After Thursday’s announcement that rapper Travis Scott will perform with Maroon 5 during the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime show, several people said they were against the move. According to Variety, rap mogul JAY-Z tried to discourage Scott from taking on the gig.
Sources told the entertainment site that JAY-Z, 49, contacted Scott, 26, to discuss supporting Colin Kaepernick, who after taking a knee to bring awareness to racial injustice was seemingly prevented from playing in the NFL.
“I said no to the Superbowl, you need me, I don’t need you / Every night we in the end zone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too.” – JAY-Z, APES**T
JAY-Z and other rappers reportedly rejected the league’s request to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2017. He rapped about turning down the Super Bowl on EVERYTHING IS LOVE, his 2018 collaborative album with Beyoncé.
It is also rumored that other rap acts including Cardi B and Outkast’s Big Boi will hit the stage to perform during Maroon 5’s 13-minute set.
Rapper Meek Mill, who is fighting the systemic prejudice of the prison system, also shared his disapproval of Scott’s NFL support. Hours after the announcement Mill tweeted, “He don’t need that he on fire already! Stay strong in this s**t!”
Scott is touring nationwide for his critically acclaimed “Astroworld” concert series. JAY-Z, Beyonce and Kanye West were spotted at Wednesday’s stop at The Forum in Los Angeles. Earlier in the day, the Houston rapper also performed alongside Kendrick Lamar at the TDE toy drive concert.
Super Bowl 53 will be Feb. 3 in Atlanta.
