Jay-Zhas been announced as the Super Bowl LXI halftime show performer, capping a banner year by doing something few artists have: choosing himself to headline one of the world's biggest stages for the first time ever.
In partnership withJay-Z's entertainment company Roc Nation, the National Football League (NFL) announced Monday, Oct. 26, that the Grammy-winning rapper will headline Super Bowl LXI, which will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 14, 2027.
Leading up to the announcement, fans began speculating that Jay-Z could be a strong contender for the halftime show given his banner year.
Over the prior weekend, Jay-Z wrapped his "Jay-Z 30" concert series with two shows on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 in Los Angeles.
His string of
performances included three massive hometown shows in New York in July, a two-night stint in London on Sept. 4 and 5 and one night in Paris on Sept. 10. He recently debuted his "Jay-Z in 8" HBO documentaryseries with a star-studded premiere in New York.
This will mark the first time the rap titan will take over the Super Bowl stage, but he's had a hand in the halftime show for years.
Jay Z previously turned down halftime headliner slot
In 2019, Jay-Z's company Roc Nation was named the NFL's live music entertainment strategist as a part of the NFL’s Inspire Change Initiative. The initiative also focuses on the league’s social justice efforts and was launched following the NFL's controversial treatment of former player Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality during the 2016 season.
Fans may recall that Jay-Z famously turned down the Super Bowl halftime performance back in 2017. He later revealed that decision was based on “principle” when the NFL requested he bring out Kanye West and Rihanna. Lady Gaga took the stage that year. Since then, Roc Nation has helped bring greater diversity to the forefront of halftime shows.
Beyoncé's previous Super Bowl halftime performances
His wife, Beyoncé, has performed at the Super Bowl twice. She hit the halftime stage Feb 3. 2013, bringing out fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Beyoncé kicked off the 12-minute performance with an a cappella version of her hit "Love on Top." The show racked up 110.8 million viewers, becoming the second-most-watched Super Bowl in history at that time.
She also graced the Super Bowl stage on Feb. 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., joining Bruno Mars and Coldplay, who headlined the halftime show. Her performance of her hit "Formation" became a notable moment as some politicians and fans described the performance as a statement of Black pride.
Super Bowl halftime show history
The Super Bowl first launched a halftime show with a musical superstar in 1993, when Michael Jackson performed onstage.
Here is every Super Bowl halftime performance since:
- Super Bowl 27 (1993): Michael Jackson
- Super Bowl 28 (1994): Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna and Naomi Judd
- Super Bowl 29 (1995): Patti LaBelle and Tony Bennett
- Super Bowl 30 (1996): Diana Ross
- Super Bowl 31 (1997): James Brown, ZZ Top and The Blues Brothers
- Super Bowl 32 (1998): Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, The Temptations
- Super Bowl 33 (1999): Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
- Super Bowl 34 (2000): Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, Phil Collins
- Super Bowl 35 (2001): NSYNC, Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly
- Super Bowl 36 (2002): U2
- Super Bowl 37 (2003): Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting
- Super Bowl 38 (2004): Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, P. Diddy, Nelly, Jessica Simpson
- Super Bowl 39 (2005): Paul McCartney
- Super Bowl 40 (2006): The Rolling Stones
- Super Bowl 41 (2007): Prince
- Super Bowl 42 (2008): Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Super Bowl 43 (2009): Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
- Super Bowl 44 (2010): The Who
- Super Bowl 45 (2011): The Black Eyed Peas, Usher
- Super Bowl 46 (2012): Madonna, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, M.I.A., Cee Lo Green
- Super Bowl 47 (2013): Beyoncé, Destiny's Child
- Super Bowl 48 (2014): Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Super Bowl 49 (2015): Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott
- Super Bowl 50 (2016): Coldplay, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson
- Super Bowl 51 (2017): Lady Gaga
- Super Bowl 52 (2018): Justin Timberlake
- Super Bowl 53 (2019): Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi
- Super Bowl 54 (2020): Jennifer Lopez, Shakira
- Super Bowl 55 (2021): The Weeknd
- Super Bowl 56 (2022): Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak
- Super Bowl 57 (2023): Rihanna
- Super Bowl 58 (2024): Usher, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Lil' Jon, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R.
- Super Bowl 59 (2025): Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Mustard
- Super Bowl 60 (2026): Bad Bunny
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jay Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in 2027
