JAY-Z Reportedly Trying to Talk Travis Scott out of Performing at 2019 Super Bowl

After speculation that Travis Scott would be teaming up with Maroon 5 to perform during the Halftime Show at the Super Bowl in 2019, JAY-Z has reportedly stepped in to try and convince the Astroworld rapper to change his mind.

For weeks, Maroon 5 had been rejected by several artists for their headlining performance at the Super Bowl LIII halftime show. According to Variety, Andre 3000, and Mary J. Blige declined invitations to join the Adam Levine-fronted band on stage.

On top of that, thousands of fans have been urging Maroon 5 to pull out with a petition that calls on them to support Colin Kaepernick and disassociate themselves from the NFL. (Rihanna allegedly turned down the opportunity to headline as a gesture of support to Kaepernick over the kneeling controversy.)

Just as it seemed that the group might have finally secured a guest for the big event in lieu of their mission to book someone local, it seems JAY-Z is trying to convince La Flame to drop out of the 2019 Super Bowl performance. According to an update to the same report by Variety, Hov contacted the Houston rapper just hours after news of Travis’ involvement was announced by TMZ.

Variety sources believe JAY-Z’s move is one to support Kaepernick, whose kneeling protest is believed to have cost him an NFL roster spot due to NFL owners disagreeing with the players’ merging of politics with sports.

Cardi B previously stated that she had no interest in participating, but TMZ claims that she and Big Boi are also “in talks” for the concert.

Scott has yet to confirm his potential involvement, but Highsnobiety has reached out to his representatives for comment and will update this story accordingly. The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 3 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.