
M.I.A. Accuses JAY-Z Over Controversial Super Bowl Deal
The British-Sri Lankan artist revealed in a recent Instagram Live with Jaguar Wright that JAY-Z, along with Roc Nation, pressured her to sign what she describes as a “modern-day slavery” deal after her infamous middle-finger gesture during the 2012 performance.
The Deal That Sparked Outrage
According to M.I.A., the proposed contract would have allowed the NFL to claim 100% of her earnings indefinitely if she surpassed $2 million in income. She alleged that JAY-Z, who was managing her at the time, advised her to sign the deal.
“I was fighting giants and nobody came to help me,” M.I.A. shared during the livestream. “At that time, JAY-Z and Roc Nation were supposed to negotiate on my behalf. Instead, they wanted me to sign this thing, which was slavery. It was modern-day slavery where the NFL takes 100% of my earnings.”
The Controversy Behind the Super Bowl Performance
M.I.A.’s trouble began during the Super Bowl Halftime Show when she flipped the bird to millions of viewers while performing alongside Madonna and Nicki Minaj. The move violated agreements between performers and the NFL, leading to a high-profile lawsuit. The NFL initially sought $1.5 million in damages but escalated the amount to $16.6 million by 2014.
The legal battle ended in an undisclosed settlement, but M.I.A. has continued to shed light on the ordeal. She claims the entire incident revealed cracks in the industry and the lack of support she received during the legal drama.
M.I.A.’s Take on JAY-Z and Hypocrisy
In the Instagram Live, M.I.A. didn’t hold back, questioning JAY-Z’s commitment to social justice. “You can say you’re for Black power, yet you’re doing that?” she said, pointing to the contradiction between his business actions and his public persona.
She referenced Malcolm X to drive her point home: “If you sympathize with oppression anywhere, you sympathize with oppression everywhere. You can’t be the oppressing force in one place and then cry about oppression while making a billion dollars.”
A History of Allegations
This isn’t the first time M.I.A. has criticized JAY-Z over his role in her Super Bowl lawsuit. Back in 2018, she told Huck Magazine about Roc Nation’s advice during the legal battle: “JAY-Z was, like, ‘You should sign that sh*t,’ and I was, like, ‘No.’” Her refusal to comply, she said, was a stance against the power dynamics at play.
What’s Next?
The resurfacing of these claims has reignited debates about artist management, power imbalances in the music industry, and how controversies are handled behind the scenes. M.I.A.’s livestream adds another layer to the conversation, putting a spotlight on the practices of major industry players like Roc Nation.
As M.I.A. continues to speak out, fans and industry insiders alike are left questioning the long-term impact of such high-profile disputes—and the unseen power struggles that happen behind closed doors.
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