On Valentine’s Day, Jay-Z will step onto the turf at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium to headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show, ending years of speculation by finally choosing himself for the world’s biggest musical stage. The announcement dropped during the Monday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, rolling out via a coordinated release from Apple Music, the NFL, and Roc Nation.
The milestone arrives on the heels of a massive career retrospective for the 25-time Grammy winner. Last weekend, the rap icon played two back-to-back concerts at SoFi Stadium as part of his “Jay-Z 30” tour, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint. That run followed three sold-out nights at New York’s Yankee Stadium in July, international stops in London and Paris, and the release of Jay-Z in 8, an eight-part HBO documentary created in partnership with producer Rick Rubin.
“From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, this has been a journey,” Jay-Z said in a news release. “Thirty years of music, work and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.”
The Decision Behind the Stage and Roc Nation’s Production Run
Before Jay-Z locked in his own booking, artists like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and Harry Styles were reportedly in the running. Ultimately, the decision rested with the rapper himself. Through his entertainment firm, Roc Nation, Jay-Z has held ultimate authority over halftime show performer selections every year since 2020.
Super Bowl LXI marks the eighth year Roc Nation will produce the halftime spectacle. The partnership began in 2019 when the firm signed on to consult the NFL on live music entertainment and manage the social justice initiative Inspire Change, which focuses on expanding opportunity in underserved communities. That collaboration was extended for another five years in 2024.
For the upcoming Inglewood production, Roc Nation will executive-produce the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show, with Hamish Hamilton returning as director.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted in a news release that when the league first partnered with Roc Nation, he had just a single request. “When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request: that Jay-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him,” Goodell said. “I couldn’t be more excited for fans around the world to experience the artistry, creativity and cultural impact he will bring to the Super Bowl stage.”
Breaking Prior Impasses Over Creative Control
Jay-Z previously admitted that taking the gig earlier would have felt premature. He told Entertainment Tonight in 2024 that it would have felt selfish to pick himself too early.
Years prior, the NFL approached him about headlining, but the offer came with creative stipulations. The league wanted him to perform “Run This Town” alongside Rihanna and Kanye West. Jay-Z rejected the pitch, telling the New York Times in 2020 that he refused to take the stage under conditions dictated by guest curation. “I said, ‘No, you get me,’” he recalled of the principle-driven standoff.
Rihanna eventually went on to headline the 2023 Super Bowl. Alongside his label’s deep roster of talent, the performance could feature top artists, considering the fact that he’s married to Beyoncé, who headlined the halftime show in 2013 and made a guest appearance during Coldplay’s Super Bowl 50 set in 2016.
Managing the Global Spotlight After Past Controversy
The announcement follows Bad Bunny headlining the show in February, which created an uproar and something of a culture war. That performance sparked a distinct culture war, drawing organized counter-programming from conservative groups like Turning Point USA, which staged an alternative halftime event featuring Kid Rock.
With last season’s game drawing almost 125 million viewers, this is one of — if not the — biggest stages in music. Fans can catch the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show come Feb. 14, as the Super Bowl will air on ESPN, ABC and Disney+.
