Jay-Z closes 2027 Super Bowl deal after seven-year standoff
The rapper returns to the stage in Inglewood on Feb. 14, closing a chapter that began with his Roc Nation's 2019 partnership with the NFL.
By Edward Lawson ·
Jay-Z will perform at the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show.
The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the news on Monday night. The performance is scheduled for Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The announcement featured a short video of the artist sitting in the stadium surrounded by goats. The clip included the caption "GOAT's out of the bag."
Jay-Z recently concluded his "Jay-Z 30" concert series. The tour began with three shows at Yankee Stadium in New York. It continued with performances in London before ending in Southern California. The final shows took place at the same venue where he will now headline the Super Bowl halftime. Speculation about his potential return to the stage had been building for days prior to the official reveal.
His connection to the event runs deeper than the performance slot. Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL since 2019. The company advises on and helps produce the league's entertainment presentations. In 2019, Jay-Z told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, "If this is about me performing at the Super Bowl, then we can just end this conversation now." Seven years later, that conversation has reached a different conclusion.
Since that 2019 announcement, the halftime stage has hosted a rotating list of major artists. Past performers include Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd. Jay-Z joins this group as the next featured act for the league's biggest entertainment showcase.
Born Shawn Carter, Jay-Z holds 25 Grammy Awards. He has received 89 nominations, the second-most in history behind his wife, Beyonce. His catalog includes albums such as "Reasonable Doubt," "The Blueprint," and "The Black Album." Notable songs include "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," "99 Problems," and "Empire State of Mind." His 1996 debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame last year.
Beyond recording, Jay-Z has built a career in music publishing, artist management, and sports. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and established Roc Nation in 2008. The company now works with various artists and athletes. He became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. He also joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
Source: CBS News
