The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for a battle against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday in Arizona. The game is considered the main event of the evening, while there are many others eagerly anticipating the stage return of musical superstar Rihanna.
After years away from the music spotlight handling lucrative business ventures, and becoming a first-time mother, the Barbadian singer is the Super Bowl LVII halftime show performer. Whether it is music, fashion, or acting, she stands out in a unique way that cannot be limited, making her the ideal choice for Apple Music’s first halftime show as the new sponsor.
Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with music veteran, LowKey, co-host of Apple Music’s Rap Life Review, to get his thoughts on Rihanna’s return to the stage and cultural influence.
“For someone of her stature to touch that stage and still be an impact and influence, a polarizing figure, not just an R&B, but just music and a fashion icon,” he said. “That type of thing is, it’s beautiful to have her on that stage. And now we’re all wondering, like, is there a tour? Or is there an album? We’re all at the edge of our seats. And, you know, it helps that, Apple Music is that official sponsor, but what a way to introduce a partnership, what a way to introduce your return to music, what a way to introduce, maybe a tour, if it’s any platform, it’s either the Grammys or this. So, she’s doing it, right.”
In a landmark Super Bowl where for the first time in history, both starting quarterbacks are black (Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts), Rihanna fits the tone of influencing change as a powerful black woman in entertainment.
“She runs her own empire like this is what you aspire to be, as a young black woman coming up in the game,” said LowKey. “She’s been able to do it her own way, in her own timing, you know, within her own boundaries.”
The NFL began a partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 following boycotts from many top artists in the wake of the Colin Kaepernick protest controversy. Rihanna was one of the artists that stayed away from the league during that time, making her appearance this year even more noteworthy.
“I think it helps that HOV (Jay-Z) is within that structure,” LowKey explained. “You know the phrase is, ‘Always better late than never.’ You saw what they did last year with the Super Bowl, you know, (Dr.) Dre, Snoop (Dogg), Kendrick (Lamar), and Mary (J. Blige). There’s a bigger conversation in regard to the NFL listening. The NFL paying attention. This is just outside of entertainment. This is a good step in getting our culture board more involved, even though we don’t need it. But you know, it helps. But I do think there’s a bigger conversation on how the NFL treats its players, treats their voices, what their experiences are, and what they go through. So I do believe that there’s a bigger conversation, but I’m glad to see a black woman during Black History Month on that stage.”
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has said in many interviews that he’s excited about Rihanna’s performance even though he won’t be able to watch it. He did note that many of his family members are arguably more excited about seeing her at halftime than him in the game.
You can listen to our full interview with LowKey on the latest episode of The Chiefs Wire Podcast.
