For almost six decades, the Super Bowl has grown way beyond just a football game. It’s the biggest stage in American sports. It pulls in millions of views and ranks close to $600 million every year. Fans don’t just tune in for the game; it’s the movie trailers, the commercials, and most of all the iconic halftime show that make the Super Bowl-SUPER BOWL. Over the years, many icons take turns on the stage, which makes their fame skyrocket. The artists are always eager to receive the invitation, but those who don’t, well, let’s say it gets a little unsettling for them.

Lil Wayne wasn’t too happy when he learned that he wouldn’t be performing for the Super Bowl halftime show in his hometown, New Orleans, this year. This led the fans to instantly wonder about how these decisions and choices are made. The Super Bowl halftime show’s producer, Jesse Collins, revealed that it is Jay-Z who gets to make the final call on that.

Why is Jay Z in charge of the halftime show?

While talking to Variety, Collins said that Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, decides who gets to rock the stage on the biggest night in sports. “It’s a decision that Jay makes,” he said. “Since we’ve been onboard with that show, he’s made it every year, and it’s been amazing. He’s always picked right.” Ever since Jay-Z and Roc Nation teamed with the NFL in 2019, he has been the league’s go-to guy for halftime entertainment while also pushing the social justice initiatives.

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For this year’s Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime show on Feb 9 between the Eagles and the Chiefs, the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced that Kendrick Lamar would be performing at the event at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Who Did Jay-Z Pick for This Year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

During the Cowboys–Packers week 4 showdown that ended in a nail-biting tie, the NFL and Apple Music dropped the Bombshell about the performer who will grace the stage of the 2026 Super Bowl halftime. The Puerto Rican superstar, Bad Bunny, is officially headlining to light up the event. He has some big shoes to fill after Kendrick Lamar’s last year’s performance, which not only wowed the critics but also became the most-watched halftime show ever. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown … this is for my people, my culture and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.” 

But let’s be real, after Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement to NFL star Travis Kelce, fans had been buzzing about the possibility of Swift taking the stage. Even Roger Goodell played along, keeping everyone guessing. “We would always love to have Taylor play,” Goodell said. “She is a special, special talent. And obviously she would be welcome at any time.”

Bad Bunny adds to a star-studded history of Latino performers in the Super Bowl halftime. Other artists like Arturo Sandoval (1995), Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas (2011), Gloria Estefan (1992, 1999), Enrique Iglesias (2000), Christina Aguilera (2000), Gustavo Dudamel (2016), Bruno Mars (2014, 2016), J Balvin (2020), Shakira (2020), and Jennifer Lopez (2020) have all performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.