JAY-Z Reveals Why He's Never Headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show: 'Maybe One Day'

The rap icon was named the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist and helps to produce the Super Bowl along with Roc Nation

With the amount of feats JAY-Z has accomplished, it seems like the Super Bowl halftime show would be on his list — but there’s a reason why he hasn’t graced the stage yet.

The rap superstar, 54, was named the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist in 2019 to help produce the halftime performance, along with his record label Roc Nation, and he explained to Entertainment Tonight in a recent red carpet interview that his involvement is actually why he hasn’t taken on the gig.

“I thought it would be selfish to pick myself too early,” the Grammy winner responded while smiling when asked at Friday’s premiere of The Book of Clarence why he hasn’t taken on the coveted headlining set.

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Although the hip-hop icon revealed he’s been hesitant in the past, he admitted that he has considered playing the iconic show. “Maybe one year. Maybe,” the “Empire State of Mind” artist added.

JAY-Z also told the outlet that he’s looking forward to seeing Usher take the stage at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

"I think that he's going to take his rightful place," the Roc Nation founder said of the R&B star, 45. "He's one of the greatest performers we've seen in our time and I think he'll take his rightful place."

Although the “Otis” rapper won’t be performing at the major sporting event this year, he did recently receive an honor for producing the show.

Related: Usher Thanks ‘Queen’ Rihanna for Her Super Bowl Halftime Show Support: ‘Real Recognize Real’

On Sunday’s delayed 2023 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the musician/entrepreneur and Hamish Hamilton won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a variety special for their work co-directing Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show.

Back in September 2023, Usher was announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show.

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At the time, the Grammy winner shared a statement about how excited he was to take on the milestone performance. “It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” he shared.

“Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen," the "Yeah!" singer added. "I’ll see you real soon.”

Related: Lil Wayne Reveals His New Orleans Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show Goals — and the Guests He'd Consider Bringing Along

As the 2024 Super Bowl marks Roc Nation’s fifth consecutive year being involved with the halftime show, JAY-Z also shared a statement of his own. “Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course,” he said. “Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul."

Shortly after the “U Got It Bad” artist was announced as the halftime show star, he spoke to Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe about how it felt to hear from his "big homie" JAY-Z about securing the gig.

"But when I got this call… he said, 'It’s time, it’s magic time. You know, it's time for you to have that moment.' I'm like, 'What are you talking about?'" the singer/dancer recalled. "He's like, 'The Super Bowl.' I'm like, 'Oh, you ready? Absolutely.'"

"And it was like this was destined to happen," Usher continued. "I think that everything that led up to that moment, going to Las Vegas for my residency for the last two years. The legacy, obviously, that is the music, the celebration of entertainment in that place. It's the City of Lights. You know, it's always been a place where entertainers go and find love and passion, connection to their fans.”

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