JAY-Z in London in October 2021.Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImageWith the amount of featsJAY-Zhas accomplished, it seems like theSuper Bowlhalftime 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 theNFL’s live music entertainment strategist in 2019to help produce the halftime performance, along with his record label Roc Nation, and he explained toEntertainment Tonightin 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’spremiereofThe Book of Clarencewhy he hasn’t taken on the coveted headlining set.JAY-Z in Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 2024.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicAlthough 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 alsotold the outletthat he’s looking forward to seeingUshertake 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.JAY-Z in New York City in July 2023.Kevin Mazur/Getty for Roc NationOn Sunday’s delayed 2023 Primetime Creative ArtsEmmy Awards, the musician/entrepreneur and Hamish Hamilton won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a variety special for their work co-directingRihanna’s Super Bowlhalftime show.Back in September 2023, Usher was announced as the headliner for theApple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.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.”Usher; JAY-Z.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic, Steve Granitz/WireImageAs 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 toApple Music 1’s Zane Loweabouthow it felt to hear from his “big homie” JAY-Zabout 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 toLas Vegas for my residencyfor 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.”
JAY-Z in London in October 2021.Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
With the amount of featsJAY-Zhas accomplished, it seems like theSuper Bowlhalftime 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 theNFL’s live music entertainment strategist in 2019to help produce the halftime performance, along with his record label Roc Nation, and he explained toEntertainment Tonightin 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’spremiereofThe Book of Clarencewhy he hasn’t taken on the coveted headlining set.JAY-Z in Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 2024.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicAlthough 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 alsotold the outletthat he’s looking forward to seeingUshertake 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.JAY-Z in New York City in July 2023.Kevin Mazur/Getty for Roc NationOn Sunday’s delayed 2023 Primetime Creative ArtsEmmy Awards, the musician/entrepreneur and Hamish Hamilton won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a variety special for their work co-directingRihanna’s Super Bowlhalftime show.Back in September 2023, Usher was announced as the headliner for theApple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.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.”Usher; JAY-Z.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic, Steve Granitz/WireImageAs 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 toApple Music 1’s Zane Loweabouthow it felt to hear from his “big homie” JAY-Zabout 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 toLas Vegas for my residencyfor 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.”
With the amount of featsJAY-Zhas accomplished, it seems like theSuper Bowlhalftime 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 theNFL’s live music entertainment strategist in 2019to help produce the halftime performance, along with his record label Roc Nation, and he explained toEntertainment Tonightin 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’spremiereofThe Book of Clarencewhy he hasn’t taken on the coveted headlining set.
JAY-Z in Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 2024.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
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 alsotold the outletthat he’s looking forward to seeingUshertake 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.
JAY-Z in New York City in July 2023.Kevin Mazur/Getty for Roc Nation
Kevin Mazur/Getty for Roc Nation
On Sunday’s delayed 2023 Primetime Creative ArtsEmmy Awards, the musician/entrepreneur and Hamish Hamilton won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a variety special for their work co-directingRihanna’s Super Bowlhalftime show.
Back in September 2023, Usher was announced as the headliner for theApple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
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.”
Usher; JAY-Z.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic, Steve Granitz/WireImage
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic, Steve Granitz/WireImage
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 toApple Music 1’s Zane Loweabouthow it felt to hear from his “big homie” JAY-Zabout 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 toLas Vegas for my residencyfor 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.”
source: people.com
