Jay-Z will perform at the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, leaving fans both annoyed and excited
Jay-Z finally formalises the expected announcement that he will headline the Super Bowl halftime show, but not everyone is thrilled about the news. The official announcement came via Apple Music, which sponsors the segment and released a video titled: “GOAT’s out of the bag. JAŸ-Z will perform at #SBLXI.” In 2024, the rapper said: “I thought it would be selfish to pick myself too early. Maybe one year. Maybe.” The Hard Knock Life rapper has sold more than 30 million records, though his last release was nearly a decade ago, which has led to some commentators questioning his relevance.
The Announcement
The announcement, made on 26 October, was hardly surprising, though it did send a few shockwaves through the music world, notably the hip-hop community. The performance slot is curated by Jay-Z’s own media company, Roc Nation, whose partnership with the sports league goes back to 2019. The decision to allow him to take the spot is finalised not just by the company, but by the NFL, too.
It will be his first Super Bowl halftime performance, though not everyone is enthusiastic about his perceived move to award it to himself. The most plausible logic is that the rapper, real name Shawn Carter, is celebrating 30 years since the release of his debut, Reasonable Doubt, and 25 years since the release of his most acclaimed work, The Blueprint. Others believe he could be teeing up an announcement for a new project.
Carter said in a statement: “From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, this has been a journey,” while Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, said: “When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request,” referring to his wish for Jay-Z to perform one day.
Criticism and Praise
The announcement has attracted both criticism and praise. NBA player LeBron James said: “ROC BOYS,” while former NFL player Jason Kelce said: “He is the GOAT.” But not everyone agrees.
Former rapper Joe Budden simply said: “I’m not excited about it,” while Emmanuel Acho, a former linebacker and now commentator, said: “I just don’t think it does a lot for the growth of the game.” Others believe that because Jay-Z has not been as central or relevant to the contemporary pop music scene as Kendrick Lamar or Bad Bunny, the choice to award the spot to himself is counterintuitive.
Social media has been less forgiving, with some calling for a petition to remove him. One user said: “Jay-Z is lame asf for choosing himself to do the halftime show and I can’t be the only one not excited about it.” Another called for an alternative, asking: “Give us one of the divas.” Many have questioned his showmanship, arguing that his performances can feel static: “Ehhhh— I’m not excited to watch homie stand still and rap in a mic.”
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