Forget about Taylor Swift: Jay-Z picks himself for the Super Bowl LXI halftime show

The man who helped reshape the Super Bowl halftime show is finally taking center stage. Jay-Z will headline the biggest musical performance in sports, stepping into the spotlight after years of helping build the spectacle behind the scenes.

The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Monday that the hip-hop icon will be the featured performer during the Super Bowl LX halftime show on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California .

Since Roc Nation partnered with the NFL in 2019 , Jay-Z has played a key role in advising and producing the league’s entertainment presentations, including the halftime show. Now, after years of influence behind the scenes, the 25-time Grammy winner will finally take the stage himself.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that when the league first reached its agreement with Roc Nation, he had one request: that Jay-Z perform whenever he felt the timing was right.

“From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey,” Jay-Z 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 ends days of speculation surrounding the halftime performer. Jay-Z will return to SoFi Stadium, where he recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut album Reasonable Doubt with a special performance.

The Brooklyn-born rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, enters the Super Bowl stage as one of the most decorated artists in music history. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, earned 89 nominations, and built a legendary catalog featuring hits such as “99 Problems,” “Empire State of Mind” and “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem).”

Beyond music, Jay-Z has become one of the most influential figures in entertainment. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, launched Roc Nation in 2008 and expanded the company into a major force representing artists and athletes.

His accomplishments include becoming the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 , and winning four Emmy Awards.

Jay-Z’s recent performances have featured appearances from some of the biggest names in music, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Nas, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and DJ Khaled , raising expectations for what his Super Bowl halftime show could bring.

Roc Nation will executive produce the performance, with Hamish Hamilton directing. The halftime show has become one of the most prestigious events in entertainment, with recent performances from Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar earning major Emmy recognition.

After years of creating the Super Bowl spectacle from behind the curtain, Jay-Z is ready to make history under the brightest lights.