When the madness that is 2020 is all over, we have some sort of normalcy to look forward to as Super Bowl LV is scheduled to be played on February 7, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. As teams scrap to make the playoffs heading toward the holidays, The Weeknd revealed on Twitter that he will be the Super Bowl LV halftime performer.
The Weeknd released his "After Hours" album in March of this year, right as the coronavirus pandemic was forcing much of the country into quarantine. The Canadian-born crooner captured the attention of R&B fans in the early 2010s with his mysterious persona and brooding vibes. As his brand grew more transparent and his songs have added tempo, he's transformed into a flashy pop star beloved by soccer moms.
Fans can probably expect to hear chart-topping hits "Heartless," "Can't Feel My Face," "Starboy," and "Pray For Me," the Kendrick Lamar-assisted bop from the "Black Panther" soundtrack. Day one supporters of The Weeknd will probably not be treated to the gloomy goodness of "High For This" or "The Zone," although "Wicked Games" might be the perfect throwback to complete the historic set.
The Weeknd is following Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's fiery halftime performance at last year's Super Bowl in Miami. There has been controversy over the NFL's support of the Black community after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was seemingly blackballed for speaking out against social injustices. Rihanna famously turned down an invitation to perform in the coveted show to stand in solidarity with Kaepernick.
This year, with a renewed rise in racial tensions, the NFL spoke out against systemic racism after several players released a video voicing their unity. The league placed the phrases "End Racism" and "It Takes All Of Us" on playing fields.
With the acceptance of the invitation to perform at the Super Bowl LV halftime show, The Weeknd is following in the footsteps of Jay Z, who began a partnership with the NFL last year to help the league's social justice work.