Jay-Z Headlines Super Bowl Halftime

Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on February 14.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the news Monday night. The performance will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, said he had one request when the league first partnered with Roc Nation. He asked that Jay-Z take the stage whenever the moment felt right. Goodell stated, 'From “Reasonable Doubt” to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey.'

Jay-Z responded in a statement. He said, 'Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.' The announcement follows days of speculation about the performer.

Jay-Z recently returned to SoFi Stadium to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt. His tour included three sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium, as well as sold-out performances in London and Paris. At the SoFi Stadium shows over the weekend, his daughter Blue Ivy played piano on tracks like “The Story of O.J.” and “Dead Presidents.”

Roc Nation has advised on and helped produce NFL entertainment presentations since 2019. The company will executive produce the upcoming halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, has won 25 Grammy Awards and received 89 nominations. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and founded Roc Nation in 2008. The artist became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

Reasonable Doubt was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame last year. His recent concerts featured a rotating cast of guests. At Yankee Stadium, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, and Nas appeared. At the SoFi Stadium finale on Saturday, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Too $hort joined him. Bad Bunny’s performance in February won a record seven Emmys. Kendrick Lamar’s show last year won for music direction.