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Super Bowl Halftime Performers ‘Didn’t Get Paid’ For Show

Super Bowl performers reportedly 'didn't get paid' for the NFL championship halftime. 
Credit: @50cent/@maryjblige/Instagram

Super Bowl performers reportedly ‘didn’t get paid’ for the NFL championship halftime show.

According to Esquire, Mary J Blige, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent were all given huge ‘publicity’ and ‘a boost in album sales’ in return for the high-profile event. 

As well as this, many artists see it as a ‘badge of honour’ to have played at the Super Bowl.

Watch the Super Bowl half-time performance below… 

Although the NFL didn’t cough up for the musicians’ performance, they reportedly helped financially when it came to the ‘essential costs’ of production – which Dr. Dre apparently contributed towards too.

The hip-hop legend revealed he would be performing at the Super Bowl in an annoucement from his backyard.

In a statement shared by NFL, he said: “The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career.

“I’m grateful to Jay-Z, Roc Nation, the NFL, and Pepsi as well as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar for joining me in what will be an unforgettable cultural moment.”

Snoop Dogg Caught ‘Breaking NFL’s Super Bowl Request’ During Halftime Show

During his performance, Dr. Dre paid tribute to the late rapper Tupac, who died in 1996.

When he sat down at the piano on stage, the 56-year-old played the first few bars of the rappers song ‘I Ain’t Mad At Cha’.

Fans took to Twitter after spotting the moment and claimed it was the ‘highlight’ of the show.

One tweeted: “Subtle nod to Tupac Shakur during [the] halftime show, Dr. Dre briefly playing ‘I Ain’t Mad At Cha’ on piano. One highlight to an incredible performance.”

Another added: “When Dr. Dre played ‘I Ain’t Mad At Cha’ on the piano I teared up. Long live Tupac Shakur.”

Watch our Video of the Day below… 

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Written by Aimee Walker

Aimee is a senior content editor at IGV who specialises in finding the best original stories, trending topics and entertainment news. She graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in Media and Communications.