Rihanna’s Super Bowl

Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance was amazing for many reasons, but Jay-Z is the reason for it all. And I’m going to pose an interesting question about Meek Mill’s career. Let’s dive in 👇

🗽 THE ROC IS IN THE BUILDING

In late 2019, Roc Nation entered into a long-term partnership with the NFL to become the league’s official music entertainment strategist. And ever since, the Super Bowl halftime performances have been next level. We’ve seen Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Anderson .Paak and now Rihanna. The NFL’s halftime show now not only appeals to a younger audience, but also a wider demographic because of Roc Nation’s assistance. But let’s look at the two main reasons for this 📝

• First, they are taking advantage of the moment and thematic opportunities. In 2019, the year before the Roc Nation deal, the Super Bowl was in the brand new Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Instead of using this opportunity to commemorate all the transcendent hip hop artists that have come from ATL, the NFL chose to go with the unlikely and seemingly forced pairing Maroon 5 and Travis Scott (Houston based artist). In 2020, the first year of Roc Nation’s deal, the Super Bowl was in Miami and Jay chose to have JLo and Shakira perform a tribute to Latino culture. Last year, in Los Angeles, Jay threatened to end his partnership with the NFL if Dr. Dre and friends were not allowed to perform. Next year is Vegas so who knows what’s going to happen, but in 2025 the Super Bowl is in New Orleans so will we get a Cash Money/Young Money lineup with Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj?

• Second, Jay-Z can leverage his relationships to close deals better than the NFL could ever dream of doing. Rihanna has declined the NFL’s offer to perform at halftime numerous times due to the way the NFL handled the Colin Kaepernick protests against police brutality. But now, she was dealing with the dude who actually signed her to Def Jam in 2005 rather than Roger Goodell

Jay-Z and Roc Nation have changed the standard for the Super Bowl halftime show and will continue to elevate it year and year out. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the next several years 💿

Dream or Nightmare?

The question is simple - was Dreams and Nightmares the best or worst thing to ever happen to Meek Mill’s career? You can decide for yourself but just hear me out in the video below 🗣

Lastly, here’s 5 songs you need in your rotation right now 👀

• If You Want My Love (Jaye Locke Remix) - Jordan Occasionally

• I Won’t Tell (feat. Smino) - Baby Rose

• Two Sides - Masego

• Motions (feat. Ab-Soul) - Zacari

• Sum 2 See - Eric Bellinger & Blxst

Playlist here as always, enjoy your week fam 💜

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