Snoop Dogg delivered on his promise to serve “holiday magic Santa can’t fit in a bag” with his halftime show performance during Netflix’s NFL Christmas Game Day.
The rapper, whose “Holiday Halftime Party” streamed live on Thursday during the the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings game in Minneapolis, featured a mix of his classics, as well as Christmas favorites.
The segment began with Snoop Dogg’s longtime pal Martha Stewart reading a special Christmas story that introduced the performance.
“I sprung from my bed, and said, ‘what is cracking?’ Hailing from the one and only LBC, give it up for Snoop D.O. double G,” Stewart read from a book.
Viewers then saw an image of a dog that morphed into Snoop Dogg, who was standing on the football field. He was joined by a marching band, back-up singers and a choir, all wearing festive white and red attire.
“Minnesota knows how to party,” the choir sang alongside Snoop, who sported a long red coat and pants.
“It’s Christmas and we’re about to do some of my favorite Christmas songs,” the artist said.
Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the singers behind HUNTR/X from Netflix’s popular animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” joined the rapper on stage wearing all white to sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Country artist Lainey Wilson, who entered the football field in a lit-up sleigh, performed “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as Snoop Dogg danced next to her.
The show closed out with a performance from Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo, who made a surprise appearance to perform a cover of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”
The duo stood alongside Snoop, Wilson and HUNTR/X on a podium as fake snow fell from the sky.
“From my family to your family, Merry Christmas,” Snoop Dogg said.
Earlier on Christmas, Kelly Clarkson kicked off Game Day with a pre-recorded performance of her holiday hit, “Underneath the Tree.”
The number, which played before the Dallas Cowboys versus Washington Commanders game, featured the Emmy and Grammy Award–winning star descending from the sky in a sleigh in a white bedazzled dress.
Clarkson, joined by a band and back-up vocalists, sang the number in front of a super-sized Christmas tree on a snow-covered football field.
Fans were seen in the crowd cheering Clarkson on, as actual cheerleaders from the four playing teams danced along to her famous powerhouse vocals.
NFL players from the four teams also appeared throughout the song, including Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who showed off their football maneuvers in front of large wrapped presents.
Netflix has recently ramped up its live programming offerings, with last year marking the first time the streaming giant hosted the NFL’s two marquee Christmas Day games. Beyoncé headlined the halftime show during the latter game, performing tracks from her “Cowboy Carter” country album. The games racked up 65 million combined viewers, setting streaming records.
This year’s NFL games streamed just hours before Netflix is set to drop the first batch of final episodes of its hit TV series “Stranger Things.”
Saba Hamedy
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