If there was still any doubt of Beyonce's singing talents - even after her national anthem performance at a press conference - the singer proved she is an exceptional performer at the Super Bowl halftime show.

She set a serious tone as she emerged onstage in all black, singing lines from her R&B hit Love on Top. Then she went into her hit Crazy In Love, bringing some feminine spirit to the Superdome as she and her background dancers did the singer's signature booty-shaking dance.

Beyonce ripped off part of her shirt and skirt.

Her confidence - and voice - grew as she worked the stage with and without her Destiny's Child band mates during her 13-minute set, which comes days after she admitted she sang to a pre-recorded track at President Barack Obama's inauguration less than two weeks ago.

Beyonce proved not only that she can sing, but that she can also entertain on a stage as big as the Super Bowl's.

Beyonce was best when she finished her set with Halo. She asked the crowd to put their hands toward her as she sang the slow groove on bended knee.

She was joined by her Destiny's Child band mates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, who popped up from below the stage to sing Bootylicious.

Before the game, Alicia Keys performed a loungey, piano-tinged version of the national anthem that her publicist assured was live. The Grammy-winning singer played the piano as she sang The Star Spangled Banner in a long red dress with her eyes shut.

She followed Jennifer Hudson, who sang America the Beautiful with the 26-member Sandy Hook Elementary School chorus. It was an emotional performance that had some players on the sideline on the verge of tears.