The Kansas City Chiefs weren’t the only ones to fumble their Super Bowl LV performance. I’m calling a flag on the play over the decision makers who picked Abel Tesfaye A.K.A. “The Weeknd” as the halftime entertainer for the largest TV audience of the year.
After more than 1,300 complaints were filed from 48 states with the FCC after 2020’s salacious belly dancing, booty shaking, crotch thrusting-fest with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, you’d think the NFL would look for a more family-friendly option in 2021.
Nope. Not even close.
Granted, The Weeknd didn’t sport black leather dominatrix getups, or prance around stage cavorting with a stripper pole as did J.Lo. That’s a plus. But his lyrical content is far more perverted, morally bankrupt, and sexually graphic than J.Lo’s inappropriate display. Think I’m exaggerating?
Take your pick of The Weeknd’s lyrical exhibition of genital gymnastics. Consider “Often,” “Love in the Sky,” or “Gone.” Google the lyrics and get back to me. Then there’s “Or Nah” which I guess is The Weeknd’s idea of a love song. He sings:
Can you lick the tip then throat the dick or nah? Can you let me stretch that p—y out or nah? . . . P—y so good, I had to save that sh-t for later, Took her to the kitchen, f—ked her right there on the table . . . I’m tryna keep that p—y wet, I’m tryna f—k her and her friends.”
Frank Sinatra he’s not. Imagine the conversation at the NFL headquarters when this sexual pervert and predator was recommended to take center stage in the living rooms of more than 100 million households on Super Bowl Sunday.
NFL COMMISSIONER: Who we got for halftime?
STAFF: Definitely go with The Weeknd
NFL COMMISSIONER: Who? Never heard of that.
STAFF: Um, sir, The Weeknd is a he . . . he’s from Toronto Canada, and he’s B-I-G. His “In Your Eyes” video has almost 90 million views. He’s got 2.5 billion streams and has 8 Top 20 hits on the GLOBAL Top 200 list with 4 global No.1s. And The Weeknd’s won 3 Grammys.
NFL COMMISSIONER: I’m liking that. Gotta love the international aspect of a Canadian artist. Any downside?
STAFF: Well, let’s just say his lyrics can be a bit . . . risqué . . . but most parents don’t won’t know the first thing about him—and he’s promised to keep his clothes on so we don’t anticipate any “wardrobe malfunctions” or “Nipplegate” issues.
Indeed. The Weeknd kept his clothes on, so what’s the big deal? Consider this.
The price of a 30-second Super Bowl LV commercial was $5,600,000. The Weeknd performed for about 13 minutes which means the international exposure to promote his brand—comprised of smutty lyrics and violent videos—was valued at roughly $145,600,000, along with the implicit NFL Seal of Approval.
Aren’t there more worthy artists to pick for the coveted halftime slot? Why does the NFL insist on picking morally bankrupt performers? What might that say about them? And, why do American families allow such depravity to take center stage in their homes?
The person of faith has a higher bar to set regarding their entertainment choices. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4a says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust.”
Does The Weeknd pass that test? Not even close. The NFL has fumbled their entertainment pick. But your family still has a choice whose voice they’ll to listen to this week.