Jay-Z has been recognized for his role in Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl LVII halftime show. The performance took place at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium on February 12 and marked Rihanna’s first public performance in five years.
The show also doubled as the singer’s announcement of her second pregnancy. She opened with “Bitch Better Have My Money” before diving into a medley of hits from throughout her career, including “Where Have You Been,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “We Found Love,” “Umbrella” and more.
Jay-Z and Hamish Hamilton – the latter of whom has been in charge of directing the halftime show since 2010 – won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special. The duo received the award at the 2023 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday evening.
Alongside the directing accolade, Rihanna’s show also won an award for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special.
Separate from the traditional Emmys, which recognizes performers, the Creative Arts awards serve to pay homage to technical achievements and other behind-the-scenes roles. The show finally took place after being delayed for three months due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.