Jay-Z: Will He Ever Headline The Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Author Autumn Hawkins

January 9th 2:34 PM

Jay-Z finally answers the question fans have been waiting to hear: will he ever step foot on the Super Bowl stage? The Roc Nation founder is currently in a multi-year deal with the NFL to produce entertainment for events for the organization, including the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The billionaire inked the deal in August 2019. Part of the deal entails him selecting artists for the show. So far, he’s had Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020, The Weeknd in 2021, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent for 2022, Rihanna in 2023. Usher will headline this year.

During the red carpet for The Book Of Clarence over the weekend, the rap mogul was asked if he would ever entertain the thought of performing at the Super Bowl in the future.

“I don’t know,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “I thought it would be selfish to pick myself too early. Maybe one year. Maybe.”

In the past, Jay-Z has previously declined to perform at the Super Bowl in 2017. He has also called out the organization for how they handled former San Francisco’s QB Colin Kaepernick taking a knee for racial injustice. He mentioned it in the song “Apes—” with Beyoncé.

“I said no to the Super Bowl: you need me, I don’t need you. Every night we in the endzone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too,” he rapped. Obviously, things changed since then, resulting in Jay’s deal with the NFL.

Usher To Headline Super Bowl LVIII

As for the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime next month, Jay-Z had some nice words for Usher saying that he is in his “rightful place” and that the R&B legend is one of the “greatest performers we’ve seen in our time.”

“Usher is the ultimate artist and showman,” Jay-Z previously said in a press release. “Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul. His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.”

Usher has wanted this opportunity for quite some time and is thankful for the gig.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” Usher said in a press release. “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before. Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

The Super Bowl LVIII will take place in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

Usher: Artists He Should Bring Out At The 2024 Super Bowl

• Beyoncé

  After Usher played an April Fool’s joke during his Dreamvile concert performance, he certainly owes his fans to bring Beyoncé out. The superstars only have one song together which is “Love In This Club Part II.” However, they had very memorable performance for Usher’s Live From Puerto Rico concert special back in 2005. Beyoncé stayed on stage for Usher’s performance of “Bad Girl” and fans would not mind if they decided to have a repeat performance. Take a look at the throwback moment here. She headlined one of the best Halftime shows ever, in 2013. In 2016, she stole the show when she guested with Coldplay.

• Alicia Keys

  Alicia Keys and Usher did not beat dating allegations after they dropped “My Boo.” While they didn’t date in real life, it is definitely fans’ top features for both artists. The duet by the R&B powerhouses was released in 2004 and served as the fourth single on Usher’s Confessions album. We hope that Alicia’s invitation to the Super Bowl stage is already out there.

• Ludacris & Lil Jon

  We’d love if Usher, Jon, and Luda could do it again — and this time at the Super Bowl. Usher has two hits with both artists including “Lovers and Friends” and “Yeah.” Both songs are high energy compared to Usher’s soulful R&B tunes which would be a great overall vibe to his show.

• will.i.am

  If Usher really wants everybody up and out of their seats he definitely needs to send an invite over to Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am. The two made “OMG” in 2010 which served as the fourth single on Usher’s album Raymond v. Raymond. The song is a part of Usher’s “EDM era” which was a popular sound in the 2010s. Fans responded well to Usher’s “OMG” which gave the legend his ninth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 21 Savage & Summer Walker

  To “usher” in his new era, the singer should invite 21 Savage and Summer Walker on stage. Both artists are on his song “Good Good” which will be on his new album Coming Home. The LP will be released on the same day as the Super Bowl which is February 11.

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Author Autumn Hawkins

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• Foxy99
• Music
• Music News

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Jay Z