The legendary rapper turned businessman Jay-Z is reportedly partnering with the NFL through his company Roc Nation Entertainment.
The Grammy-winner, born Shawn Carter, will be managing some of the league’s entertainment options, including being a co-producer of the Superbowl Halftime show. The long-term agreement also includes the rapper having a major role in the sport’s social justice efforts.
While speaking of the collaboration, sports activist Harry Edwards stated, “To get someone with the awareness and credibility, as well as the street cred — because let’s not forget that in this situation, that’s important, too — that Jay-Z has is exactly what Roger needs.”
Carter has been a well-known supporter of former 49ners quarterback turned activist Colin Kaepernick, who protested police brutality and social injustice in 2016 during the national anthem. Due to Kaepernick’s firing and blackballing from the NFL, many fans are at odds with the rapper’s latest business venture.
Edwards stated that the rapper shouldn’t worry about the backlash, and focus on doing good work.
“He’ll also figure out a way, artistically, to project the right message to we the people, because you can do a whole lot through art. Through art, you can express things that you can’t say with a bullhorn, but you can get the message through just as clearly. Jay-Z has the intellectual capacity and artistic chops to get that done.”
Nia Primus
