Jay-Z is open to headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in the future.
The ’99 Problems’ hitmaker and his company Roc Nation became the NFL’s live music entertainment strategists in 2019 but he admitted he thought it would be “selfish” to book himself as one of the acts performing during the showpiece game, though enough time has now passed that he’d consider taking the prestigious gig.
He told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: “To get on stage for the Super Bowl halftime show? I don’t know. I thought it would be selfish to pick myself too early, but maybe one year.”
Next month, Usher will headline the segment and Jay is confident the ‘Confessions’ hitmaker has what it takes to pull off a great show.
He said: “He gonna take his rightful place. He’s one of the greatest performers that we’ve seen in our time and I think he’ll take his rightful place.”
Usher – who joined Black Eyed Peas on stage during their 2011 Super Bowl gig – previously admitted he had been waiting some time to get the call to headline the sporting show.
He told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1: “I think being able to see performances from artists like Michael [Jackson], you know, eventually Prince, and then even more modern-day artists… I was like, ‘Man, at some point I need to get a call with what’s going on now.’
“But I’m really happy that I’m joining that short list of legacy artists from my genre who deserve this moment.
“And I’m really happy that Jay-Z and also Roc Nation really put thought into making certain that they could bring to the world this kind of experience. It is definitely going to be a moment to remember.”
The 45-year-old singer has also enlisted the services of his 14-year-old son Naviyd to be his “musical director” for the show, which takes place at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on 11 February.
Speaking on ‘Today With Hoda and Jenna’, he spilled: “The greatest list I received is actually from my son, Naviyd. He is my musical director.
“He has given me a curation of how much time in addition to the songs.”