Jay-Z has called on fans to challenge every assumption in this era dominated by artificial intelligence.
The 56-year-old rap icon cautioned about the risks associated with AI technology after online critics claimed he couldn’t sell out shows or that the sound quality at his two-night engagement at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was subpar.
The Brooklyn-born star, married to fellow Grammy winner Beyoncé, addressed the crowd with: “People, you’ve got to stay aware of what’s unfolding in the world, right?”
“There will be talk that nobody was here tonight even though your eyes tell you differently, and there will be claims that the music wasn’t up to par even though your ears say otherwise. You have to understand—you’ve got to question everything.”
“In this world of AI and everything that comes with it… it’s nothing new. We used to call it propaganda. But now the tech has caught up and those who wield it can pull off tricks—loads of trickery. It’s called artificial intelligence because it’s imitating you. It’s imitating us.”
“We have real intelligence, not artificial intelligence.”
He reaffirmed the message later during the show.
“Make sure you keep questioning everything. You feel me?”
“Machines are learning you. You share your swagger, you give them your name, you reveal your business, and they mimic you. They can’t be you. They could never be you, so question everything—especially in these times. Do you vibe with that?”
Meanwhile, Jay is lined up to perform the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show.
The rapper was announced as the headlining act for Super Bowl LXI, set for February 14 at SoFi Stadium, and he described the news as a “dream come true.”
The New York-born artist, who has collaborated with the NFL since 2019 to help curate their live-entertainment lineup, noted in a statement: “From Reasonable Doubt to taking the stage for the Super Bowl halftime, this journey has been remarkable.”
“Three decades of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run remains a dream come true.”
