Super Bowl LVI: Pepsi Halftime Show Gets a Preview

Five-star rap super show bets it all on the bass

Hook up your subwoofers: this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show is going to showcase the low end of the frequency spectrum like never before. Halftime sponsor Pepsi has released a cinema-type trailer, directed by F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton, Friday, The Fate of the Furious), introducing those who need no introduction: rap’s own furious five, who will headline the event on Sunday Feb. 13.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3NhX6-5mO0

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar appear in “The Call,” a trailer for what Pepsi declares “could be the greatest 12 minutes in music entertainment the world has ever seen.”

“The Call” unfolds like a high-energy blockbuster film, inspired by almost two decades’ worth of collective iconic music videos and tracks. The quick-cut trailer introduces each artist in a caper-flick–opening–style sequence, spotlighting their individual artistic journeys and influences and underscored by a characteristic beat. Each artist then gets the call from leader Dr. Dre to converge on SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, for what will become the greatest Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show ever.

“The Call” is scored by Emmy-nominated music director and Grammy-winning composer Adam Blackstone, who compiled the iconic tracks “Rap God,” “The Next Episode,” “Family Affair,” “HUMBLE.,” “Still D.R.E.,” and “California Love.”

“Each time I collaborate with Dre,” says Gray, “it seems to mark an important moment in entertainment history — from projects like Friday, Set It Off, Straight Outta Compton to now the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. As a super fan, I consider it an honor and privilege to authentically build and create this moment with five of the most legendary artists in music history. It has been a blast!”

The creation of “The Call” marks a first for Pepsi as the brand evolves “the most exciting 12 minutes” in music into a multi-platform, weeks-long campaign. Debuting on YouTube and on the new Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show App, 30-second spots of “The Call” will air nationally throughout the NFL Divisional and Conference playoffs and in the lead-up to Super Bowl LVI, setting the stage for the iconic show.

Super Bowl LVI marks the Pepsi brand’s 11th year as title sponsor of the Halftime Show and 20th year as an NFL Partner. Past halftime performances include Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Prince, Madonna, and The Weeknd.