Jermaine Dupri asked which New York artist besides Jay-Z could headline the Super Bowl, drawing a wave of suggestions.
The question arrives with one central fact already settled: the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Jay-Z as the Super Bowl LXI halftime headliner on October 26.
The game is scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL’s announcement lists ESPN, ABC and Disney+ among the viewing platforms.
Dupri’s prompt is therefore a conversation about musical catalogs and performance potential, rather than an announcement that the NFL is looking for a replacement.
That distinction leaves plenty of room for a lively discussion. What does it take to build a halftime set: instantly recognizable hooks, a strong live presence, crossover records, unexpected guests or some combination of all four?
Jay-Z’s selection follows his long-running involvement behind the scenes. Roc Nation has produced the halftime show since its NFL partnership began in 2019. The official announcement also connects his upcoming appearance with the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
The confirmed headliner can build a set from decades of recordings and collaborations. That does not mean every familiar collaborator will appear. Guest lists and imagined set lists remain speculation until the production announces them.
For a fan discussion, names such as LL Cool J, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys raise different questions about catalog, stage presence and cross-generational recognition. Dupri’s original New York restriction makes the exercise even more specific.
The useful challenge for readers is to name the artist and choose the songs. A great catalog on paper and a tightly timed stadium performance are different creative tasks.
Who is your pick, and which three songs would have to make the set?
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
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