Big news is dropping for Super Bowl 61, because it looks like Jay-Z himself is stepping onto the biggest stage in music. Multiple reports are saying the 56-year-old rap icon is going to headline the halftime show in February. If this rumor holds true, it’s a huge moment, not just for music, but for the history of the Super Bowl.
The Rumor and Jay-Z’s Epic Halftime Return
Dave Brooks of Puck News first broke the news that Jay-Z is set to perform at Super Bowl 61, which is happening in Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium. This isn’t just a random pick, either. Even at 56 and without recent music releases, Jay-Z is one of the most popular and famous rappers of all time, bringing all kinds of music connections with him. This choice would keep up the trend of incredibly popular artists hitting the halftime stage, following right after Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny. And get this: it means Jay-Z would get his own show 14 years after his wife, Beyoncé, headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. He’s been helping the league pick performers since the 2019 season, but he’s never headlined himself. It felt like it was probably only a matter of time before he took the stage, and Super Bowl 61 looks like that time.
Jay-Z’s Unmatched Influence on the Super Bowl Stage
Since 2019, Jay-Z and Roc Nation have had the final say in who performs at the Super Bowl halftime show, giving Jay-Z the title of “live music entertainment strategist.” Why did the NFL hand him that kind of power? Back in 2019, some artists were avoiding the NFL because they sided with Colin Kaepernick. The league needed a respected name in the music industry to convince the world’s best artists to do the show. And Jay-Z delivered, big time. Music producer Jesse Collins confirmed in 2023 that Jay-Z has complete control, saying, “It’s a decision that Jay makes. Since we’ve been on board with that show, he’s made it every year, and it’s been amazing. He’s always picked right!” Just look at the lineup he’s brought us: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020, The Weeknd in 2021, the epic crew of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Anderson .Paak in 2022, Rihanna in 2023, Usher in 2024, Kendrick Lamar again in 2025, and Bad Bunny in 2026. Jay-Z himself said in 2019, “The NFL has a great big platform, and it has to be all-inclusive. They were willing to do some things, to make some changes, that we can do some good.”
We’re all waiting for the official word, but if these reports are true, Super Bowl 61 is about to get a legendary soundtrack. Get ready, because it sounds like Jay-Z is about to remind everyone why he’s one of the greatest ever.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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