Jermaine Dupri says people who’ve been invited to play at the Super Bowl halftime show shouldn’t turn it down, because it’s a major opportunity to address the issues.
The So So Def founder recently spoke with TMZ, and after people like JAY-Z and Rihanna reportedly turned down an offer to perform at the show, Dupri said it was a big mistake.
It was said that both Jay and the “Umbrella” singer turned down the performance due to the league’s treatment of Colin Kaepernick.
“[Let] them use their platform, say what they got to say, let it be heard,” Dupri explained. “Because the more you talk about it, the more to me that changes as far as more than boycotts. Boycotts and marches don’t seem like they work to me, I’m sorry. I think they should send a message while they’re onstage, take advantage of your platform.”
Others who said they wouldn’t play the Super Bowl halftime show if asked include Cardi B, who said until Kaepernick is hired she wouldn’t even consider it.
This was before rumors started circulating that the Bronx rapper may be joining Maroon 5 on stage since they’ll be playing the Super Bowl show, so there’s still a chance she’ll perform.
Elsewhere in the interview, Dupri said boycotts are typically ignored because they don’t bring the same attention as someone who speaks at a huge televised event or someplace similar. He also believes that many celebrity driven boycotts aren’t effective because they don’t typically last long.
“We’re in an industry where you see so many people boycott something one year, and then the next year they’re buddy-buddy with the thing that they boycotted,” he stated.
