Jay-Z Finally Takes Stage at Super Bowl Halftime After Years Producing It

Jay-Z will perform as the headliner of the Super Bowl 61 halftime show, a role he has long filled behind the scenes as a producer and curator. The NFL and Apple Music disclosed the selection on social media during a Monday night football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The announcement followed initial reports from Puck that cited industry sources regarding the deal.

The league’s decision formalizes a partnership that began in 2019, when Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, started producing the event. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that he witnessed the artist’s impact on the production during that period. Goodell noted that he made one specific request when the league first hired Roc Nation: that Jay-Z would perform himself at a moment of his choosing. That moment is now set for early 2027.

The performance is scheduled for February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Broadcasters ESPN, ABC, and Disney+ will air the game and the halftime show, with the event also available on mobile devices through NFL+. The timing follows the conclusion of Jay-Z’s 30 Tour, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The tour included stops in Paris, London, and New York City, with the final two concerts held at the same stadium where he will now perform.

In a statement released on Monday, the rapper described the booking as a culmination of his career. “From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, this has been a journey,” Jay-Z said. He added that three decades of work and culture would be showcased on what he called the world’s biggest stage. Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of music and international content, predicted an incredible show, citing the artist’s profound and undeniable impact on global music culture.

It is not yet known whether Beyoncé or other frequent collaborators will appear during the set. Previous headliners have invited major stars to join them, while others, such as The Weeknd and Rihanna, performed solo. Last year’s halftime show featured Bad Bunny, with cameos from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. That performance won seven Creative Arts Emmys, making it the most awarded halftime show in history. Jay-Z received his third Emmy for producing that event, while Bad Bunny earned his first.

The announcement video posted by the NFL featured black-and-white footage of the 25-time Grammy winner sitting in the stands with a goat on his lap. The audio track played the opening line of his song “Public Service Announcement (Interlude),” which reads: “Allow me to reintroduce myself.” The post included the caption “GOAT’s out of the bag,” referencing the artist’s status in the music industry.