The NFL has taken ownership of large parts of the Gregorian calendar. Yet there isn’t a regular-season day more cherished by league officials and fans alike than Thanksgiving Day.
Family and food are central to the Turkey Day festivities. Football is a close third, with The Shield taking center stage as mac and cheese and collard greens are passed from one side of the table to the other.
The league knows it, too. It has turned the game into a spectacle over the years, adorning it with trophies, turkey and music.
The Ravens and Bengals are slated to lock horns under the Thanksgiving moonlight on Thursday. They won’t be alone when they traipse onto the field. They’ll be accompanied by a famed griot known for his contributions to crunk: Lil Jon.
The Atlanta-based emcee has wielded the mic like a sword throughout his career. He’ll get a formidable test while braving the elements in Baltimore.
So why is Lil Jon performing at M&T Bank Stadium on Thanksgiving? Here’s what you need to know.
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Why is Lil Jon performing during Ravens vs. Bengals game?
Lil Jon’s voice danced across tracks during the mid- and late-2000s and early 2010s. His music has lasted far longer than his prime, though. The patron saint of club-goers, Lil Jon is a well-known presence — just the sort of talent who offers crossover appeal for the masses of casual fans set to watch the Ravens and Bengals clash on Thanksgiving Day. That should only help the NFL draw more viewers for the matchup.
Lil Jon’s music continues to find a home at sporting events. “Turn Down for What” and “Yeah” routinely take hold of stadium speakers, while “Snap Yo Fingers” was included on the Madden NFL 26 soundtrack.
He hasn't released a musical album in more than a decade, although he did release two guided meditation records in 2024. Nevertheless, Lil Jon's cadence has remained in the spotlight more than 30 years after his debut. Assuming his setlist includes his classics, he should get butts off the seats during the intermission of Baltimore and Cincinnati's bout.
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As compared to other Thanksgiving performers like Jack White and Post Malone, Lil Jon doesn't actually have an allegiance with the Ravens and Bengals. He's an Atlanta sports fan through-and-through, having expressed nostalgia over the Braves of the past. He has also appeared at a number of Falcons games over the years, joining Usher, T.I., Zendaya and TLC as celebrities to sport the black-and-red at Mercedes Benz-Stadium over the years.
Still, the prospect of performing at another NFL game — Lil Jon serenaded the Atlanta faithful as recently as Week 13 of the 2024 season — had to be alluring for the 54-year-old, who will get another chance to show off his gifts, granted in an abridged performance.
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What time is Ravens vs. Bengals halftime show?
The Ravens-Bengals game is expected to kick off at about 8:20 p.m. ET. If everything goes as planned and the game is played at a normal pace, Lil Jon should hit the stage around 9:45 p.m. ET.
For those hoping to watch his performance, we’d recommend tuning in slightly before 9:45. The Ravens possess one of the league’s most captivating attacks, spearheaded by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. You might even catch a few fireworks before Lil Jon sets M&T Bank Stadium alight.
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NFL Thanksgiving schedule 2025
| Game | Kickoff time | TV channel |
| Packers at Lions | 1 p.m. ET | Fox, Fubo |
| Chiefs at Cowboys | 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS, Fubo |
| Bengals at Ravens | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC, Fubo |
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