Jay-Z has added another prestigious award to his already impressive collection. On Sunday night (Jan. 7), during the 2023 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the music mogul took home the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for his co-directing work on Rihanna’s electrifying Super Bowl LVII halftime show.
The halftime show, which saw the pregnant pop star soar through the air while delivering a medley of her greatest hits, was a cultural moment that captivated millions of viewers. Jay-Z, alongside Hamish Hamilton, played a crucial role in crafting the show’s visual spectacle and flow, seamlessly blending Rihanna’s powerful vocals with stunning choreography and pyrotechnics.
“Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn,” Jay-Z said after Rihanna was announced as the performer for Super Bowl LVII in 2022. “A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”
This isn’t Jay-Z’s first Emmy win. The Roc Nation founder previously won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics for his performance of “Run This Town” with Rihanna at Super Bowl XLIV in 2011. He also received the award in 2022 for his role in directing Dr. Dre’s star-studded Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
But the rap billionaire isn’t resting on his laurels. Up next, he’s gearing up for the release of a nearly 10-minute song with D’Angelo that will feature on the soundtrack to The Book of Clarence.
A recent screening of the film on Saturday (January 6th) saw Hov, one of the film’s producers, and director Jeymes Samuel in conversation with Elliott Wilson. Describing the track, Jeymes Samuel raved, “It’s so deep. D’Angelo and JAY-Z on the same track? 9 minutes, 33 seconds of absolute soulful biblical bliss.”
