Jay-Z has landed the next Super Bowl halftime gig, even though he helps pick who gets that spot. The NFL confirmed the choice, giving the 56-year-old rap star a chance to perform at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
ABC gets the main TV broadcast, its first for the game in two decades. ESPN and Disney+ will carry it live as well, marking a debut for both platforms.
For context, Jay-Z has 25 Grammy wins and a fortune worth billions. His best-known tracks range from Empire State of Mind and 99 Problems to Holy Grail. He sees this gig as another big step in a music career spanning three decades.
There is an extra layer to the booking. Jay-Z founded Roc Nation, which has helped the NFL run its halftime acts and social justice work since 2019. In effect, the artist who helps plan the show will get his turn onstage.
That deal came after stars refused to perform in support of Colin Kaepernick. The former quarterback had taken a knee during the national anthem to protest police violence and racism. Critics, Kaepernick among them, later took issue with Jay-Z for working with the league.
Jay-Z had a different view. He felt real change had to go beyond symbolic protests. The NFL and Roc Nation went on to give millions to charity through Inspire Change, although the music side of their deal has drawn far more public attention.
Roc Nation's past lineups have brought Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Usher to the field. Another SoFi event had Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar share the bill. Bad Bunny's more recent set had an audience of about 128 million.
NFL boss Roger Goodell has wanted Jay-Z to take this role for years. He had raised the idea when the two sides began working together, but left the choice of when to perform up to the rapper.
The league has been busy with other music bookings as well. Beyoncé took part in a Netflix football special, while U2 and Miranda Lambert were picked for holiday game shows. It is a clear push to make live music a bigger part of NFL events.
ABC gets the main TV broadcast, its first for the game in two decades. ESPN and Disney+ will carry it live as well, marking a debut for both platforms.
For context, Jay-Z has 25 Grammy wins and a fortune worth billions. His best-known tracks range from Empire State of Mind and 99 Problems to Holy Grail. He sees this gig as another big step in a music career spanning three decades.
There is an extra layer to the booking. Jay-Z founded Roc Nation, which has helped the NFL run its halftime acts and social justice work since 2019. In effect, the artist who helps plan the show will get his turn onstage.
That deal came after stars refused to perform in support of Colin Kaepernick. The former quarterback had taken a knee during the national anthem to protest police violence and racism. Critics, Kaepernick among them, later took issue with Jay-Z for working with the league.
Jay-Z had a different view. He felt real change had to go beyond symbolic protests. The NFL and Roc Nation went on to give millions to charity through Inspire Change, although the music side of their deal has drawn far more public attention.
Roc Nation's past lineups have brought Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Usher to the field. Another SoFi event had Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar share the bill. Bad Bunny's more recent set had an audience of about 128 million.
NFL boss Roger Goodell has wanted Jay-Z to take this role for years. He had raised the idea when the two sides began working together, but left the choice of when to perform up to the rapper.
The league has been busy with other music bookings as well. Beyoncé took part in a Netflix football special, while U2 and Miranda Lambert were picked for holiday game shows. It is a clear push to make live music a bigger part of NFL events.
