Jay-Z set for February Super Bowl

Fans attending Super Bowl LXI on February 14 near Los Angeles will see rapper Jay-Z on stage. The National Football League announced the performance on Monday, marking his first time headlining the championship halftime show.

The decision follows a series of events in Los Angeles last weekend. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, played two concerts at the stadium designated for the upcoming Super Bowl. Those performances were the final legs of a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of his 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt.

Jay-Z has been involved in the Super Bowl halftime production since 2019. His company, Roc Nation, has held the contract to produce the show during that period. He previously served in a capacity selecting other artists but had not performed himself until now. The NFL did not clarify in its announcement whether he would perform alone or with guests.

"Anticipation as to who Jay-Z might have guest star at halftime for the big game will now kick off," the NFL said in a statement. "Of course, his wife, Beyoncé, will be atop the list."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the arrangement during the announcement. He noted that when Roc Nation first took over production duties, he asked for Jay-Z to perform one day. "I had just one request: that Jay-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him," Goodell said. He added that he is eager for fans to see the artist's cultural impact live.

Jay-Z responded to the news by reflecting on his career trajectory. He described the path from his early work to the Super Bowl stage as a dream realized. "Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage," he said. The game is scheduled to take place on February 14 near Los Angeles.