Jay-Z Takes the Stage at Super Bowl LXI After Years of NFL Backstage Work
The rapper’s shift from NFL music strategist to halftime headliner follows a string of stadium performances and a fresh haircut that signaled a new era.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Jay-Z will headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The decision marks a shift for the rapper, who founded Roc Nation in 2008 and has served as the NFL's live music entertainment strategist since August 2019. In that capacity, his team helped produce the halftime performances for Super Bowl LIV in 2020 featuring Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, as well as subsequent shows headlined by Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny.
Prior to this announcement, Jay-Z had expressed skepticism about performing at the event. In his 2018 track "Apes," he rapped, "I said no to the Super Bowl: You need me, I don't need you." While he has since changed his stance, the move to the center stage follows a pattern of recent live performances in large venues.
In 2025, Jay-Z made three surprise appearances at his wife Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour. These stops included Paris, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. His June 22 appearance at the Atlanta Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium marked his first live performance with Beyoncé in seven years. The set list included the 2003 hit "Crazy in Love." He also appeared at the July 26 tour finale at the Las Vegas Raiders' Allegiant Stadium.
The rapper returned to solo headlining status in Philadelphia in May 2026. His May 30 set at the Roots Picnic was his first solo headline show since at least 2019. The event featured reunions with local collaborators such as Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Memphis Bleek, and the Young Gunz. During this period, Jay-Z switched from his long locs to an afro, a style he said honored his father.
A change in hairstyle often signals a new project for the artist. In a 2006 interview with GQ, he stated, "Usually I don't cut my hair when I'm recording." He revisited this idea in a 2023 interview with Gayle King on "CBS Mornings," noting, "I'm working through whether to cut it or not. I'm just letting the world know." Beyoncé later explained in a video titled "The Blueprint" that Jay-Z initially grew his hair to support their daughter Blue Ivy during a period of low confidence.
In March 2026, Jay-Z and Roc Nation announced a three-night celebration at Yankee Stadium to mark the 30th anniversary of "Reasonable Doubt" and the 25th anniversary of "The Blueprint." The first of these sold-out shows took place on July 10, where Jay-Z appeared with a low-cut Caesar. Pharrell Williams, performing with him on July 11, remarked, "They poked the bear and now the bear cut his hair."
