Steve Stoute on Super Bowl Halftime Act, Jay Z, Kendrick, Lil Wayne, Culture & Sports | The Pivot

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"The fact that these artists are getting their flowers, getting a chance to perform on this stage, these black artists..If it wasn't for Jay-Z, this wouldn't be happening. So how can you come down and criticize this man like that? it's beyond me." Steve Stoute sounds off on the recent Super Bowl Halftime controversy.
Steve Stoute is the ultimate American success story. He’s worn a lot of hats-author, entrepreneur, ad exec, and most notoriously, a music mogul. For nearly three decades, he's played a pivotal role at some of the biggest music labels from Interscope, Geffen, and Sony, to working with massive names like U2 and Eminem. Ultimately he's helped shape not just hip-hop, but today's music culture as a whole and continues to find ways to bridge the gap with culture, sports, music and global reach. In this episode, in partnership with Fanatics, Stoute takes us on a wild ride through his experiences in music, advertising, and business and how valuing relationships fueled his journey to the top.
We had to start the conversation off and get right to it- With loud buzz around Kendrick Lamar being announced as this year’s Super Bowl Half-time Act... controversy continues to swirl around the choice and blame being put towards Jay Z, who is on of Stoute’s closest friends and business confidants. Jay, who’s been a major part of choosing the NFL’s biggest act of the year, is taking heat for selecting Kendrick over the hometown star and fan favorite Lil Wayne to headline New Orleans Super Bowl. Steve is blown away by the negativity towards Jay's choice, confused why people aren’t celebrating that Jay has made such strides for culture to be apart of a big event vs making it personal as football and music fans alike are split, and even some big-name artists, like Nicki Minaj, have weighed in with their grievances. Stoute delves into this topic with Ryan, Fred, and Chan, sharing the inside scoop on how the decision really went down, what he thinks of the backlash, and who was originally asked to perform!
Ryan understands this Super Bowl controversy has caused a lot of backlash and ugliness from different areas of the industry but RC says this isn’t nearly the black eye to culture that the continuous fall of P Diddy has stirred up, as more allegations are revealed and Diddy’s recent arrest landed him in jail without bail. Knowing Diddy for a long time, the guys ask Stoute to honestly speak to it all, especially the fallout and if he ever saw any signs or this coming….
The conversation shifts to where things are heading with music, sports, culture and owning media rights as well as creation of platforms controlling the space vs the old days where networks and big companies dictated the industry. While Stoute started in an era where artists were burning their own records and signing deals with record labels to get noticed, he speaks to how the landscape has completely shifted. With social media, consumers can find an artist's music without them needing a label-- and he thinks this transition is beneficial. He's all about artists owning their craft and not "selling their souls" to big companies which is what led him to start UnitedMasters, to help creators keep control of their music, name, and likeness. Fred asks him about the recent Dame Dash situation with and how he sees it all playing out.
Stoute’s family roots and emphasis on relationships has always played a part in his work ethic and drive to make money. Steve breaks down the lessons he learned in the early days of his career and how he was able to navigate big moves, taking chances and never settling for anything less than his goals. The guys soak up the knowledge from Steve as he breaks down the music industry’s inner workings, connect music with sports, providing a front-row seat to the conversations shaping culture and give a better understanding of how key relationships have paved the way for so many to experience a new wave of success.
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[@Static_75]

Y’all must not have attended a lil Wayne concert recently. I love his music but his live performance is terrible. He just goes up with lights and just rap the hooks.

[@jonathanwoods3968]

Not true he raps word for word he doesn’t do like these new rappers who on use the music and don’t perform the lyrics

[@Static_75]

@@jonathanwoods3968 lol he don’t even remember all the lyrics. He even said it in his interviews. Don’t get me wrong I love lil Wayne’s music and I’ve paid to see him multiple times.

[@PlayGirlShani]

@@jonathanwoods3968my cousin saw him live recently & that man was high as hell on stage. Please knock it off. Then his shows aren’t even selling out. People aren’t even coming out in droves to see him perform.

