During Big 12 media days in July, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark hinted at the conference having a “major artist” as part of a halftime show for its championship game in December.
Originally expected to be announced earlier this month, all has been quiet regarding who the mystery “major artist” could be. On Wednesday, the Big 12 finally announced who fans can expect to see perform.
The artist in question will be rapper and hip-hop artist Nelly. The 48-year-old is originally from Austin, Texas, before he moved to Missouri, an original Big 12 territory, growing up in and around St. Louis.
Nelly is no stranger to the spotlight or halftime shows; during his illustrious 20-plus-year career, he has won three Grammy Awards and has sold well over 20 million albums. He also has performed during two separate Super Bowl halftime shows as well, doing so at Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XXXVIII.
The 2023 Big 12 championship game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where it’s scheduled to be held through the 2030 season. It has been held at the stadium every year since 2017 when the conference brought back its championship game after not having one from 2011 through 2016.
Last year, the No. 10 Kansas State Wildcats upset the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs 31-28, spoiling TCU’s chance at a perfect season. It was the second time Kansas State had won a Big 12 championship game, also doing so in 2003. TCU would go on to make the College Football Playoffs as the No. 3 seed, defeating No. 2 Michigan 51-45 before losing to No. 1 Georgia in the national championship game 65-7.