Legendary hip-hop, a magical stadium and a victory for Los Angeles… We tell you about this “California Love”

0

From our correspondent in Los Angeles,

Sunday 1:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, the Super Bowl does not start for two hours but already, the main axes around the SoFi stadium are cordoned off and the cars are jammed. Almost everywhere, residents offer parking spaces on their driveway. Count 300 dollars in cash, plus a kilometer on foot. Others are in full tailgate partywith burgers, beers and jello shots, a mixture of colored gelatin and vodka very popular on campus, served in the back of their pickup truck. You don’t have to be at the stadium to party.

In front of the SoFi, some are still looking for a precious sesame. As with a World Cup final, unless you have a lot of luck in the lottery, it is almost impossible to buy a ticket directly. And on resale sites like Stubhub, the average price is around $8,000. Darrell is ready to pay 2,500 dollars, “for a place in the nosebleed “, slang for a section of the stands so high that the altitude could make your nose bleed.

Welcome to a $5 billion stadium

This stadium, precisely, is a UFO. And not just for its spaceship shape, with a curved roof that seems very low to accommodate 70,000 people this Sunday (and up to 100,000 in maximum configuration). This is because the SoFi stadium, inaugurated in 2020 – and which will host the 2028 Summer Olympics – is partially buried. A gigantic hole 30 meters deep was excavated to build an enclosure supposed to better resist earthquakes and be easier to cool.

After two decades without an NFL team in Los Angeles, Rams owner Stan Kroenke financed this titanic project, which cost between 5 and 6 billion dollars, via private capital. The complex is home to a lake surrounded by palm trees, and above all, ultra-modern VIP boxes that pay off big. Under a summer sun, the transparent roof, open on the sides, gives the impression of being in a cathedral of light.

Except we’re not here for mass. On the synthetic turf, the LA Rams started the game well. Two consecutive touchdowns allow the locals to take the advantage 13-3. In the stands, Jennifer Lopez, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Cardi B enjoy. But just before the break, young Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow finds Tee Higgins in theend zone. Bengals fans roar. 13-10, the match promises to be tight.

Hip-hop fifties set fire

In this Hollywood mega-production, everything goes very fast. In a few minutes, a hundred workers install the elements of the prefabricated scene: white buildings placed on a black carpet representing the “grid” from Los Angeles.

♫ Ta-da da-da-da, it’s the one and only DO Double G ♫ From the first notes of NextEpisode then California Love, Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre transport a good part of the stadium and the 100 million viewers 25 years back. 50 Cent plays surprise guests. Mary J Blige provides voice. Kendrick Lamar and his dancers set it on fire, then Eminem blows it all up with Lose Yourself.

In a strong symbolic gesture, the only white rapper on stage kneels down, six years after the revolt that cost Colin Kaepernick his career.

According to New York Times, the NFL was well aware and had given the green light. It took more than half a century for the American League to give hip-hop a central place at Super Bowl halftime. It was time, and the work remains immense, while the NFL is sued for discriminatory practices by Brian Floresthe former African-American coach of Miami.

First title since 1984

Back from the locker room, the Bengals pull out their claws and take the lead on a masterful pass from Burrow, for a touchdown of nearly 70 yards. The Rams, who may have danced too much at halftime, find themselves with their backs to the wall. On a decisive action in “4th down” (4th and last attempt), their star receiver, Cooper Kupp changes roles, runs with the ball and keeps Los Angeles alive.

A few minutes later, well helped by the referees who whistled a disputed penalty, he delivered half of the stadium with his second reception in the in-goal. The Rams are back in front, 23-20, with 89 seconds left. The Bengals bustle with the energy of desperation. But poorly protected by his offensive line, their quarterback Joe Burrow is once again cut by Aaron “Terminator” Donald, fierce defensive tackle Rams. It’s raining confetti on the lawn. Los Angeles won its first title since 1984, in an atmosphere that was more polite than excited. We are far from the madness of a game 7 at Staples Center with Kobe Bryant’s Lakers.

At the exit of the stadium, the bacon crackles on the hotplates of the sellers of street dogs. The end of california love sounds on a distant loudspeaker: ♫ In the city of LA/In the city, the city of Compton/We keep it rockin’. ♫ 2Pac would have definitely enjoyed this evening.


source site