Why did Eminem take the knee during the Super Bowl half-time show?
EMINEM defied NFL rules after he knelt during his performance at the Super Bowl 2022 half time show.
The rapper, 49, took the knee after he finished a rendition of his song Lose Yourself alongside Dr Dre.
Why did Eminem take the knee during the Super bowl half-time show?
The rapper maintained the position for approximately 50 seconds before Snoop Dogg's set began.
However, it’s unclear whether the gesture - which has become a symbol of protest against racism and discrimination - was a planned part of the show or a spontaneous decision.
Previously, the rapper has openly used his music platform to confront racial justice, despite allegations that some of his content was unsound.
In 2020, Eminem teamed up with Kid Cudi on his track 'The Adventures of Moon Man & Slim Shady,' which provided commentary on social injustice.
The four-and-a-half-minute song specifically made reference to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, whose killings have spurred worldwide protests against racism and police brutality.
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Did the NFL tell Eminem not to take the knee?
After the live half-time show, reports emerged that the NFL and organisers of the event had previously asked the rapper to avoid making the gesture.
It came amid further reports that Eminem and his fellow headliners had been heavily censored from making any political statements.
According to the , Dr Dre felt “disgustingly censored” by executives who didn’t want the performance to become a “divisive culture war moment”.
The NFL also reportedly expressed its discomfort over lyrics in “Still Dre” that mentioned “not loving police”.
However a spokesman for the NFL late denied the accusations – describing the reports as “erroneous”.
Brian McCarthy told : “We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that.”
Who performed during the Super Bowl half-time show?
Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige were among the performers on stage at the Super Bowl half-time show on February 13, 2022.
The annual showpiece event also featured a surprise appearance of 50 Cent whose performance was shot upside down.
Prior the event, California native Dr Dre described how the experience was a once in a lifetime event.
The 56-year-old said: “This will introduce the next saga of my career.
"The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl LVI half-time show, and to do it in my own back yard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career."
In 2021, The Weeknd performed during the half-time show.