50 Cent’s Upside-Down Super Bowl LVI Performance: The Story Behind the Show and the Controversy
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
On February 13, 2022, 50 Cent surprised millions with a visually striking performance at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, hanging upside down while delivering his iconic hit “In Da Club.” This moment not only electrified the crowd but helped cement the show’s place in history as a groundbreaking celebration of hip-hop. The Pepsi-sponsored event at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, featuring legends like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and surprise guests including Anderson .Paak, was the first halftime show to be centered entirely around hip-hop, earning widespread critical acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards.
A Performance to Remember
50 Cent’s entrance—suspended upside down—paid homage to his 2003 “In Da Club” music video and instantly became one of the night’s most memorable visuals. Following the energetic opening by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, 50 Cent’s stunt added a dazzling spectacle to the mix, backed by glittering dancers and a seamless transition into Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair.” The show, broadcast nationally on NBC, was lauded as a “millennial nostalgia bonanza,” melding early 2000s classics with contemporary hip-hop flair.
Critics and fans alike praised the halftime show as possibly the best ever, emphasizing its cultural significance and star-studded lineup. The event’s excellence was recognized at the Primetime Emmy Awards, where it won Outstanding Variety Special (Live), alongside honors for Production Design and Music Direction—making it the first halftime show to achieve such recognition.
Behind the Scenes: Conflict and Compromise
However, the road to 50 Cent’s inclusion wasn’t smooth. In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 50 Cent revealed that Roc Nation, the production company led by Jay-Z overseeing the show, initially tried to exclude him. “They wanted to leave me out of it. They didn’t want me there,” he stated bluntly.
The turning point came through Eminem, a key performer at the show and longtime collaborator of 50 Cent. According to 50 Cent, Eminem made his participation contingent on 50 Cent’s inclusion. “Eminem wouldn’t do it without me. That’s how I ended up on the show because he was not coming if I didn’t do it,” he explained. This intervention forced Roc Nation to bring him on board, highlighting the complex negotiations behind high-profile entertainment productions.
Reflections on the Performance
Though celebrated for his stunt, 50 Cent later called his upside-down performance “a mistake” in a 2023 interview with USA Today. He acknowledged the physical challenge he endured compared to other artists who performed standing, noting, “We all got the same Emmy, but I’m like, I had to hang upside down,” reflecting on the personal cost of the dramatic effect.
Legacy of a Historic Show
The Super Bowl LVI halftime show marked a cultural milestone, bringing hip-hop’s artistry and influence to one of the world’s largest stages in a way never done before. 50 Cent’s unexpected, gravity-defying cameo remains one of the standout moments, symbolizing both his resilience and his lasting impact on the genre.
In the end, the show’s success was as much about behind-the-scenes dynamics as on-stage brilliance—where friendships, loyalties, and industry power plays shaped the lineup. Thanks to Eminem’s support, 50 Cent’s iconic upside-down entrance secured its place in halftime history, reminding fans that sometimes it takes a little push from allies to make a legendary performance happen.
