Anderson .Paak Remembers Begging To Perform Superbowl LVI

Anderson .Paak’s path to the Tremendous Bowl LVI halftime stage began not with a cellphone name, however with nerve and a little bit of Photoshop.

The nine-time Grammy winner appeared in February 2022 as drummer throughout Dr. Dre’s blockbuster halftime present, which additionally featured Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and a shock look from 50 Cent. On the Aug. 9 episode of Drink Champs, .Paak detailed how dedication — and a playful stunt — secured him a spot in one in every of tv’s most-watched dwell occasions.

Three years later, the musician nonetheless recollects recognizing the official halftime present flyer and noticing his absence. “I wasn’t about to be left off that stage,” he mentioned. “I hit Dre direct. ‘Dre, what the fuck? Let me get on that joint. Let me play drums, one thing. I gotta get in there.’”

Dre provided pleasant reassurance, however .Paak determined to take it additional. He crafted his personal flyer, digitally inserting himself into the lineup. “I’m going to only throw myself on there,” he mentioned. Dre laughed on the gag however advised him to verify individuals knew it was a joke.

The joke paid off. On sport day, .Paak performed drums for Eminem’s efficiency of “Lose Your self,” unable to include his grin regardless of making an attempt to remain severe. “I had the most important smile the entire time,” he mentioned.

On the time, .Paak was additionally making ready for Silk Sonic’s Las Vegas residency with Bruno Mars, leaving him solely two or three rehearsals for the halftime present. He targeted on one objective: not dropping his drumsticks. 

“The way in which they orchestrated it, it went off with no hitch,” he mentioned. “That was an enormous second for positive.”

The 2022 halftime broadcast drew greater than 100 million viewers and earned two Inventive Arts Emmys — for Excellent Selection Particular (Reside) and Excellent Manufacturing Design — in addition to a Primetime Emmy for Excellent Music Course.

For .Paak, it stays a lesson in persistence, fast considering and realizing when to take a artistic leap. Or, as he calls it, “pressured manifestation.” In his case, the power led straight to the most important stage in American sports activities.