Jay-Z to headline Super Bowl halftime show in February

Residents of Hamilton County who follow the NFL will see Jay-Z take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show next February. The rapper is set to headline the performance on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the booking on Monday night. Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, revealed that he asked Roc Nation to let Jay-Z perform personally when the timing felt right. Goodell had made that request when the league first reached an agreement with the company in 2019.

Jay-Z stated in a written release that this role represents thirty years of music and work on a major platform. He described the experience as a dream come true. The announcement follows days of speculation about who would lead the show this year.

This return to SoFi Stadium holds personal significance for the artist. He recently closed his tour for the 30th anniversary of his 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt, at that same venue. The tour included sold-out shows in New York, London, and Paris before the California dates.

Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to help produce the league's entertainment presentations. The company will executive produce the upcoming halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton serving as the director. The production team is aiming for another Emmy win, following the success of recent performances by artists like Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar.

Jay-Z, whose full name is Shawn Carter, has won 25 Grammy Awards and received 89 nominations. He is also a four-time Emmy winner and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. His recent concerts featured guests such as Beyonce, Rihanna, and Dr. Dre.

The rapper co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and established Roc Nation in 2008. The company now works with various artists and athletes. Last year, his album Reasonable Doubt was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.