Onstage and behind the scenes: The history of Beyoncé, Jay-Z and the Super Bowl
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Jay-Z have each made their marks on the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show throughout the years. Ahead of Super Bowl 58, here's a look back at the power couple's impact on the big game.
Beyoncé iconically hit the halftime stage Feb 3., 2013, bringing out fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Beyoncé kicked off the 12-minute performance with an a cappella version of her hit “Love on Top.” The show racked up 110.8 million viewers, becoming the second-most-watched Super Bowl in history at that time.
Beyoncé also graced the Super Bowl stage on Feb. 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, joining Bruno Mars and Coldplay, who headlined the halftime show. Her performance of her hit "Formation" became a notable moment as some politicians and fans, alike, felt it was a statement of Black pride.
Jay Z's halftime takeover
In 2019, Jay Z's company Roc Nation was named the NFL’s Live Music Entertainment Strategist as a part of the NFL’s Inspire Change Initiative. The initiative also focuses on the league’s social justice efforts and was launched following the NFL's controversial treatment of former player Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality during the 2016 season.
Fans may recall that Jay-Z famously turned down the Super Bowl halftime performance back in 2017. He later revealed that decision was based on “principle” when the NFL requested he bring out Kayne West and Rihanna.
The Roc Nation deal raised some eyebrows given Jay-Z's support of Kaepernick. However, Jay-Z insisted the collaboration was meant to address those exact issues. Since then, Roc Nation has certainly brought diversity to the forefront of halftime show.
Months before the collaboration was announced, the NFL drew criticism when pop rock band Maroon 5 was chosen to headline the 2019 halftime performance, despite it being held in Atlanta, a hub of hip-hop.
The halftime show is historically one of the most-watched musical performances of the year. In the past, the majority of the performers have been white. Since 2000, the NFL has had 11 years with diverse headliners and five of those have been in the last five years, when Roc Nation came onboard.
On the logistical front, since Roc Nation got involved, the process for selecting a performer has changed. Prior to the company’s management, the NFL would discuss performing with multiple artists then wait to hear who said yes. Now, the process involves asking one person at a time.
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira were the first to to hit the stage after Roc Nation took the reins, during the 2020 halftime show in Miami. Their performance was a tribute to Latino culture.
During the 2021 Super Bowl, The Weeknd put on a massive show in Tampa, Florida.
In 2022, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Anderson Paak put on a legendary show celebrating West Coast hip-hop.
Rihanna graced the stage during last year’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, giving fans an epic show and baby reveal after a nearly four-year break from live performances. The big game was reportedly the most-watched ever.
In less than a week, singer, songwriter, actor and businessman Usher, who is on the heels of a Las Vegas residency, will take the main stage.
“He’s one of the greatest performers we’ve seen in our time, and I think he’ll take his rightful place,” Jay-Z told Entertainment Tonight.
The Apple Music Super Bowl 58 halftime show will be Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
