SPECIAL REPORT · MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Jay-Z Just Did the Unbelievable!
After seven years helping shape the Super Bowl halftime stage, Jay-Z is stepping into the spotlight himself.
Talk about calling your own number. Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, according to announcements reported by The Associated Press and Reuters.
The news completes an unusual circle. In August 2019, Jay-Z's Roc Nation entered a partnership with the NFL to advise on major live-music programming and selection of performers. For years, the rapper and entrepreneur helped shape the kind of halftime show other stars delivered. Now his own performance is the event.
From the decision-making room to the field
Jay-Z's career stretches from Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint to an enormous catalog of collaborations. His association with the NFL was initially a behind-the-scenes one, not an onstage role. That is why this booking makes a better story than an ordinary headliner announcement.
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for Valentine's Day in Southern California. SoFi Stadium has hosted the championship before, and this show puts one of hip-hop's most influential performers at the center of the broadcast.
Which songs could make the cut?
Imagine the crowd on the opening notes of “Empire State of Mind,” or the energy of “99 Problems,” “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” or “Run This Town.” These are our guesses, not a confirmed set list. No guest performer is confirmed here either.
That leaves a tantalizing question: does he perform a career-spanning solo set, or share the stage with artists from his many collaborations?
Keep reading on 10 Geeky
Who should join Jay-Z onstage? Our hypothetical guest list. Also see our Sneaker Watch and Nike Halloween feature.