Jay-Z to headline Super Bowl halftime at SoFi Stadium

The man who has spent seven years producing the show from the wings is finally taking the stage himself. Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime performance on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation confirmed the announcement Monday night. Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, joins a select group of artists who have headlined the event. His appearance follows days of speculation about who would fill the spotlight.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated he had one specific request when the league first partnered with Roc Nation in 2019. He asked Jay-Z to take the stage whenever the moment felt right to him. At the start of that partnership, Jay-Z told Goodell, "If this is about me performing at the Super Bowl, then we can just end this conversation now."

The rapper has reversed that position. In a statement, Jay-Z said, "From 'Reasonable Doubt' to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey. Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true."

Jay-Z is returning to the venue where he recently closed his 30th anniversary tour for his 1996 debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." That tour included three sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium, as well as sold-out performances in London and Paris, before the Inglewood stop over the weekend. At SoFi Stadium, his daughter Blue Ivy played piano on "The Story of O.J." and "Dead Presidents." Other guests during the recent run included Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Nas, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Too $hort.

The Brooklyn native has won 25 Grammy Awards from 89 nominations, the second-highest total in history behind his wife, Beyoncé. He became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. Roc Nation will executive produce the upcoming halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton serving as director.

The halftime show has received recent recognition from the Emmy Awards. Bad Bunny's performance in February won a record seven awards, including best variety special (live). Kendrick Lamar's show last year won for music direction. Jay-Z's catalog includes albums such as "The Blueprint" and "The Black Album," and hit songs like "99 Problems" and "Empire State of Mind."