[@nofacenocase2793]

I seen him live in his prime and recently he can’t give a superbowl performance then and now it’s time to be real with ourselves

[@BulkShoeGuyMarketing]

Super supporter Wayne Trump, Super Bowl, February,Black History Month, Black History Halftime .... Make it make sense?

[@arisreign]

the fact that some ppl in the black community can’t just be happy to see another black man that ACTUALLY supports and represents the community all the time is so embarrassing and a big reason why people always talk shit about us and never take us serious. anyways.. i can’t wait to see kendrick perform! congrats kdot! i’m proud of u, u deserve it 💐👏🏽

[@ocampbell1954]

Jay-Z put his faith in the sober consistent artist in his prime. He wasn't putting his reputation in the junkie, inconsistent, etc artist who can't rap 5 seconds without mentioning pussy, drugs, bitches,etc

[@GRIMES-WAY85]

Big facts yo

[@GRIMES-WAY85]

Big facts yo

[@Elite67ty]

As long as they don’t ever choose jelly roll I’m good lmao

[@eliporter3980]

@@Elite67ty lol IDK who Jelly Roll is but shout out to him for that name 🤣

[@virtuoso8642]

The expectation that people set for performers to be from the superbowl city is hilarious. Beyoncé, Gaga, Timberlake, Coldplay, Bruno, Usher, Katy Perry, etc were NOT from the cities they performed in. The expectation never should’ve been for Wayne to perform. Be serious. Also, he simply isn’t a great performer. Kendrick Lamar is a fantastic performer. Bless.

[@matthewgarrett9717]

How has it been since Sean carter has been in charge? Exactly. Where did dr dre and snoop perform again? Oh that’s right the Super Bowl in LOS ANGELES.

[@disheemthomas4553]

​​@@matthewgarrett9717So, since Shawn Carter has been in charge, involves 1 out of 5 chosen headliners being from their hometown. Your logic is incredible.

[@sapphireblu6229]

Naw I don't agree because he was committing these sexal assaults prior to Kim and Andre passing away.

[@Kai-zz8ns]

They not even feeling his energy. He’s clearly capping.

[@Dashone184]

Kind of like voting for the President of the United States? Be careful what you wish for... Not to mention, the majority of Americans can't prove what they choose to believe most of the time. Perception is reality.

[@chrismiller7210]

The deflection in response to the Super Bowl questions was hilarious.

[@TheSouthernAfricanTimes]

Not understanding something does not suggest deflection. Listen and learn. If you're not learning, read a book or ask questions.

[@OVOEightySix]

Steve making excuses for puff

[@justkris3515]

People forget the city chooses who performs as well

[@MartinGonzalez-nm4if]

Really

[@SaintTaris]

They choose from a certain list. They don’t get to choose whoever they want to. Tell the entire story.

[@eleventhhouseofzenith]

Jay z chooses. It's already been confirmed by his business partner

[@thetv3583]

It's been confirmed this is a lie

[@patiencevirtue_]

I’m glad Fred made sure to mention puff was also ingesting entitlement, success n power and abusing those n not just drugs. Cause this dude wanted to sit up there and make it all about drugs as an excuse

[@stevem5332]

Jay picking himself would be conflict of interest. I don't know why Stoute is acting like he doesn't know that

[@kareemmcrae]

Steven. There is no rule saying jayz can't choose himself to perform. If I was jayz I would perform 3yrs straight to possible people off.

[@kedricklewis5391]

I'm from the south, we always preached being independent. why they act like it's a new thing

[@ocampbell1954]

The south got that from the Bay Area.

[@kedricklewis5391]

@ocampbell1954 why you think the south and the Bay are like cousins? I agree with you

[@praveensomashekar2162]

They should allow NFL fans to vote on which artist they would like to see at the halftime show at each Super Bowl.

[@nofacenocase2793]

No they shouldn’t it would be a mess

[@Youafool500]

You want it to go back to old rock and roll artists again ?

