Taylor Swift may be one of the biggest names in the NFL’s orbit right now, but Charlamagne Tha God is thrilled that she won’t be headlining this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. The announcement over the weekend confirmed that Kendrick Lamar will take center stage for the highly anticipated performance in New Orleans, and Charlamagne couldn’t be happier.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, in collaboration with the NFL, is once again producing the halftime show for the sixth consecutive season. While some rap fans were disappointed that New Orleans native Lil Wayne wasn’t chosen to perform in his hometown, Charlamagne is simply relieved that the honor didn’t go to Swift.
Speaking on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne expressed his gratitude for Lamar being selected over the pop star. “All of y’all [who are] upset, just remember one thing that we all can be collectively happy about as a culture. Just be happy we didn’t get Taylor Swift,” he said. “Thank you Roc Nation for blocking Taylor Swift!”
Charlamagne went on to argue that there’s been a push for Swift to headline the Super Bowl halftime show for years. “Every year for the last four, five years, I bet you they’ve been trying to push Taylor Swift down our throats,” he added. “And Roc Nation said, ‘No, we going black!'”
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Indeed, since Roc Nation entered its partnership with the NFL in 2019 as the league’s official “live music entertainment strategists,” the Super Bowl halftime show has prominently featured legendary Black artists. Usher headlined last year’s show, following Rihanna in 2023 and a 2022 performance that included Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Lamar, and Eminem.
The Weeknd took the stage in 2021, continuing the trend of diverse representation on one of the biggest stages in entertainment.
While Charlamagne celebrated the decision to keep Swift off the Super Bowl stage, not everyone shares his view. His Breakfast Club co-host, Loren LoRosa, defended Swift, pointing out her immense popularity and influence on the NFL. “She’s carrying the NFL on her back,” LoRosa said, referring to Swift’s current cultural dominance, particularly with her close ties to NFL star Travis Kelce, which have put her squarely in the spotlight within the football world.
Despite LoRosa’s defense and the undeniable appeal of Swift, “Swifties” will have to wait at least another year to see their idol perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. For now, rap will once again take center stage with Kendrick Lamar leading the charge.
Lamar, who has consistently pushed boundaries and raised the bar with his music, expressed his excitement for the opportunity in a statement following the announcement. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why,” Lamar said. “They got the right one.”
With the Super Bowl set for February 9, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Lamar’s performance promises to be another memorable moment in a long line of groundbreaking halftime shows under Roc Nation’s guidance.
While fans of Taylor Swift may be disappointed, Charlamagne Tha God and many in the hip-hop community are celebrating yet another year where rap continues to dominate the cultural landscape on one of the biggest nights in sports.
