Jay-Z to headline Super Bowl LXI half-time show in February
The rapper and music executive will perform at the NFL championship game near Los Angeles on February 14, marking his first time as a performer despite years producing the show.
What happened
The NFL announced that Jay-Z will perform at the Super Bowl LXI half-time show on February 14 near Los Angeles. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced the half-time show since 2019, and he plays a key role in selecting each year's performer, but this will be his first time performing at the game himself. The NFL's announcement did not specify whether Jay-Z would be the sole headliner and suggested speculation about potential guest performers, particularly noting that his wife Beyoncé would be "atop the list" of possibilities.
Context
Jay-Z's role as both producer and now performer represents a shift in his involvement with the Super Bowl's most prominent musical slot. His production company's multi-year tenure selecting performers gives him significant influence over one of the year's largest entertainment platforms, and his own appearance signals a merging of that executive role with direct artist participation.
What's disputed
Whether Jay-Z will perform as sole headliner or with guest performers remains unspecified.