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Super Bowl LVI: Fans excited for deaf rapper Warren 'Wawa' Snipe's act at halftime show

Earren Snipe, who has been singing since 2005, coined the term 'Dip Hop' for Hip Hop through deaf eyes

Breaking barriers Warren “Wawa” Snipe and Sean Forbes are making history at Super Bowl LVI. The two deaf rappers will be taking the stage on Sunday night, Feb 13, during this year's halftime show. The two artists were added by the record producer to give moving American Sign Language renditions of the songs set to be performed.

Super Bowl LVI has the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals vying for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. This will be the first time where a team that hosted a championship game will also play the final game in their own stadium, making the Rams the road team. The much-awaited game can be caught live on NBC and can also be live-streamed on Peacock, NBC Sports App, and NBCSports.com. The Super Bowl will also air on NBC's sister network Telemundo. Over the seasons, NBC, CBS, and Fox have taken turns in showcasing the marquee event. CBS originally set to air the Super Bowl this year made a deal with NBC so that the latter could show the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics 2022.

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Warren Snipe is best known for founding the Wild Zappers, an all-male deaf dance community. The Washington DC native, who has been singing since 2005, coined the term 'Dip Hop' for Hip Hop through deaf eyes. In 2016, he released his sophomore album 'Deaf: So What?!' 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. 

Snipe recently took to Instagram to express his excitement at performing at the Super Bowl this year. "Well Beautiful People! Cat’s out the bag! Another humbling and historic event happening! Will be rocking with @seanforbes and @sandramaefrank at the Super Bowl! Thanks to @nfl and @nad1880 for another awesome opportunity!" the post reads. "For the first time in its history, the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar will include ASL artists. Famed Deaf musicians Warren “Wawa” Snipe and Sean Forbes will sign the Halftime Show. Super Bowl LVI will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 2022."

'So excited for him tonight!'

The Internet showered praises on Snipe as he is set to perform at the show. "During Super Bowl LV, be on the lookout for brother Warren L. “Wawa” Snipe (Mu-Iota, Gallaudet University, '94)! Brother Snipe will be performing the National Anthem in American Sign Language during the pregame of Super Bowl LV. What a great accomplishment Brother Snipe! " one user wrote wrote on Twitter. "Cannot wait for half time. Sean Forbes and Warren "Wawa" Snipe are there. kinda sad that they only showed the interpreter for the national anthem for 5 seconds though," another user wrote.

"Brother Warren 'WAWA' Snipe, Mu-Iota (Gallaudet University) '94, is back for Super Bowl LVI and he and deaf rapper Sean Forbes will be making history as the first deaf performers during a Super Bowl Halftime Show!" one user wrote, while another commented, "Warren “Wawa” Snipe delivered the BEST Star Spangler Banner I have every witnessed and I’m so excited for him tonight!" One user wrote, "Tomorrow’s Super-Bowl will bring great Football excitement, + a host of Half Time musical greats performing. Be on the lookout for Warren “Wawa” Snipe (far L). Last year, “Wawa” (a deaf actor) performed the SB National Anthem (in sign language). This year, the Halftime Show!"