February 5, 2012 - 9:52pm
Madonna proved she still has what it takes with a spectacular halftime show
BY KAYLA UPADHYAYA
- Interscope
Her Madge-esty is back, but let’s be real, did she ever really go anywhere? Singer-songwriter and cultural icon Madonna has been pumping out ultra-successful pop albums for over two decades, and even though her most recent album dropped back in 2008, she has hardly fizzled into obscurity. This year, Madonna continues to reiterate her legend status: She won a Golden Globe, released a new single, has a new album coming out next month and, just tonight, managed to put on one of the best Super Bowl halftime performances I’ve ever seen.
Madonna entered in a striking gold getup, surrounded by dancers dressed as Trojan warriors and in just over ten minutes delivered an exhilarating, unforgettable performance before literally vanishing in a smoky cloud.
She opened with the classic “Vogue” before moving into “Music,” which featured electronic-pop group LMFAO, whose upbeat party music is like an updated version of the dance tunes Madonna epitomized early on in her career.
Her backup dancers weren’t the only ones showing off their athleticism — Madonna busted out some impressively complicated dance moves during “Music,” discrediting many of the age jokes that have been floating around on the Internet ever since it was announced that she was headlining the halftime show. Yes, she’s 53. Your point? If she can still rock skintight clothing and work a stage, why stop her just because she’s “past her prime” according to absurd Hollywood standards? She may be aging, but her music and talent is ageless.
After “Music,” Nicki Minaj and M.I.A appeared, which may have been a surprise to anyone unfamiliar with Madonna’s newest single “Give Me All Your Luvin’ ” — Minaj and M.I.A have guest spots in the song and appear in the football-themed music video. They have distinctly different styles from Madonna, but Minaj and M.I.A are innovative, skilled artists who bring their own signature sounds to their respective genres, not unlike Madonna in the ’80s.
Madonna couldn’t have picked a better song to close with than her timeless “Like a Prayer.” Backed by Cee Lo Green and a full gospel choir, the pop queen took one of her most recognizable songs and made it fresh and exciting.
Whether you’re a Madge Maniac, a casual admirer or not a fan at all, you have to admit this halftime show went above and beyond the norm. It wasn’t just filler or a simple break from the game — Madonna mixed nostalgia with flashy, in-vogue production in this exceptional halftime performance, making it clear that this megastar isn’t fading any time soon. Let the countdown to the release of MDNA begin.
