The 2025 NBA All-Star Game had basketball fans in a chokehold, but music lovers had another reason to tune in. The All-Star Halftime Show entertainment was curated by DJ Cassidy who brought a few Bay Area faves with him to the Chase Center in San Francisco for the NBA All-Star Game edition of Pass The Mic Live!. The set was heavy on hip-hop with E-40, Too $hort and Saweetie rocking the mic, but what really set the performance off was an appearance by R&B superstars En Vogue who had a surprise in store.
Before En Vogue graced center court, DJ Cassidy introduced the celebration of sport and sound with E-40 going dumb on his hit “Tell Me When To Go.” Too $hort kicked things up a notch with his party-starting jam “Blow The Whistle” complete with dancers dressed like referees who blew their whistles, of course. Saweetie then popped out with a medley of her songs “Tap In” and “Best Friend.”
It was then time for En Vogue, and Oakland’s Funky Divas made quite an entrance. As the smoke cleared, it was immediately evident that the group, which has been performing as a trio with newest member Rhona Bennett since 2004, was once again a foursome. In a shocking plot twist, original member Maxine Jones was back in the mix and in step with fellow OGs Cindy Herron-Braggs and Terry Ellis and Bennett.
All four ladies began singing the iconic breakdown from “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” before the instrumental switched to “Free Your Mind.” One by one, Cindy, Rhona and Terry sang their parts leading up to Maxine’s solo moment on the mic, and she sounded as incredible as ever and exactly like we remembered. En Vogue sang the first verse and chorus to “Free Your Mind” before ending their segment with their fists raised high.
En Vogue didn’t just make a statement on Pass The Mic Live!, they signaled their triumphant return with this performance. Today (Monday, February 17th), the group officially welcomed Maxine Jones back in a video posted to their socials. Although the fourth original member Dawn Robinson is still MIA, having Max back is an answered prayer for many fans.
We’re excited to see what’s in store for this next chapter of En Vogue’s story. One thing is for sure, it’s gonna sound amazing. In case you missed anything, watch En Vogue’s reunion performance, the complete Pass The Mic Live! 2025 NBA All-Star Game Halftime Show and the group’s special announcement below.
