Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Greetings
If you’re lost on who these performers are, we’ve got you covered.
The NFL has lined up special musical acts for its Thanksgiving football slate to bombard our tryptophan-addled brains, while also ensuring your drunk uncle screams about the state of music in his threadbare Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt.
It’s an all-star cast of the league appealing to every generation, meaning there are definitely going to be confused people at both ends of the spectrum. Let’s clear up some of that confusion today by explaining the musical acts we’ll see on Thanksgiving.
Packers vs. Lions, 12:30 p.m. ET — Jack Harlow
Jack Harlow is a 25-year-old rapper from Kentucky who looked like this three years ago.
Harlow has been nominated for numerous Billboard Music Awards and Grammys, particularly for his song “Industry Baby,” which was a collaboration with Lil Nas , who olds know from “Old Town Road” which he performed with Billy Ray Cyrus.
So there’s one degree of separation between Harlow and Billy Ray.
In all honesty, Harlow’s music is fun and playful — often self-deprecating. He’s a much better musician than he is an actor, which the abominable White Men Can’t Jump remake showed us earlier this year.
Commanders vs. Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET — Dolly Parton
It’s Dolly-freaking-Parton. If the youths at your Thanksgiving table don’t know who she is then you need to sit their asses down and educate.
Parton began he musical career a staggering 56 years ago, and is the timeless queen of country. Whether it’s banging out up-tempo jams like “9 to 5,” the soulful ballad of “Islands in the Stream,” or the unforgettable “Joleen,” Parton has cemented herself as one of the greatest musicians in history.
The fact she’ll be performing at the biggest game on Thanksgiving is an amazing treat and will definitely be a huge highlight of football on Thursday.
49ers vs. Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET — Steve Aoki
This is the wild card of the evening, but it’s also kind of great. Steve Aoki is one of the most influential house DJs of the last 20 years, known primarily for his remixes and collaborations with mammoth recording artists.
Aoki is far from a household name on his own, but the people he’s worked with are: will.i.am, Lil Jon, Fallout Boy and Kid Cudi — just to name a few. Aoki is going to be A LOT late in the evening when everyone is tired, but this is still a nice change of pace and a true surprise by the NFL to book someone who isn’t as immediately well known as Harlow or Parton.
Oh, and yes, in case you were wondering actress Devon Aoki is Steve’s half-sister.
