• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Jay-Z's huge influence on who performs at Super Bowl halftime show despite never playing it himself

Home> Celebrity

Updated 12:36 13 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 12:34 13 Feb 2023 GMT

Jay-Z's huge influence on who performs at Super Bowl halftime show despite never playing it himself

Jay-Z has never performed in the half time show.

Ali Condon

Ali Condon

Rihanna collectively blew millions of minds during this year's Super Bowl half time show - marking her first live performance in years.

Fans were overjoyed to see the superstar make a long-awaited return to music without a single guest appearance.

There were whisperings of a drop-in from Eminem, Kanye, or Jay-Z during Rihanna's set, given her hit collaborations with the rappers, but the singer commanded the stage solo.

But, even though he might not have been on stage with her, Jay-Z would have played an instrumental part in Rihanna's headline slot.

Advert

Rihanna put on one hell of a show.
UPI / Alamy Stock Photo

Jay-Z, who has featured in a number of songs with Rihanna including 'Umbrella' and 'Run This Town', has never played the Super Bowl half time show himself, but has a major influence over who gets picked to perform.

It all started back in 2019, when Jay-Z called out the NFL for the way they chose the headliners; narrowing it down to four potential acts before picking a winner.

In a press conference, led by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodwell, Jay-Z complained: "The process of selection was fractured.

Advert

"You take four artists and everyone thinks they're playing the Super Bowl. It's almost like this interview process."

He added that, when an act is finally chosen to headline, there are then three 'upset' artists who've been rejected.

"That's not even good math," Jay-Z pointed out.

Fans went crazy for Rihanna's halftime show.
UPI / Alamy Stock Photo

Advert

"After three years, nine people are upset and three people play.

"Ain't that many superstars in the world. You're gonna run out of people that want to play.

"I just think the process could've been more definite."

And, with that, Jay-Z's company Roc Nation entered a partnership with the NFL to help curate one of the biggest live music events in the world.

Advert

Since then, the NFL has seen some of the biggest halftime shows ever, including 2022's West Coast hip hop line-up of Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar, 2021's The Weeknd performance, and 2020's Jennifer Lopez and Shakira collaboration.

Jay-Z with his daughter, Blue Ivy, at the Super Bowl last night (12 February).
UPI / Alamy Stock Photo

Jay-Z has also commented on how the Roc Nation NFL collaboration has made the Super Bowl more inclusive of hip hop as a genre.

He said: "I think that for a long time, and not just the NFL, but America in general looked at rap as this fad thing.

Advert

"It's the number one genre in the world and has been that way ... So I would love for these platforms as being more inclusive of our music."

So it's no wonder we haven't seen Jay-Z play the coveted slot yet - it seems he's way too busy for that.

But if he ever finds the time to squeeze a few rehearsals in... I'm sure no one would be opposed.

Featured Image Credit: UPI / Alamy Stock Photo / ESPN

Topics: Music, Jay-Z, Super Bowl, Rihanna

Ali Condon
Ali Condon

Ali is a journalist for LADbible Group, writing on all things film, music, and entertainment across Tyla, LADbible and UNILAD. You can contact Ali at [email protected].

X

@alicondon

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
9 hours ago
a day ago
  • 3 hours ago

    Shocking story of how Jack Nicholson discovered his sister was actually his mother

    The actor believed his biological mom was his sister and that his grandma was his mom

    Celebrity
  • 9 hours ago

    Kate Beckinsale reveals her mother has died in her arms decades after she found her father dead

    The Underworld actor described her mom as her 'compass'

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    Rob Kardashian shares heartbreaking reason he avoids being seen in public

    The father-of-one has opened up about why he doesn't appear on 'The Kardashians', as he speaks candidly to his sister Khloé

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    Denise Richards makes shocking accusation against estranged husband following his divorce filing

    After the filing for divorce earlier this month, unsettling details of the court case have emerged online

    Celebrity
  • Kendrick Lamar announced as headliner for 2025 Super Bowl halftime show
  • Fans lose it as Kendrick Lamar performs Drake diss track live during Super Bowl performance
  • Super Bowl logo conspiracy theory explained as fans are convinced it accurately predicted the teams playing
  • Rihanna confirms she is pregnant after Super Bowl halftime show