The NFL has confirmed that Jay-Z will headline the halftime show for Super Bowl LXI, scheduled to take place on February 14, 2027. At 56 years old, the rapper is anticipated to bring his most significant hits to the field, drawing from a musical catalog accumulated over more than 30 years. This announcement adds another chapter to the history of apocalyptic halftime spectacles that have turned the event into a major global broadcast.
The Super Bowl halftime show has long been a platform for legendary artists to perform their greatest successes in a matter of minutes. Michael Jackson's energetic performance at Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 is widely considered a turning point that elevated the segment into a massive production. He performed hits including "Jam," "Billie Jean," and "Black or White," alongside children's choirs for "We Are the World" and "Heal the World." Years later, Prince delivered what many international outlets, including Rolling Stone, regard as the greatest halftime show of all time at Super Bowl XLI in 2007. Performing under a storm, he played tracks like "Let's Go Crazy," "Purple Rain," and "All Along the Watchtower."
Other historic moments include U2's tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks at Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, where Bono Vox sang "Beautiful Day" and "MLK" while victims' names were projected on screen. Beyoncé made history at Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 by reuniting with Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams to perform hits like "Bootylicious" and "Single Ladies." Lady Gaga delivered an energetic set at Super Bowl LI in 2017, performing songs from her album "Joanne" alongside classics like "Poker Face" and "Bad Romance," while also making a dramatic entrance by jumping from the stadium structure.
Madonna's controversial performance at Super Bowl XLVI in 2012 featured collaborations with Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and Cee-Lo Green, though it was marred when M.I.A. flashed an unauthorized gesture during the broadcast. The event has also hosted massive reunions, such as the 2001 Super Bowl XXXV featuring Aerosmith, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Nelly, and Mary J. Blige. More recently, a hip-hop powerhouse lineup including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige took the stage at Super Bowl LVI in 2022, with Eminem kneeling in tribute to Colin Kaepernick.
Recent years have seen diverse representations, from Rihanna's hit-filled set at Super Bowl LVII in 2023 where she announced her third pregnancy, to the Latin celebration by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez at Super Bowl LIV in 2020. The most recent halftime show before Jay-Z's upcoming appearance was Bad Bunny's performance at Super Bowl LX in 2026. The Puerto Rican artist commanded the stage entirely in Spanish, celebrating Latin identity and Caribbean resistance, with guest appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
Sources: CNN Brasil.