7 of the most epic Super Bowl Halftime Show performances of the 21st century

Get ready for some "Blinding Lights" this weekend because Canadian superstar The Weeknd is taking over one of the biggest stages in the world at the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 (airing on CTV).

While 2020 wasn't any of our years (read: the pandemic), The Weeknd is already giving us something to look forward to this year because he revealed that he spent an extra $7 million dollars on his upcoming performance. "We all grow up watching the world's biggest acts playing the Super Bowl and one can only dream of being in that position. I'm humbled, honoured and ecstatic to be the centre of that infamous stage this year," The Weeknd previously said.

The Weeknd will be the first Canadian performer to hit the Super Bowl stage since Shania Twain's performance in 2003. We're hope that his $7 million investment helps deliver an event that we can't stop talking about, just like some of the past Super Bowl Halftime Shows. 

Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable performances ahead of The Weeknd's concert... whoops, we mean his Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show .

J.Lo and Shakira in 2020

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira took the stage for an exciting Super Bowl 2020 halftime show that paid homage to Latino culture last year. Shakira began the show with a medley of her hits starting with “She Wolf,” “Empire,” and “Whenever Wherever.” Bad Bunny joined Shakira on stage to perform his hit song with Cardi B and J Balvin, “I Like It,” and her song with Maluma “Chantaje.” Shakira jumped into the crowd and surfed while singing her iconic song “Hips Don’t Lie” ahead of Lopez taking the stage. Lopez descended from above the stage like an angel and began with a montage of “Jenny From the Block,” “Ain’t That Funny” and “Get Right.” She hit the stripper pole while singing “Waiting for Tonight” and J Balvin joined her for “Qué Calor” and a mash-up of “Mi Gentle,” “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” and “On The Floor.”

The viral moment from last year’s performance came from Shakira, who stuck out her tongue and let out a high-pitched cry. The internet exploded with reactions before many pointed out that the action was a nod to her Colombian and Lebanese heritage.

Beyoncé in 2013

Beyoncé, Beyoncé, Beyoncé! How do we thank our queen for giving us a Destiny’s Child reunion during her halftime show performance? Bey’s performance began by her silhouette being engulfed in flames, and she emerged from a cloud of smoke. She came out singing “Love on Top,” giving us all chills right off the top before diving into “Crazy In Love.” When Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams joined her from under the stage, we were blessed with a performance of “Bootylicious,” “Independent Women,” and “Single Ladies.”

Madonna, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A and CeeLo Green in 2012

Madonna took the Super Bowl stage as a Greek goddess in 2012, backed by Spartan soldiers. Madge entered the field on a golden throne and sang one of her most popular hits, “Vogue.” LMFAO joined her for a mash-up of “Party Rock Anthem,” “Sexy and I Know It” and her 2000 hit “Music.” Ahh, remember the days of LMFAO? M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj joined Madonna for her single “Give Me All Your Luvin,” and people at home were shocked when M.I.A. flipped the bird. What would a halftime show be without a little bit of controversy? Madonna closed out her performance with “Like a Prayer,” joined by CeeLo Green and a huge choir.

Prince in 2007

Prince rocked the stage when he hit the Super Bowl field in 2007. He brought out his weirdly-shaped purple guitar on a stage shaped in the “Artist Formerly Known As Prince” symbol and unleashed hit after hit. He opened with Queen’s “We Will Rock You” before switching to “Let’s Go Crazy.” The Florida A&M University marching band joined Prince for an arrangement of “Baby I’m a Star,” and he also performed covers of “Proud Mary” and “All Along the Watchtower” before ending his performance with a guitar solo from “Purple Rain,” while standing in the pouring rain. It has been hard to top this iconic Prince performance.

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake in 2004

This performance can be remembered by one word and one word only: nipplegate. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake put a new spin on “wardrobe malfunction” after Justin “accidentally” exposed Janet’s nipple while ripping off part of her costume. People were enraged by the action, and many questioned if it was an attempt at getting more ratings and buzz. Even though this took up all of five seconds of the performance, it was all anyone could talk about. Janet came out singing “All For You,” while Diddy took the stage after to perform a snippet of “Bad Boy for Life.” Nelly drove across the field in a red car before performing “Hot In Here,” and Kid Rock took the stage wearing an American Flag turned into a shirt.

But alas, the only thing we remember is the ultimate wardrobe malfunction during Justin and Janet’s performance of “Rock Your Body.” He literally sang, “I’m gonna have you naked by the end of this song,” as the wardrobe malfunction happened. Was it an accident? Was it planned? We will never know.

Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting (2003)

We have to shine some light on Canadian country star Shania Twain’s Super Bowl performance. Before The Weeknd, she was the only Canadian to have performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show (coincidentally, it was the same year fellow Canadian Céline Dion sang "God Bless America" to kick off the game). Shania sang two songs, "Man I Feel Like a Woman!" and "Up!" before No Doubt performed "I'm Just a Girl" and Sting played "Message in a Bottle.” Shania wowed the crowd in a floor-length leather coat, crystal bra and thigh-high boots. We stan our Canadian queen.

Aerosmith, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly in 2001

Who could forget NSYNC running towards the Super Bowl stage and starting things off with a little, “Bye, Bye, Bye,” giving us all the boy band vibes? Steven Tyler appeared directly after to sing “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and tug at all of our heartstrings. The camera panned back to NSYNC for “It’s Gonna Be Me,” and Justin Timberlake shot fireworks out of his fingertips. Surprise guests Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly all came out for a group effort of “Walk This Way.”

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SUPER BOWL LV will air live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Feb. 7 on CTV.

BEFORE YOU GO: The Weeknd spends $7 million of his own money on Super Bowl performance

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