.
She said it. She said she is a blood. Feel free to look it up if you don’t believe me. When someone freely admits something, take them at their word.
Ok, I looked it up. She WAS in a gang. She’s not anymore. She joined when she was 16. She openly tells girls NOT to join them. So now that I know the background, I’m having a really hard time understanding why you used this as a reason she should not be included in the half time show. Please, enlighten me.
She is quoted as saying about her blood affiliation, “I always mention it because it’s something I’ve been doing for a long time.” She also noted that while not necessarily active, she still checks in from time to time, “because you don’t leave your people behind.”
Also on her Instagram she recently said of a blue coat she had as to how she “hates wearing flue”, because that’s apparently how bloods disrespect crips.
..
Youre sort of picking and choosing the sound bites instead of her full message. She’s mentioned that being in a gang doesn’t make money, so there’s no point in being in one if you wanna be ambitious. She’s also said something along the lines of gangs being for young people or a teen thing, not really for grown adults who have jobs.
To me, and this is solely my opinion, to say don’t do it, but then to still use the language of the gang members, to follow the dress code of the gang, to still check in with the gang members, doesn’t indicate she is all that against the lifestyle. It’s easy to say don’t do this, they are just words, but her actions send a mixed message, at best. Added to the fact she still believes in using violence(i know it was a shoe, but still). Also, the nfl probably doesn’t want to remind people of their most famous member of the bloods, Aaron Hernandez.
I’m actually shocked the NFL isn’t going for country artists to appease the racists for Collin Kirkpatrick. They won’t have any rap acts being the main performer, only as guests. Maroon 5 is still big. At least they are constantly played on the radio and have Billboard hits.
Oh man, you got me excited about an Outkast reunion. Would add Janelle Monae to that set (she’s not from Atlanta, but she did live there a bit and has connections to Outkast). I would be psyched about that halftime show. I’ll be dreaming about it while Adam Levine drones on instead.
Janelle Monae lives in Atlanta and considers it her home. She got her break while she was at Spelman. Janelle actually opened for OutKast when they did their two big reunion shows here in Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park several years ago. TLC (obviously minus Lefteye) would’ve been good additions, as well. Even Childish Gambino (Donald Glover), Migos, Usher or Ludacris.
Cardi B had been around for five minutes. Is that really Super Bowl worthy? OutKast would be a great choice. I loved Maroon 5’s “Songs About Jane” — I had a “live” version and it was great. After that they became repetitive and way too commercial and I lost interest.
Agree re the 5 minutes. She hasn’t earned the “big stages” yet. Not that I watch the Bowl or anything, but it is still somewhat of a non-relevant big deal, right?
The NFL is getting paid by Maroon 5’s record label for this halftime show. They aren’t going to add Cardi B to their show. Maroon 5 may bend to criticism and invite an Atlanta artist who is on their same label, but it won’t be her. And why should it be? She’s not considered from the A.
Oh damn, that’s juicy. Where did you hear that?
That’s how it’s been for ages. That’s why we got lumberjack Timberlake last year. He had that godawful record to promote.
“Maroon 5 – the band fronted by Adam Levine”. Do people not know who fronts Maroon 5? Maroon 5 have been around for years and yes, they still are a major band with hits and successful tours. Why? I don’t know. Their stuff is hit or miss for me and most of their recent songs sound the same. IMO, this halftime sounds like a snooze. I’m assuming PINK is busy or turned it down because she is the only choice at this point for me. Cardi would be a fun addition, but I can’t see her hits like Bodak Yellow or Be Careful being appropriate. Maybe I Like It?
Agree P!NK would have made a lot of sense. She’s loved by all… I don’t think she makes strong political statements. I’m glad they’re talking to Cardi though. I would tune in for either, but right now Cardi is super exciting. Couldn’t wait to see what unfolds if she does the show. ATL representation would be appropriate, but I don’t expect the NFL to care or even try.
Did they not learn from Justin Timberlake’s half time of boring? I know performers are in deals for this way in advance, but they need to make this something that can reach out to everyone. One artist doesn’t have to be the show stopper
For me, this is a whiter than white slap in the face to Outkast, Usher, Ludacris, TPainn, and countless other popular, and talented Atlanta-based musicians. Maroon 5 is okay, but they, much-like last year’s Justin Timberlake, will prove to be an unending boring half-time (yawn) show. Cardi B is a very lucky, but completely untalented fad, who will probably and make a fool of herself…..as usual.
I’m all for booting Adam Levine and Maroon 5 for Cardi B. Adam is so yesterday and his music has always sucked. He wants to f-ck a hot girl forever. That’s basically the theme of each song. Cardi B is contemporary and I’d love to see her in the show, whatever her conditions. She’s red hot now, so let her bring it.
Oh, I see that THIS is going to go well. Cue sarcasm.
Lmao at maroon singing “she will be looooooved”. So boring. So embarrassing. It’s not 2004. First Justin, now this? Move forward with the times executives!