While Super Bowl Buzz Swirls Around JAY-Z, Roc Nation Is Helping Young Musicians Imagine What’s Possible

As reports put JAY-Z in the conversation for a possible Super Bowl halftime performance, another story is unfolding behind the scenes: young musicians are getting a closer look at what it takes to bring a major live show to life. The reports remain unconfirmed, but the buzz has put Roc Nation and its influence on music’s biggest stages in the spotlight. 

This morning at SoFi Stadium, students from Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) got an exclusive look behind the curtain ahead of JAY-Z’s JAY-Z30 performances, which celebrate 30 years of his music catalog. Their visit offered more than a tour of a stadium preparing for two nights of music. It gave them time with someone who helps shape the sound and scale of the show: JAY-Z’s Music Director, Omar Edwards.

Edwards spoke with the students about his experience working with JAY-Z, the creative process behind building a stadium performance and the lessons he has learned along the way. He also shared advice for young musicians who are still finding their own paths. Then came a tour of SoFi Stadium, where they could see the production preparations firsthand.

For students pursuing music, access like this can make a big dream feel more tangible. A stadium show may look seamless from the audience, but it takes musicians, creative teams and countless decisions to bring it together. Hearing about that process from someone working at the center of it gives students a chance to picture the possibilities for themselves.

Roc Nation is usually referenced through the lens of star power, major performances and the biggest stages in entertainment ie Rihanna, Meg the Stallion and of course Jay Z. But opening a door for young people to meet working music professionals and learn from their experience adds another dimension to that influence. The next generation needs more than inspiration from a distance; it benefits from opportunities to ask questions, see the work up close and imagine a place for themselves in the industry.

JAY-Z’s highly anticipated JAY-Z30 performances take place Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, at SoFi Stadium. Limited tickets for Saturday’s show are available through Live Nation.