Kid Rock Criticizes JAY-Z's Halftime Show Picks as 'DEI Hires'

The rocker claims the artists selected for the Super Bowl halftime show are the result of diversity initiatives rather than merit.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Kid Rock has accused JAY-Z, who oversees the Super Bowl Halftime Show, of selecting artists based on diversity initiatives rather than merit. In an interview on Fox News, Kid Rock suggested that JAY-Z's halftime show choices are 'DEI hires' without offering any evidence. The comments have sparked widespread reaction online, with many pointing out the irony given the renaissance the halftime show has seen under JAY-Z's curation, embracing hip-hop, R&B, and global pop in a way it hadn't for decades.

Why it matters

Kid Rock's comments reflect a familiar grievance dressed up in culture-war language, ignoring the reality that halftime shows under JAY-Z's watch have delivered some of the most celebrated moments in Super Bowl history. The debate highlights ongoing tensions around diversity, inclusion, and representation in the entertainment industry.

The details

In an exclusive interview on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, Kid Rock shared his unfiltered thoughts on JAY-Z's role overseeing the Super Bowl Halftime Show. While discussing his own performance at the rival 'All-American Halftime Show,' the rocker said, 'Nothing against JAY-Z, I respect him for his hustle and his music, but it seems like there's a little bit of a DEI hire going on there,' suggesting (without evidence) that the Rap legend was brought in by the NFL as a diversity pick rather than on merit.

  • The interview with Kid Rock aired on February 9, 2026.

The players

Kid Rock

An American singer, songwriter, and rapper who has a history of leaning into controversy, particularly when conversations turn toward race, politics, or inclusion.

JAY-Z

A legendary rapper and entrepreneur who has been involved in curating the Super Bowl Halftime Show, helping to embrace hip-hop, R&B, and global pop in a way the show hadn't for decades.

Laura Ingraham

The host of The Ingraham Angle on Fox News, where Kid Rock's comments were aired.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing against JAY-Z, I respect him for his hustle and his music, but it seems like there's a little bit of a DEI hire going on there.”

— Kid Rock (Fox News)

The takeaway

Kid Rock's comments reflect an ongoing debate around diversity, inclusion, and representation in the entertainment industry. While he suggests standards have dropped, the ratings, social buzz, and cultural impact of the Super Bowl Halftime Show under JAY-Z's curation say otherwise. The halftime show has embraced a more diverse range of artists, reflecting the sound of modern America, which some see as a positive change, while others like Kid Rock view it as a political move rather than a cultural one.