Jay-Z Blames AI for Backlash Over Reportedly Selecting Himself for Super Bowl Halftime Show
The rapper, who has a deal with the NFL to oversee the music spectacle, addressed criticism during a concert by questioning the nature of online information.
Jay-Z has addressed criticism surrounding reports that he has chosen himself to perform the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, attributing the backlash to artificial intelligence. The rapper, who has a $5 million-a-year contract with the NFL to curate the musical performances, reportedly selected himself for the February 14 show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Roc Nation and the NFL have declined to comment on the report, with the league stating that official confirmation is only provided when an announcement is made. This is not the first time rumors have surfaced about Jay-Z's potential involvement; in September, reports suggested he was considering himself, which Roc Nation and the NFL denied at the time. Previous speculation had included artists like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and Harry Styles.
During a recent concert at SoFi Stadium, Jay-Z spoke out against what he described as a "world of AI and everything." He stated, "It's been going on forever, right? We called it propaganda before, but now with the technology, it's caught up. It's a beautiful trick. A lot of tricknology. It's called artificial intelligence 'cause it's been against you guys."
He continued, "It's been against us. We got real intelligence, not artificial intelligence. We feel, right? This concert tonight, we felt. When Stupid Drake came out, we felt that s***, correct? Make sure you question everything you feel. Machines are learning you. You tell them your swag, you tell them your name, you tell them anything, and then it mimics you. Can't be you."
Jay-Z has been responsible for selecting performers for the halftime show since signing his deal in 2019, with artists like Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny having headlined. While Jay-Z has never performed the show himself, his wife, Beyoncé, headlined in 2013 and appeared as a guest in 2016. His last album, "4:44," was released in 2017.
The halftime show produced by Jay-Z for Bad Bunny last year was notable for being the first not performed entirely in English and sparked considerable debate. Jay-Z previously told GQ that his aim was to create a more balanced representation of popular music, emphasizing that he selects "the number one most streamed artist in the world."