[@praveensomashekar2162]

@@Youafool500 Whatever the current fan base wants.

[@Youafool500]

@@praveensomashekar2162 You have no idea what the current fan base is, il help you, it’s not who you think it is. Go and have a look at crowd at a NFL game and see what the percentage is, those are the majority who are putting down the dollars

[@God-Achi242]

Snickers supporting the Pivot is a huge thing because the Pivot Show is huge so where is the Million Subscribers people come on now Million Subscribers before this year is over period

[@dhehighlights3209]

Kendrick to the world

[@larniewhite836]

Now Steve Stout playing crazy like he didn’t know diddy was a menace is just insulting! Lol he playing crazy! 😂

[@BulkShoeGuyMarketing]

Chan & Fred should definitely understand leaving a friend.

[@meicealways5842]

Steve stout what i know about Diddy? Other than him slapping you

[@BulkShoeGuyMarketing]

He ain't Diddy tho

[@andre6659]

Mary J is the Queen of hip hop? What the hell is this dude talking about?

[@MsRiley]

That’s all you took from this interview?

[@andre6659]

Not at all. It’s always great listening to Steve. Ryan was just kind of talking outside his neck trying to prove his point about a dried up coked up Lil Wayne. Mary is one of the GOATS but in R&B not hip hop.

[@danielcrevelle7717]

us as trinidads from brooklyn can relate. My parents had me working at 10 yrs old

[@josephmendez8754]

What Steve is saying is real talk. I’m in the military and I ran into him in France in the summer of 2001. Game recognized game.

[@coreysmith7708]

Carefully worded his words about Puff largely to protect his connections to other famous people he cool with.. goes in on Dame however.

[@josecardoza5793]

He was a diddy party probably 😂

[@k.e.nownlane3879]

I’m loving this one fellas..Forever Live Yours..

[@CJSoBeIt]

Three things i can tell ryan not feeling this dude answers. Why they keep talking about people whooping his ass. He also has not really answered any of their direct questions. He always works his way around the question.

[@BulCool1223]

Damn RJ you trying line him up with that puff question…I ain’t seen him do nothing

[@ante610]

You didn't see him hit Cassie? Where u been at smh

[@leroyf57]

To shut everyone up...have a rock band

[@markpurdy-silva4092]

The ROC shit is lame because Steve and Jay are up and the others are down. So I don’t trust this convo. Tough is not people dieing and losing their chance to provide or change their own life. On the other hand you did one show about the city and hip hop celebrated. And New Orleans has a thought that is what would have been cool also. If not Some other genre why do we need to hear Drake beef music or hip hop again if it isn’t Nawlins. Africa is invested in. Cool. But Jay and Steve only business no matter what

[@PlayGirlShani]

Nothing you said makes any sense. Cry more.

[@kareemmcrae]

Mark Purdy. All parties involved are up. Rich people (lil wayne, nikki, birdman) don't need poor sympathy.

[@roblav23]

Kendrick already performing at halftime with Dr Dre.. I don’t understand why he’s doing it again.

[@509kingz52]

Jay z just don’t want Wayne to kill it like he never did

[@BulkShoeGuyMarketing]

😂😂😂. Wayne Trump kilt himself

[@817akamrtalktoomuch]

This is just cover for Jay-Z's image. The NFL connect was Ryan to the black community, and he sent his best representative to do the work. We all know he didn't choose Wayne because he and Baby don't vibe cuz he tried to sign Wayne when he wanted to leave Cash Money over his bag. Jay also took shots at Baby, saying his wife had more money than Baby in a double untundra line. Steve tried, but Jay a hoe, not just for this. This is just more proof, and Kendrick got love from the culture, but I guarantee you he is going to get booed, and Jay isn't going to get this to go away. You think Diddy is catching hell right now... keep watching.

