Shawn Carter to Debut at Super Bowl Halftime

Shawn Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, will perform at the Super Bowl LXI halftime show in February, the NFL confirmed on Monday. The event is scheduled for February 14 near Los Angeles. This marks the first time the hip-hop artist will perform on the stage of the NFL championship game.

Carter's company, Roc Nation, has produced the halftime show since 2019. He has played a key role in selecting performers for those events. The league did not specify whether he would be the sole headliner. An NFL statement noted that anticipation for potential guest stars would now begin. It added that his wife, Beyoncé, would likely be at the top of the list of possibilities.

The announcement came shortly after Carter performed two concerts last weekend at the Los Angeles stadium. Those shows were part of a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Carter described the moment as the culmination of a long journey. He stated that thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage continued to be a dream come true.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he was excited for fans worldwide to experience Carter's artistry and cultural impact. Goodell recalled his initial agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show. He said he had one specific request: that Carter take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him. The league did not provide further details on the production or setlist.

Carter is the first artist associated with the production company to headline the halftime show in this manner. The previous performers were selected by his team. The February game will feature the NFL's top teams competing for the championship. Carter's appearance coincides with the peak of his anniversary tour. The stadium has hosted his concerts for the past two nights.