JAY-Z Allegedly Declines Offer to Headline the 2018 Super Bowl Halftime Show
JAY-Z has had quite year, from bodying what is believed to be his best work with the release of his 4:44 album to becoming a father for a second and third time to acquiring a joint net worth of a billion dollars with his better half, Queen Bey. Given the way the press train has not stopped for the Brooklyn rapper since the top of the year, it should come as no surprise that the NFL was looking towards him to perform at the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show. But although the superstar was allegedly invited, JAY-Z has ostensibly said, “Nah.”
The halftime performances at the Super Bowl hold just as much significance as the game a lot of the time and iconic performances from past halftime shows by the likes of Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga have solidified the star power the show has come to bring and the impact the show hopes to leave its viewers with. With such a legacy, there might be a question of why JAY-Z decided to decline the invitation.
His performance at this past weekend’s Meadows Music and Arts Festivals in Queens told the public everything they need to know.
In an effort to show solidarity toward former NFL player turned activist Colin Kaepernick, JAY-Z dedicated “The Story of O.J.” to the former San Francisco 49ers QB. Kaepernick has been blackballed by the league following his efforts to stand against police brutality in America by taking a knee during the national anthem. “I want to dedicate this song to Colin Kaepernick tonight… I want to dedicate this song to anybody that was held back and you overcame whatever it was,” JAY-Z told the crowd during his Sept. 15 set.
Jay gets it #ImwithKap #jayz @S_C_ pic.twitter.com/AdK7z8qHtO
— KnowYourRightsCamp (@yourrightscamp) September 16, 2017
Though the 2018 halftime show lineup hasn’t been confirmed, there was a rumor circulating that JAY and frequent collaborator Justin Timberlake would perform together. There is also speculation that JAY’s alleged decline to the NFL is a way to further the #BoycottNFL efforts that have been underway to show support to Kaepernick. Whether or not there is any truth to these rumors has yet to be confirmed. If it is JAY’s way of supporting social movements, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time.
Photo Credit: Instagram
