Jay-Z Will Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show Himself in Inglewood

Jay-Z, who has spent years helping shape the Super Bowl halftime show behind the scenes, will now be its featured performer. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Monday night that he will headline the halftime festivities on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he made one request when the league first struck its agreement with Roc Nation: that Jay-Z perform himself "whenever the moment felt right to him."

In a statement, Jay-Z reflected on his path to the stage. "From 'Reasonable Doubt' to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey," he said. "Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true."

The announcement followed days of speculation. It comes as Jay-Z returns to the same stadium where he wrapped up a celebration of the 30th anniversary of "Reasonable Doubt," his 1996 debut album. That run included three sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium and sold-out performances in London and Paris, before a stop at SoFi Stadium over the weekend.

Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to advise on and help produce the league's entertainment presentations, including the halftime show. At the time, Jay-Z said he had told Goodell, "If this is about me performing at the Super Bowl, then we can just end this conversation now." Seven years later, he has changed course.

Born Shawn Carter, Jay-Z has won 25 Grammy Awards and received 89 nominations, the second-most in history behind his wife, Beyoncé, who has performed at two Super Bowls. His catalog includes the albums "The Blueprint" and "The Black Album," along with hits such as "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," "99 Problems" and "Empire State of Mind," a collaboration with Alicia Keys. Last year, "Reasonable Doubt" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

His recent concerts featured a rotating cast of guests. On opening night at SoFi Stadium, his daughter Blue Ivy played piano on "The Story of O.J." and "Dead Presidents," while Scarface, John Legend and DJ Khaled also joined him. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Too $hort appeared during Saturday's finale. Earlier in the run, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem and Nas were among the guests at Yankee Stadium.

The Brooklyn rapper has also built a career as an executive and entrepreneur. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and founded Roc Nation in 2008, growing it into an entertainment company that works with artists and athletes. He became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017, joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, and is a four-time Emmy winner.

Roc Nation will executive produce the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. The event has been a recent Emmy favorite: Bad Bunny's performance in February won a record seven, including best variety special (live), and Kendrick Lamar's show last year won for music direction.