Super Bowl Halftime Producer Says Jay-Z Has Final Say on Headliner: ‘It’s a Decision That Jay Makes’

Get ready to talk about the Super Bowl halftime show some more. During a new interview, Super Bowl halftime producer Jesse Collins was asked about the controversy surrounding Kendrick Lamar‘s pick as headliner and the supposed snub of New Orleans native Lil Wayne.

“We love Wayne,” Collins told Variety when the subject was raised. “There’s always Vegas odds on who’s going to get to perform it. But I think we’re going to do an amazing show with Kendrick, and I think everybody’s going to love the halftime show. I know Kendrick is going to work exceptionally hard to deliver an amazing show.”

He then shed some light on who gets final say, ultimately revealing that it’s Jay-Z who makes the call, with his Roc Nation serving as halftime co-producer. “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!”

With this season’s Super Bowl being in New Orleans for a record-tying 11th time, many expected Lil Wayne to get the call. After some of his peers came to his defense, the Young Money boss posted a video expressing his disappointment, saying not being chosen to perform “broke” him and that he blamed himself for assuming he was going to be picked.

Jay has been at the center of this decision, with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Birdman blaming his complicated relationship with both Cash Money and Young Money over the years as the reason behind the “snub.”

Back in 2019, Jay-Z and Roc Nation entered a partnership with the NFL that would task the mogul and his team with being the league’s “live music entertainment strategist” and to assist in social justice reform initiatives.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.