Before kickoff for Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Hamilton
star Leslie Odom Jr. sang "America the Beautiful" with local youth choirs the Angelica Cantanti and ComMUSICation. Then, Pink sang the National Anthem, sounding great despite being incapacitated by a flu that also affected her Friday night show at the Armory. Odom Jr. will be back in town in March to perform two shows with the Minnesota Orchestra.

There were plenty of music connections during Super Bowl ads, and of course Justin Timberlake performed the halftime show.

Remembering Dennis Edwards

Singer Dennis Edwards has died of an undisclosed cause at age 74. He was best-known as the lead singer of the Temptations starting in 1968, becoming the voice behind hits like "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," "I Can't Get Next to You," and "Cloud Nine." As the New York Times notes, "Edwards's resonant, powerful voice, burnished from years singing gospel, was perfect for the driving soul music of the 1970s." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of the Temptations, in 1989.

Lana Del Rey kidnapping scheme thwarted

On Saturday night in Orlando, Florida, police arrested a man named Michael Hunt outside of a Lana Del Rey concert, after receiving a "credible threat" that he planned to kidnap her. Hunt, who was in possession of a knife and a concert ticket at the time of his arrest, did not make contact with the singer, who says she's "doing fine." (Rolling Stone)

Boyd Tinsley takes a break from the DMB

Violinist Boyd Tinsley, a longtime member of the Dave Matthews Band, has taken a break from the group. "I need to take a break from the band & touring 2 focus on my family & my health 4 a while," wrote Tinsley on Twitter less than a day before the group's Saturday night show at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. (Rolling Stone) At the concert, Matthews made an understated mention of the situation.

Bruno and Cardi coming to St. Paul

Fresh off his Grammys trifecta (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year), Bruno Mars has announced a new set of world tour dates — and he's bringing his "Finesse" duet partner Cardi B, who at this point could almost headline arenas herself, along as an opener. The tour will come to St. Paul, likely to the Xcel Energy Center, at a date still to be announced. (Rolling Stone)

Spice Girls tease reunion

All five members of the Spice Girls are exploring "some incredible new opportunities together," they say. The quintet, who last performed together in 2012, shared a reunion photo on Instagram, sparking hopes of a tour or even a new album. (Rolling Stone)