M.I.A. Says JAY-Z Advised Her To Sign “Modern Day Slavery” Deal After Controversial Super Bowl Performance

In a recent interview, British rapper M.I.A. revealed that Jay-Z advised her to accept a settlement with the NFL, which she described as a “slave deal,” following her controversial Super Bowl XLVI halftime performance in 2012.

Wikipedia

During the performance, M.I.A. extended her middle finger to the camera, leading the NFL to file a lawsuit against her for breach of contract. M.I.A. recounted that Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation management she had joined in May 2012, offered to assist with the legal situation. She claimed that Jay-Z’s team proposed she sign a settlement agreement and issue a public apology to the NFL. M.I.A. referred to this proposed settlement as a “slave deal,” expressing her refusal to comply.

The NFL’s lawsuit against M.I.A. sought $16.6 million in damages, alleging that her gesture during the halftime show breached her performance contract and tarnished the league’s reputation. M.I.A. contested the lawsuit, arguing that her gesture was a form of artistic expression and criticizing the NFL for what she perceived as hypocrisy, given the league’s own controversies. The lawsuit was eventually settled in 2014, with the terms remaining confidential.

M.I.A.’s revelation about Jay-Z’s advice has sparked discussions about the dynamics between artists and major organizations, as well as the pressures artists face when navigating controversies in the public eye.