The NBA has announced at least part of the entertainment for its All-Star Game weekend, naming Ariana Grande as the headliner for the halftime show of the big game. The game will take place on February 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York, just a week after the pop star is due to perform at the Grammys in Los Angeles (from Billboard).
Both Grande and the NBA will have a tough time one-upping last year's performance from the All-Star Game weekend in New Orleans. That game featured a packed lineup that paid tribute to the city's rich musical history, featuring Dr. John, Janelle Monae, Shorty Trombone, Gary Clark Jr. and Earth, Wind and Fire all onstage. The pre game introductions occurred while Pharrell Williams performed.
The rest of the acts performing over the weekend in New York are expected to be released during the next several weeks. You should expect some other acts to join Grande onstage during her halftime show but it's tough to figure who'll be chosen. Jessie J is a possibility—the pair is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance along with Nicki Minaj for "Bang Bang" but it may be odd without Minaj in attendance (and Minaj would be the headliner if she were to attend). Grande's other big hit featuring another performer would be "Problem," which includes Iggy Azalea...but that rapper might also be headliner material (plus it might make her boyfriend Nick "Swaggy P" Young sad if she performs at the All Star Game he won't be playing in).
Grande's boyfriend however, rapper Big Sean, is a good bet, as well as New York emcee A$AP Ferg, who makes an appearance on the pop star's "Hands On Me."
