While the NBA All-Star performance is highly anticipated, it doesn’t quite compare to the Super Bowl halftime show, which has consistently set viewership records over the years. The 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, featuring Kendrick Lamar, attracted an audience of over 133 million viewers, making it the most-watched halftime show in history. Major sporting events like this not only capture the attention of fans but also draw interest from the entertainment industry and platforms such as Moonwin Casino, which closely follow the cultural impact of these broadcasts.”
The NBA All-Star Game has a strong tradition of featuring prominent musical performances. Over the years, artists across various genres have graced the All-Star stage, contributing to the game’s festive atmosphere and cultural significance.
Most recently, the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco showcased Bay Area talents such as E-40, Too $hort, Saweetie, and En Vogue, who reunited with original member Maxine Jones for an electrifying halftime show. This emphasis on local artists not only celebrates the host city’s culture but aims to engage fans. Here’s a list of some of the performers from the last 25 NBA All-Star Games:
| Year | Performers | Location |
| 2025 | En Vogue, E-40, Too $hort, Saweetie and Raphael Saadiq | San Francisco |
| 2024 | Jennifer Hudson, Babyface, Coco Jones, Keith Urban, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Walker Hayes and Zedd | Indianapolis |
| 2023 | Burna Boy, Jewel, Post Malone, Rema, Tems | Salt Lake City |
| 2022 | Earth, Wind & Fire, DJ Khaled, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Gunna, Migos, Machine Gun Kelly, and Lil Baby | Cleveland |
| 2021 | Gladys Knight, Alessia Cara and HBCU musical groups | Atlanta |
| 2020 | Chance The Rapper, DJ Khaled, Quavo, Chaka Khan and Lil Wayne | Chicago |
| 2019 | J. Cole and Meek Mill, Carly Rae Jepsen | Charlotte |
| 2018 | Pharrell Williams, Migos, N.E.R.D and Fergie | Los Angeles |
| 2017 | The Roots, DNCE, John Legend, Jon Batiste and Nikki Yanofsky | New Orleans |
| 2016 | Sting, Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo | Toronto |
| 2015 | Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, Nas | New York City |
| 2014 | Sean Combs, Pharrell Williams, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Snoop Dogg | New Orleans |
| 2013 | Alicia Keys, Ke$ha, Ne-Yo, Ludacris, B.o.B | Houston |
| 2012 | Nicki Minaj, Pitbull, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo | Orlando |
| 2011 | Rihanna & Kanye West, Drake, Lenny Kravitz | Los Angeles |
| 2010 | Usher, Shakira, Alicia Keys | Arlington, Texas |
| 2009 | Juanes & John Legend | Phoenix |
| 2008 | Harry Connick, Jr. & Ellis Marsalis, Ian & Art Neville, Davell Crawford & Dr. John, Allen Toussaint | New Orleans |
| 2007 | Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, Wayne Newton | Las Vegas |
| 2006 | Carrie Underwood, John Legend | Houston |
| 2005 | Destiny’s Child, LeAnn Rimes, Big & Rich & Cowboy Troy | Denver |
| 2004 | Beyoncé, Outkast, Michael MacDonald | Los Angeles |
| 2003 | Mariah Carey | Atlanta |
| 2002 | Elton John | Philadelphia |
| 2001 | Harry Connick, Jr. |
Washington, D.C
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One of the most-memorable NBA All-Star performances was Fergie’s universally-panned rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
While the NBA All-Star Game’s musical performances may not reach the record-breaking viewership of the Super Bowl halftime show, they remain an integral part of the midseason event’s entertainment and cultural significance. Over the years, the league has brought in a diverse lineup of artists, blending mainstream icons with local stars to celebrate the host city’s unique musical identity. From legendary acts like Elton John and Alicia Keys to hip-hop heavyweights such as J. Cole, Rihanna and Mariah Carey (in a Michael Jordan-jersey dress), the performances have helped make All-Star Weekend a must-watch spectacle beyond basketball and have produced some truly iconic performances over the decades.
As the NBA continues to evolve, its All-Star entertainment is likely to follow suit, adapting to new trends and audiences while maintaining its rich history of star-studded performances.
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