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A couple of months ago, the world was shocked and dismayed to learn the NFL had decided to invite Maroon 5 to perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl LIV instead of literally any other musical act in the world.
There is a time and a place for Maroon 5, with the time being 2003 and the place being a high school gymnasium on prom night while this song plays over the speakers.
Unfortunately, no one told that to the powers that be.
The decision pissed off hip-hop fans who thought the league should have picked someone from the Atlanta music scene to pay tribute to the host city as well as virtually everyone else who has eardrums.
The worst part? We almost avoided this disastrous fate.
Last month, it was revealed Rihanna had turned down an invitation to perform at the Super Bowl and cited the NFL’s handling of the Colin Kaepernick situation and the protests he inspired as why she declined— a year after Jay Z opted out for the same reason.
Good for them. Bad for everyone else.
However, thanks to a new movement, there’s a chance we might be able to avoid the terrible fate that awaits us this February.
According to Complex, over 40,000 people have signed a petition asking Maroon 5 to back out of their agreement in solidarity with Kaepernick, which partially reads:
Maroon 5 has made music over the years featuring artists from all genres, including Rihanna, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar — all of whom have publicly supported Kaepernick in his decision to protest the violent racism sweeping the United States. Maroon 5 must do the same.
The band has a chance to stand on the right side of history. If they don’t, they will be remembered for choosing to side with the NFL over its players.
Politics aside, I think we all need to get behind this.