Since 2006, the NFL has aired three Thanksgiving day games, adding a nightcap to the traditional Lions and Cowboys games. 2023 features an NFC West throwdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Who performs during halftime?
Prolific EDM DJ Steve Aoki gets to keep the energy levels at a maximum during his NFL Thanksgiving halftime show. When and where can you watch the Thanksgiving night game? Here’s how to watch the 49ers and Seahawks divisional tilt and more about Aoki.
Who Is Steve Aoki?
Aoki was born in Miami, Florida, in 1977 but spent most of his childhood in Newport Beach, California. Born to Rocky Aoki and Chizuru Kobayashi, his father was a former wrestler and founder of the restaurant chain Benihana. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating with two B.A. degrees in women’s studies and sociology.
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Aoki entered the electronic music scene in 1996 when he founded his label, Dim Mak Records, which released music by other EDM artists, including early MSTRKRFT and Infected Mushroom. He would remix countless songs from artists of all genres, such as The Jackson 5, Kid Cudi, All-American Rejects, and BTS, to show his range.
Since then, the DJ has been one of the highest-grossing EDM artists in North America, gaining the majority of his money through touring. He would not release his first official album until January 2012 with Wonderland. Releasing seven albums since Aoki is sure to give Seattle a top-notch show with more than just remixes.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC
- Live stream option: Peacock
A high-energy halftime performance deserves an equally exciting game. The 49ers and Seahawks should deliver in the final Thanksgiving game of the day. The Niners are back on track after their three-game losing streak from Weeks 6-8. After thoroughly beating Jacksonville in Week 10, San Francisco quickly dispatched the Buccaneers.
QB Brock Purdy looks like he did before the injury bug hit the offense, throwing six touchdowns in the last two games. Will the Seahawks be able to pressure the young QB into the same mistakes from San Francisco’s losses? They desperately need it after getting swept by the Rams this season.
While Los Angeles HC Sean McVay owns Seattle HC Pete Carroll throughout their rivalry, a one-point division loss is brutal when chasing down the 49ers. The Seahawks desperately need the win, but it will be even more difficult with WR Deebo Samuel and LT Trent Williams returning for the 49ers.
Seattle isn’t having the same luck heading into this matchup. QB Geno Smith missed practice on Monday but was limited in walkthroughs on Tuesday. What’s more concerning, though, is RB Kenneth Walker III and WR DK Metcalf are not practicing this week. If both are out, this hill becomes much more challenging to climb for Seattle.
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