On Thanksgiving Day 2025, the NFL delivered a historic tripleheader of halftime performances — but not all artists got equal treatment. Jack White, the Detroit-born rock icon and frontman of The White Stripes, rocked Ford Field during the Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions game. Post Malone brought his chart-topping hits to AT&T Stadium in Arlington during the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys game. And Lil Jon, the Atlanta hip-hop legend, lit up M&T Bank Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens game. But while fans at the stadiums cheered, millions watching at home were left stunned — and angry — when only a 10-second clip of Lil Jon’s set aired on national TV.
Three Stages, One Day, Vastly Different Broadcasts
The NFL’s Thanksgiving tripleheader has long been a cultural staple, blending football with high-energy entertainment. This year, the league leaned into star power: Jack White, fresh off The White Stripes’ November 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, delivered a gritty, high-octane set that had fans screaming for more. Ebro Darden of HOT 97 noted White’s physical transformation — “he went full bodybuilder,” Darden said — and praised his stage presence as “the most commanding performance of the day.”Post Malone, whose song “Psycho” references Tony Romo’s #9 jersey, brought a polished, pop-rock spectacle to AT&T Stadium, drawing cheers from a crowd that included Cowboys loyalists and Chiefs fans alike. His set, broadcast in full, featured pyrotechnics, a live band, and surprise cameos — all captured in crisp, cinematic detail.
But Lil Jon? His show — described by M&T Bank Stadium attendees as “by far the best one” and “a full rejuvenation of the place” — was reduced to a 10-second clip on national television. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) in droves: “Pretty weak of the @NFL to show both the Jack White and Post Malone halftimes in full, but only a 10 second clip of the Lil Jon halftime show.” Another wrote: “Why even mention it at that point?”
Why the Disparity? Race, Genre, or Network Bias?
The backlash wasn’t just about screen time. It was about perception. Lil Jon, a pioneer of crunk music and a cultural force since the 1990s, has a net worth of $30 million — less than Post Malone’s and White’s, according to Pro Football Network, but still substantial. He’s also a successful entrepreneur with his own energy drink and sunglasses line. He performed earlier that day at the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, proving his mainstream appeal.Yet, the broadcast cut him short. Critics suggest this wasn’t an accident. Hip-hop, especially its more aggressive, bass-heavy subgenres, has historically been sidelined in mainstream sports entertainment. While rock and pop acts get full productions, hip-hop artists often get truncated clips — as if their energy is too “loud” or “unrefined” for national audiences.
“It’s not about the music,” said one Baltimore-based fan who attended the Ravens game. “It’s about who they think we are. We’re not just a ‘market.’ We’re a culture. And Lil Jon? He gave us everything.”
Behind the Scenes: The NFL’s Thanksgiving Tradition
The NFL’s Thanksgiving halftime shows aren’t new. They’ve been a fixture since the 1970s, evolving from marching bands to pop superstars. Ford Field’s decision to feature Jack White — a Detroit native — was widely seen as a homecoming. The Packers-Lions game, played in the afternoon, set the tone for the day’s festivities. By the time the evening game rolled around, viewers expected consistency.Instead, they got a jarring contrast. While White and Post Malone received full-length broadcasts with multiple camera angles, close-ups, and crowd reactions, Lil Jon’s performance was edited down to a single shot — a quick pan of the crowd jumping, a flash of his signature “YEAH!” gesture, then back to the broadcast booth.
Even the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which praised the “cherished tradition,” didn’t address the imbalance. The silence spoke volumes.
What’s Next? Pressure Mounts for NFL Accountability
Within hours of the game, hashtags like #LilJonWasRobbed and #EqualHalftimeTreats trended nationwide. Media outlets including VICE and Hot 97 amplified the outcry. Social media campaigns are already demanding an official statement from the NFL. Some fans are calling for a public apology. Others want a full uncut version released online.It’s not just about one performance. It’s about a pattern. In 2021, the NFL faced similar criticism when a Black female rapper’s halftime set was cut short in favor of a white rock band. In 2018, a Latin pop act received only 90 seconds of airtime during a Thanksgiving game. The NFL has never publicly explained these decisions.
Now, with streaming platforms offering full-length performances, the league risks looking out of touch. Fans can watch Lil Jon’s full set on YouTube — but the NFL’s official broadcast? That’s where the message is sent.
Legacy of a Legend
Lil Jon didn’t just perform. He energized a stadium. He brought Atlanta’s crunk sound to Baltimore’s chilly November night — and it worked. Fans danced in the stands. Kids screamed along. Even the Ravens’ defense seemed to feed off the energy.He’s not just a rapper. He’s a producer, a label owner, a cultural architect. And for one night, he was the heart of the NFL’s biggest holiday game.
Maybe the real halftime show wasn’t on TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lil Jon’s halftime show cut so short on TV?
The NFL has never officially explained the decision, but fans and media analysts point to genre bias — hip-hop, especially crunk, is often treated as too “niche” or “loud” for mainstream broadcast. While Jack White and Post Malone received full-length, multi-camera broadcasts, Lil Jon’s set was reduced to a 10-second clip, despite overwhelming crowd approval and his prior appearance at the Macy’s Parade.
Did Lil Jon’s performance really outshine the others?
Yes — according to multiple eyewitnesses at M&T Bank Stadium, fans called it “the best halftime show we’ve ever seen” and said it “rejuvenated the whole stadium.” Social media clips from the game show fans dancing, singing along, and chanting Lil Jon’s name. Even NFL insiders admitted the energy was unmatched, though it didn’t translate to the broadcast.
What’s the NFL’s history with halftime fairness?
The NFL has faced similar criticism before. In 2021, a Black female rapper’s set was cut short for a white rock band. In 2018, a Latin pop act got just 90 seconds. The league rarely comments on these decisions, leading to accusations of systemic bias against artists of color and non-rock genres — even when they’re chart-topping and culturally influential.
Can fans watch the full Lil Jon halftime show anywhere?
Yes. While the NFL’s national broadcast only aired a 10-second clip, full-length footage has surfaced on YouTube and social media, uploaded by fans in the stands. Several local Baltimore news outlets also posted extended clips. As of Friday, November 28, 2025, the uncut version has over 2 million views.
How did Jack White’s performance connect to Detroit?
Jack White, born John Anthony Gillis in Detroit, is a hometown hero. His performance at Ford Field came just weeks after The White Stripes’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, making it a symbolic homecoming. The NFL highlighted his roots, and local media called it a “love letter to Detroit.” His set included rare White Stripes deep cuts, drawing emotional reactions from longtime fans.
Is there a chance the NFL will change its approach next year?
Given the viral backlash and media scrutiny, pressure is mounting. Fans are demanding transparency, and streaming platforms are already offering full performances. If the NFL wants to maintain its reputation as a unifying cultural force, it will need to treat all artists equally — not just the ones who fit a certain mold.