Nas Explains His Position On Performances During the Super Bowl Halftime Show

“Leave it to the pros.”

Hip-hop legend Nas has stated that, despite being more than qualified, he has no interest in joining the elite list of artists who aspire to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

The Queensbridge native’s response to a question about maybe playing at the NFL’s greatest stage was surprisingly open in an interview with Complex.

“No, I’m not interested in doing… Nas acknowledged, “I can’t say I don’t want to do the Super Bowl, but I don’t.” Why would I act in such way? Let the experts handle it. Let the experts handle it. I am an expert in my field.

Nas, who is well-known for his profound lyrics and cultural influence, clarified that he feels more at ease watching the Super Bowl spectacle. 

Recognizing the caliber of the event in recent years, he gave recent performers acclaim. He made reference to notable Super Bowl performances by Usher, Dr. Dre, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar when he added, “I want to watch dope halftime shows and that’s what has been happening lately so salute to all of them.”

Many would contend that few are more worthy, even though Nas may not envision himself on that stage. The 52-year-old has remained a major presence in Hip-Hop and beyond with a three-decade career, 20 studio albums, and a legacy that includes hits like Illmatic.

Despite his modesty, the discussion takes place as the NFL continues to seek out more diverse players. 

On February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Bad Bunny will be the main act at the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. This will be the first time a solo act who primarily performs in Spanish takes center stage.

Even if Nas isn’t participating in this one, his influence on hip-hop culture is still quite strong.