Lil Jon says he understands Maroon 5鈥檚 decision to cancel its news conference to discuss the band鈥檚 Super Bowl halftime performance with reporters.
Maroon 5, with frontman Adam Levine, was supposed to speak with the media Thursday to promote their Super Bowl 53 appearance, but decided to cancel and let their 鈥渟how do the talking.鈥�
鈥淲hen you come in and just want to give a great show, but you got all of these other distractions, it鈥檚 like 鈥楲et鈥檚 not talk about it.鈥� Let鈥檚 deal with the show,鈥� Lil Jon told The Associated Press after his performance at the Pepsi Brunch Party on Thursday. 鈥淟et people see the show. So, I get it.鈥�
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The event also honoured New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and featured a performance by Bryce Vine.
Maroon 5 did not give a reason for its decision to forgo the press conference, which most halftime acts have participated in. However, it comes as some entertainers have said social injustice needs to be addressed during the Super Bowl.
The band will be joined by Big Boi of Outkast and rapper Travis Scott at halftime of the game between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots.
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick helped start a wave of protests by kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness to police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues.
鈥淚t just a lot going on around this Super Bowl, the music and halftime show, so maybe they just don鈥檛 want to deal with that and just want the people to see the show,鈥� Jon told The Associated Press.
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Lil Jon will star in Pepsi鈥檚 Super Bowl commercial with Steve Carell and Cardi B. The Atlanta-based producer will also be one of the featured performers at NBA legend Shaquille O鈥橬eal鈥檚 鈥淪haq鈥檚 Fun House鈥� music event Friday including performances by Migos, Diplo and Tiesto.
He said he wants to represent his hometown city of Atlanta and show off his craft.
鈥淭his is my city,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 born and raised here. It鈥檚 an opportunity to come and see why we take so much pride in this city. This city is majority African-American. Black mayor, black police chief. With the Super Bowl being here, we have to showcase our city.鈥�
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
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