Jay-Z is reportedly trying to convince Travis Scott to not perform at the Super Bowl halftime show.
The news comes after Rihanna turned down the headlining slot to show solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who was the first NFL player to take a knee in protest against police brutality in 2016.
It was later announced that Maroon 5 have been picked for the event, with Scott joining them as a special guest. The show takes place at the city’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, halfway through one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
However, Jay-Z isn’t happy about Scott’s decision to perform at the show. Variety reports that Jay-Z was spotted with Beyoncé at Scott’s show in Los Angeles on Wednesday (December 19) and is “attempting to talk Scott out of performing.”
Meek Mill has also expressed concerns over the announcement, tweeting: “He don’t need that he on fire already! Stay strong in this shit!”
He don’t need that he on fire already! Stay strong in this shit!
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) December 20, 2018
Jay-Z has been an outspoken advocate of protests on police brutality in America for years. In 2015, he commended the New York Governor’s plan to improve police relations and earlier this year, he made a surprise appearance at the Trayvon Martin Peace Walk in Miami.
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In September, it was reported that Jay-Z turned down an offer to play the halftime show.
He too rejected the chance to show “solidarity” to Colin Kaepernick. He also dedicated a song to Kaepernick during his performance at Meadows Music and Arts Festival in New York.
It is also claimed that P!nk was approached to headline the event in February but she failed to secure the gig after early negotiations broke down.