American rap mogul Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show, the NFL has announced, putting the man who has picked the performers for the past several years on the biggest stage in American sport himself.

The announcement, made by the league together with sponsor Apple Music and Jay-Z's Roc Nation during Monday night's Cowboys-Eagles broadcast, ended days of speculation. The game is set for 14 February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles.

Goodell's 'one request'

Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL on the halftime show since 2019, with Jay-Z working as a producer and helping choose headliners. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that when the league first reached its agreement with the company, he had made a single request: that Jay-Z would perform himself when the moment felt right.

Goodell said he could not be more excited for fans around the world to experience the rapper's "artistry, creativity and cultural impact".

In a statement, Jay-Z reflected on his career. "From 'Reasonable Doubt' to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey," he said, describing the booking as a dream come true.

Back to SoFi

The performance will be a return to a familiar venue. Days before the announcement, the 56-year-old, whose real name is Shawn Carter, played two shows at SoFi Stadium to close a year-long tour marking the 30th anniversary of his 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt. John Legend, DJ Khaled, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg joined him on stage, AFP reported.

Entertainment outlet Puck had reported last week that Jay-Z had chosen himself for the slot ahead of other names under consideration, including Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. Earlier reports had also linked Harry Styles to the show.

A show that draws scrutiny

The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most-watched musical events in the world, regularly pulling well over 100 million viewers in the United States alone, and its line-ups often spark debate.

Jay-Z, who is married to singer Beyoncé, has won 25 Grammy Awards and is one of hip-hop's most commercially successful artists. The league has not said whether he will be joined by guest performers, though past halftime shows have typically featured surprise appearances.

For Kenyan fans, the show will air in the early hours of Monday, 15 February, East African time.

Photos: AFP via Citizen Digital. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.