Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Sunday left many viewers feeling disappointed.
Although Lamar performed several of his biggest hits, including his diss track 'Not Like Us' aimed at Drake, fans expressed their dissatisfaction on social media. While Lamar's performance was at the center of the critique, an unexpected figure emerged as the focal point of the backlash: Jay-Z.
This is so unbelievably awful. pic.twitter.com/bUV4BoT9N1
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 10, 2025
Jay-Z, the legendary rapper and business mogul, has played a major role in shaping the Super Bowl halftime show since 2019. That year, his record label and talent agency, Roc Nation, entered into a partnership with the NFL, giving Jay-Z the title of "live music entertainment strategist." This role grants him the final say on the selection of performers for the halftime show, and fans quickly took to social media to voice their frustration, not only with Lamar’s performance but also with Jay-Z’s influence over the event.
The 55-year-old rapper was spotted on the field before the game with his daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi, further highlighting his prominent presence in the NFL’s entertainment decisions. Fans expressed disappointment not only with Lamar’s performance but also with the choices made by Jay-Z and Roc Nation in putting together the show.
Since 2019, Jay-Z has been the mastermind behind the Super Bowl halftime show, deciding who takes the stage every year as part of his role with the NFL.
— Brandon Johnson (@Patriot_45_) February 10, 2025
He needs fired after Lemars' performance!
#JayZ #NFL #SuperBowl #SuperBowlHalftimeShow pic.twitter.com/9bQaGvBT5e
One of the major sources of frustration came from the fact that Jay-Z passed over Lil Wayne for the 2025 halftime show. Back in September 2024, Wayne revealed in an interview that being passed over "broke him," as he had hoped to perform at the event. However, it remains unclear whether Wayne was seriously considered for the performance, as his commercial and critical peaks are now behind him.
We were robbed of this Superbowl halftime show this year because jay z is a bitch. pic.twitter.com/OCic5byWXj
— Christina Soft👱🏾♀️ (@endlesslysoft) February 10, 2025
Over the years, the NFL has increasingly embraced a more commercialized approach to its halftime show, with rappers and high-profile entertainers taking center stage. Jay-Z’s partnership with the NFL has been credited with pushing hip-hop into the limelight at the Super Bowl. However, this move has sparked some controversy, particularly among those who feel that the essence of the show has been altered.
In 2019, Jay-Z announced the collaboration between Roc Nation and the NFL, positioning the partnership as a way to continue the fight for racial justice and police reform. This effort was seen as a continuation of the work led by Colin Kaepernick, who was exiled from the NFL after kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice. However, Jay-Z distanced himself from Kaepernick’s kneeling stance, focusing instead on finding actionable solutions to the issues Kaepernick had raised.
As part of his agreement with the NFL, Roc Nation has been responsible for co-producing and consulting on entertainment for the Super Bowl, including the halftime show. The company represents a roster of high-profile artists, including Rihanna, DJ Khaled, and Lil Uzi Vert, and its involvement has played a significant role in bringing hip-hop artists to the forefront of the Super Bowl stage. While Jay-Z’s contributions have been praised for elevating hip-hop’s presence, his role in the 2025 halftime show has also come under scrutiny after fans were left underwhelmed by the performance.
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