Rapper Jay-Z will perform at the Super Bowl LXI half-time show on 14 February near Los Angeles, the NFL has announced. The global musical showcase takes place during the American football championship game, which attracts tens of millions of television viewers across the United States.
A First-Time Halftime Performance
Jay-Z’s entertainment company, Roc Nation, has produced the halftime show since 2019. Although the artist plays a pivotal role in selecting each year’s headliner, he has never performed at the championship game himself.
In a statement reported by BBC News, the NFL highlighted the excitement surrounding potential guest appearances, noting, “Anticipation as to who Jay-Z might have guest star at halftime for the big game will now kick off,” while adding that “his wife, Beyoncé, will be atop the list.”
Reflecting on a 30-Year Career
The announcement followed two recent concert appearances by Jay-Z at the Los Angeles stadium scheduled to host the upcoming Super Bowl. The performances formed part of a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
“From ‘Reasonable Doubt’ to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey,” said Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. “Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming show, stating he “couldn’t be more excited for fans around the world to experience the artistry, creativity and cultural impact he will bring.” Goodell added, “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.”
Jay-Z joins a line of recent halftime performers that includes Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Rihanna, and The Weeknd. Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 appearance became the most-watched halftime show in history and earned an Emmy award for outstanding music direction. Jay-Z enters the stage with numerous career honors, having won 25 Grammy awards, becoming the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and receiving induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
