Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Before Beyoncé brought the house down during last night’s Super Bowl half-time show, a few other big name entertainers were burning up the stages of New Orleans for a few pre-Super Bowl festivities.
First up, Justin Timberlake made a triumphant return to the stage on Saturday night for the DirecTV Super Bowl-eve bash. Sporting a tuxedo, Timberlake sang and dance during his hour-long set that included a 10-piece band and special guest appearances by new BFF Jay-Z and new Roc Nation signee Timbaland.
It been more than five years, since the former lead singer of N-Sync has performed on stage and Timberlake didn’t disappoint. He ran through a medley of his biggest hits including “Senorita,” “Cry Me A River,” “Summer Love” and “My Love” which included a verse from Jay-Z and Kanye’s “N—-s in Paris.” He also performed a cover of INXS “What You Need” and his own version of the classic Jackson Five disco hit, “Shake Your Body Down to the Ground.”
Spotted in the audience of his performance were Sir Paul McCartney, Sofia Vergara, and John Legend. Timberlake ended his set with his latest single, “Suit & Tie” featuring Jay-Z and the club banger “Sexy Back.”
Jay-Z and Timberlake performing “Suit & Tie”
Atlanta’s own CeeLo Green and the Goodie Mob crew reunited for ESPN Magazine’s Next Party. The group performed their classic hits before another star-studded crowd that included Kelly Rowland and Anthony Mackie. Green, the group’s break-out-star, has been gearing up for his one-man-show, Loberace. He was recently replaced by Usher on the reality competition The Voice and released a Christmas album featuring a duet with Voice judge Christina Aguilera.
Look for Goodie Mob to keep the party going when they release a new album later on this year.
Lastly, Motown legend Stevie Wonder proved that he’s still got what it takes during his outdoor pre-Super Bowl concert featuring guitarist Gary Clark Jr.
Accompanied by his daughter and background singer Aisha Morris, Wonder took the packed audience down memory lane performing classic hits such as “How Sweet It Is (To Be Love By You),” Master Blaster, Higher Ground and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.”
Stevie Wonder on stage with award-winning vocalist Janelle Monae
Wonder was also featured in two Super Bowl commercials for Bud Light. The 60-something year old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer played a New Orleans mojo man along with sexy actress Zoe Saldana. Both commercials featured his hit tune “Superstition.”
Check them out below:
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