Jay-Z has helped shape the Super Bowl halftime show for years. Now, reports suggesting the rapper could headline the 2027 spectacle have reignited a bigger debate: which artists deserve a shot at the NFL’s biggest musical stage?
The rumours remain unconfirmed, but the possibility has sparked conversations about the relationship between influence, performance and the power to select the artists who get the spotlight.
Since 2019, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL on its live music entertainment strategy, helping shape the league’s halftime programming. The partnership was introduced alongside a broader initiative involving music and social justice.
“The NFL has a great big platform, and it has to be all-inclusive,” Jay-Z told Variety in 2019. “They were willing to do some things, to make some changes, that we can do some good.”
Whether Jay-Z eventually takes the stage himself remains to be seen. In the meantime, there is no shortage of artists whose catalogues, stage presence and cultural influence could make for a memorable halftime performance.
Here are six Black artists we would like to see headline a future Super Bowl halftime show.
1. Cardi B
Cardi B has already experienced the Super Bowl halftime atmosphere as a surprise guest during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX performance, alongside Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
A solo headline performance would give the Bronx rapper the opportunity to build an entire show around her own catalogue, personality and theatrical energy.
From Bodak Yellow and I Like It to WAP, Cardi has songs that could deliver the kind of high-energy moments associated with the halftime stage. Her sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, could also provide additional material for a set designed to introduce different sides of her artistry.
2. Drake
Drake has a catalogue that spans rap, R&B and pop, giving him plenty of material for a performance built around different eras of his career.
Songs such as Hotline Bling, God’s Plan, Nice for What and Passionfruit could provide a mix of familiar hooks and contrasting moods.
His cultural reach would also make a Drake halftime show a major talking point. Given the highly publicised rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, some fans would inevitably speculate about whether the performance might reference their feud. That remains hypothetical, however, and a halftime show would not necessarily be the place for such a moment.
3. Pharrell Williams — With a Long List of Potential Guests
A Pharrell Williams halftime show could draw from decades of hits he has helped create as a solo artist, producer and member of The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.
A set featuring Frontin’, Happy and Drop It Like It’s Hot could open the door to a wide range of collaborators. Potential musical connections include Clipse, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani and other artists associated with songs Pharrell produced or performed on.
His influence also extends into fashion, making the creative possibilities particularly broad. A carefully planned guest list could turn the performance into a celebration of his impact on contemporary pop and hip-hop.
4. Doja Cat
Doja Cat has demonstrated an ability to combine rap, singing, choreography and elaborate visual concepts into a single performance.
Tracks such as Paint the Town Red, Say So, Kiss Me More and Woman offer different musical directions, giving her room to move between pop, hip-hop and dance-oriented sounds.
Her distinctive visual style could also make the production memorable. With the Super Bowl halftime show offering a limited window to make an impression, Doja’s ability to combine music and theatrical presentation would give a potential performance several creative possibilities.
5. Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator has built a reputation for treating live performances as carefully constructed creative worlds rather than straightforward concerts.
His shows often feature distinctive visual concepts, elaborate sets and storytelling elements. Those qualities could translate into a halftime production that feels different from the traditional medley of hits and guest appearances.
Songs such as EARFQUAKE and Sticky could help anchor the set, while his wider catalogue would give him opportunities to showcase his range as a rapper, producer and creative director.
A Tyler-led halftime show could place visual imagination and artistic identity at the centre of the spectacle.
6. Ciara
Ciara could bring a dance-driven performance to the Super Bowl, drawing on a catalogue that spans multiple eras of R&B and pop.
Her hits include 1, 2 Step, Oh, Body Party and Level Up, offering opportunities for choreography-led sequences and audience participation.
Her performance experience and emphasis on movement could make the show particularly suited to a stadium setting, where visual impact matters as much as the music.
A Ciara headline performance would also offer a chance to celebrate an artist whose catalogue has remained connected to dance culture throughout her career.
Who gets the next Super Bowl halftime show?
The Super Bowl halftime show has become a major cultural event, bringing together music, sport, fashion and viral moments in a performance that reaches audiences around the world.
Jay-Z’s involvement through Roc Nation has helped shape the conversation about who gets selected. But reports about him potentially headlining Super Bowl LXI should not be mistaken for an official announcement.
For now, Cardi B, Drake, Pharrell Williams, Doja Cat, Tyler, the Creator and Ciara represent six possibilities for future shows, each bringing a different combination of hits, performance style and cultural influence.
The question is not simply who has enough popular songs to fill the set. It is who could turn roughly 13 minutes into a performance people would still be discussing long after the final whistle.
