Sean Forbes and Warren Snipe: Deaf rappers to make history at Super Bowl LVI show
With the Super Bowl LVI just days away, we've got some exciting news to share. The halftime show at the SoFi Stadium will make history on February 13, when two deaf rappers will perform in ASL. Dr. Dre will be joined by Sean Forbes and Warren Snipe when he performs at the show, making them the first sign language interpreters to appear in the show's 55-year history.
The clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals is already making waves after 'Mattress Mack' placed a historic $4.5 million bet on the Bengals. In January, Tom Brady surprised a 10-year-old cancer survivor with tickets to the match, weeks before calling time on his career. There are also growing rumors Marvel could debut the second trailer of 'Doctor Strange into the Multiverse of Madness' at the event, so it seems like it is going to be a real major festival.
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Over the decades, the halftime show has become a key part of the Super Bowl. But over 55 years, not one single ALS performance has taken place, something that will change in 2022 thanks to Dr. Dre. And according to reports, Forbes and Snipe's performance will only be the beginning of ASL's presence at the event.
Who are Sean Forbes and Warren Snipe?
A Detroit native, Forbes was born in a musical household, but tragically lost his hearing after a bout with spinal meningitis as an infant. He estimates he's about 90% deaf, but that didn't stop him from pursuing the family passion. In grade school, he began playing the drums and guitar and even formed a band with his siblings. Forbes decided to pursue a management degree from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf but retained his passion and love for music.
Forbes' big break came after he performed Eminem's 'Lose Yourself' in ASL, which he performed in front of the legendary rapper himself and studio owner Joel Martin. Not only did the moment lead to Forbes securing a job at the studio, but also the founding of the Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN). In 2012, he released his first full-length album and went on to tour the world.
Also known as 'WaWa', Snipe is best known for founding the Wild Zappers, an all-male deaf dance community. The Washington DC native has been singing since 2005 and even coined the term 'Dip Hop' for Hip Hop through deaf eyes. In 2016, he released his sophomore album 'Deaf: So What?!', and has only gained more fame since. He made waves for interpreting 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in ASL before the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers face-off in Super Bowl LV.
Diversity at Super Bowl LVI
The two rappers will be joined on stage by not just Dr. Dre, but also Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar when they perform at the Super Bowl LVI. The two will perform sign language interpretations of the headliners' music, the first time ASL will be incorporated directly into the halftime show. "The doors to accessibility are busted wide open with something like this," Forbes told The Detroit Free Press.
Forbes and Snipe won't be the only two ASL performers though. After Snipe's interpretation of the national anthem in 2021, the NFL has roped in actress Sandra Mae Frank to do the same this year. Frank will also perform 'America the Beautiful' on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf. It's just a small part of the NFL's wider push to be more inclusive and diverse. The halftime show will also see Black country artist Mickey Guyton perform the national anthem, and a performance of 'America the Beautiful' by R&B singer Jhene Aiko, whose heritage is a mix of Dominican and Creole.
The halftime show will also see the first-of-its-kind flyover by the United States Air Force, to mark the force's 75th anniversary. Reports say the 'Heritage Flight' will feature a P-51 Mustang, A-10C Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and an F-35A Lightning II.