As a part of the decision-makers behind deciding on Dangerous Bunny because the headliner for the Tremendous Bowl 2026 halftime present, Jay-Z would not appear to remorse his alternative. As an alternative, he believes the backlash over the choice is unreal.

The controversy over the Puerto Rican artist being chosen to carry out on soccer’s greatest evening subsequent February continues to simmer.

Following feedback from the NFL’s management on the controversy, Jay-Z has change into the most recent of the present’s organizers to answer critics.

On Monday, October 27, the Roc Nation founder, whose firm helps resolve the headliner of the halftime present annually, broke his silence amid the outrage surrounding Dangerous Bunny.  

When TMZ caught up with Jay-Z, whose actual title is Shawn Carter, in New York, the interviewer requested, “Why are they hating?” to which the rapper replied, “They love him. Do not allow them to idiot you,” hinting that he’s standing by Dangerous Bunny.

The “Endlessly Younger” rapper’s response is probably not stunning, as earlier in September, when the NFL introduced the headliner, he didn’t shrink back from singing Dangerous Bunny’s praises. 

At the moment, Jay-Z mentioned per The Blast, “What Benito has carried out and continues to do for Puerto Rico is actually inspiring. We’re honored to have him on the world’s greatest stage.”

Jay- Z’s response comes a number of days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed the criticisms concerning the group’s choice, emphasizing that the choice was well-considered.

As The Blast beforehand lined, Goodell famous that controversy tends to accompany practically each artist chosen for the coveted spot. 

“I am unsure we have ever chosen an artist the place we did not have some blowback or criticism,” he mentioned. “It is fairly laborious to do when you could have actually lots of of hundreds of thousands of individuals which might be watching.”

 The official went forward to share his confidence within the artist’s capability, saying that his efficiency would function a unifying second the world over.

Earlier than Jay-Z and Goodell’s protection of the “Mia” singer got here in, the Tremendous Bowl reserving had already drawn reactions from a number of notable figures, together with Donald Trump. 

In line with The Blast, the U.S. chief did not maintain again, slamming the NFL’s alternative as “completely ridiculous.” Talking on Newsmax’s “Greg Kelly Studies,” the president admitted he had no concept who the three-time Grammy winner was.

When host Greg Kelly described Dangerous Bunny as somebody who “hates ICE” and infrequently labels criticism as racism, Trump replied, “I’ve by no means heard of him… I do not know who he’s.”

Including to Trump’s clear disapproval, a Change.org petition reported by The Blast known as for changing Dangerous Bunny with George Strait and has gathered over fifty thousand signatures.

Making a case for why the “I Like It” collaborator is unfit to take the stage for the distinguished occasion, the critics identified that his type of music doesn’t mirror true American music.

In line with the petition, Strait’s type, then again, embodies “unity, custom, and the timeless American music that really deserves the 2026 Tremendous Bowl highlight.” 

They additional argued that the forthcoming occasion ought to have fun the musical roots that formed America’s identification, in contrast to the previous ones which have centered on fashionable pop and worldwide acts.