Jay-Z to Headline Super Bowl Halftime
The rapper will perform on February 14 at SoFi Stadium, ending years of speculation about his stage return.
By Sophie Zhang ·
Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the selection on Monday night. This marks the first time the rapper has performed at the event's halftime slot.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that he requested Jay-Z take the stage whenever the moment felt right to him. This agreement followed the league's partnership with Jay-Z's company, Roc Nation, which has advised on and produced the halftime show since 2019. Jay-Z previously told Goodell he could end the conversation if the partnership was solely about his performance, a stance he has now reversed after seven years.
In a statement, Jay-Z described the selection as the culmination of a thirty-year journey. He noted that his career spans from his 1996 debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” to this upcoming appearance on what he called the world’s biggest stage. The announcement follows days of speculation about who would take the stage this year.
The performance will return Jay-Z to SoFi Stadium, where he recently concluded a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Reasonable Doubt.” That tour included three sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium and performances in London and Paris. His recent concerts featured a rotating cast of guests, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Nas, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and his daughter, Blue Ivy.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, has won 25 Grammy Awards from 89 nominations. He holds the second-highest number of nominations in history behind his wife, Beyoncé. His career also includes inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, along with four Emmy awards.
Roc Nation will executive produce the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton serving as director. The show has recently received critical acclaim, with Bad Bunny’s February performance winning a record seven Emmys and Kendrick Lamar’s show winning for music direction last year.
The announcement confirms Jay-Z’s role as the featured performer, a position he has held in the production capacity for several years. His upcoming set will follow his recent induction of “Reasonable Doubt” into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Source: Newsday
