Top 5 most sought-after Super Bowl halftime show performers feat. Kendrick Lamar

The Super Bowl halftime show is locked in for this year, as Rihanna is set to grace the stage. She will follow Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre from last year. The singer has promised to bring her unique flavor to this year's Super Bowl performance. After initially turning down a chance to perform in the NFL a few years back, the league managed to get a marquee headliner for this year's performance.

We take a look at all the music artists who the NFL might want to get in the upcoming Super Bowl halftime shows.

Kendrick Lamar among the top future prospects for the Super Bowl halftime show

#1 - Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar has already been on a Super Bowl halftime show before. He was part of the medley in Super Bowl LVI last year, along with a host of other star names. However, he has never headlined the act as a solo performer.

Given his star status, he could certainly be one to look out for. He has previously taken part in the Annual NFL Honors and retains close ties to the league. If he were to return in the future, he would be formidable in the league.

#2 - Taylor Swift

The Super Bowl halftime show with the most viewers till date remains Katy Perry's 2015, when she drew 118.5 million viewers to watch her perform. If someone can come close to her superstardom, especially among the younger segment of viewers, it has to be Taylor Swift.

In fact, she was one of the top stars that the NFL sought out for this year's performance before they settled on Rihanna. However, she declined, given her desire to release the re-recordings of her catalog. The previous hiccup, where her deal with Coca-Cola conflicted with that of the halftime show sponsor Pepsi, has also been resolved. Apple has taken over sponsorship duties from Pepsi beginning this year. Maybe next year will be when she finally makes her mark at this stage.

#3 - Lizzo

Lizzo is another big name who has risen through the ranks to solidify herself as one of the top music artists in the world. Beyond her multiple hits like "About Damn Time" and “Truth Hurts," she also won an Emmy for "Best Competition Program," for her Amazon Prime series "Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls."

The NFL is always looking to bring the best singers on to the stage. Her ability to perform and her message of inclusion and body positivity will resonate in a league like the NFL. For a league that prides itself on its black representation among players and being a sport of all shapes and sizes, Lizzo might be the perfect performer for a future Super Bowl halftime show.

#4 - Drake

Drake recently placed a bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to lift the Lombardi Trophy over the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been intricately linked with the sports world, appearing in many basketball, soccer, and UFC games. The NFL will miss a chance if they do not rope him in the future.

He has a devoted following, and there is no one in the sporting world who does not know who he is. He features in the Top 40 regularly and is one of the most consistently top-ranked hip hop artists in the world.

#5 - Metallica

Beyond individual performers, if the NFL is looking to revert to a band, there should be no higher preference than Metallica. They were involved in the Super Bowl before but never for the halftime show.

In 2016, they performed the day before the game and in 2021, they were on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert right after the Super Bowl broadcast on the same network. They have done everything but appear in the main event and the league has a chance to set it right in the coming years.