[@Joker.9.9.9]

Ppl coming out of their hole to hate on Kendrick that's crazy... there's been 10 Superbowl in new Orleans 3 since 2006 nobody said shit but now all of sudden ppl are offended...bet if Drake was the one doing it nobody would've say shit PS: Drake was never asked NOT ONCE to do the SuoerBowl

[@jonathanwoods3968]

And Drake was asked twice and turned it down

[@eleventhhouseofzenith]

You have to be insane to think drake wasn't offered a superbowl

[@eleventhhouseofzenith]

Also its only been 1 superbowl in new Orleans since 2006, that was in 2013. Why lie?

[@arisreign]

even if he was he just looks like an egotistical ass to be randomly bringing it up now instead of when it happened just bc he’s bitter he lost a beef. but he is a man child so it’s to be expected ig. plus if that’s true then he could’ve done it and brought wayne out himself 😂 that whole side is in shambles over this all bc they bitter over a loss bc had it been anyone else i promise u nobody would care

[@bambam6537]

He givin jay z credit for black artists being able to do the HTS, but I guess we gone just forget about Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mary J, Nelly, Diana Ross? But I guess jay z did all that too haha!!!! These cheerleaders are halarious.

[@chrissanders8589]

So you can down here and enjoy our food and culture but not the music and this is something that you can't get anywhere else.

[@geterdolla6705]

From 6 rings to some 4s is the real pivot🤔

[@nothin2personal21]

Amazing interview 👌🏾

[@Dbready513]

Did Drake turn it down because he’s going down with Diddy?

[@BulkShoeGuyMarketing]

Dame money issues got him crashing out trying to maintain cool.

[@509kingz52]

Why RC didn’t budge to talk about Jason ???another Kelce hater?

[@chrissanders8589]

That man is just talking shit. Music in Louisiana need to be displayed pro.....

[@leroyf57]

Stoute the MAN...lil Wayne didn't even perform months ago with the Cash money REUNION!!! HOW ABOUT THAT

[@BulkShoeGuyMarketing]

And he's a trump supporter, the super Bowl is going to have a Black History month half time celebration.

[@jasonburrows5723]

Ryan is the king of the segue

[@CJSoBeIt]

Andre Harrell died in 2020 diddy been doing shit since the 90's. That was a lame explanation.

[@Llindaantonio]

Dame dash minutes please? 🙏

[@leroyf57]

The entitlement from rich blacks is amazing..football ain't Hip Hop..football don't owe Rap nothing..let it be a PoP singer

[@ZacEstes14]

Hows it in New Orleans where dude is from and he isnt performing 🤷‍♂️

[@richupu]

Illawarra streelers jersey vintage 🔥

[@mariomorton1998]

Wayne Was hurt from the other 10 superbowl that was play n new Orleans Louisiana

[@bambam6537]

Dude 50 already told us how Eminem had to pull rank on jay z about 50 performing! STOP HUGGIN JAY Z SACS BRUH!

[@thetunkmaster]

Ask yourself, did it really happen that way.

[@phillipharrison3846]

Did y'all see lil Wayne performance at wrestle mania? Very bad and nasty. Forgetting lyrics no performance.

[@jonathanwoods3968]

He a jayz d rider they in business together if im not mistaken

[@nofacenocase2793]

wtf does that have to do with the interview

[@bambam6537]

That’s a fact

[@Mugzyblac]

KDOT

[@GHDiva]

LOL Worst Super Bowl pick ever. You can see it on these faces. They keep forcing Kendrick down everybody throats

[@jamesmeo9109]

Why is ok for Z to completely blow off any rock/metal acts? It's been completely lopsided for years.

[@mjissowrong]

Respectfully they’ve had 10+ years of those types of acts

[@loriewhalin5853]

I thin it will swing next year. Shaboozy had a great year!!

[@rayshardsmith2546]

That’s like asking bussin with the boys with Taylor Lewan and co to have rappers like Dave East and French on lol TF go to Joe Rogan

[@teddyhart2913]

The pendulum is just on the other side right now.

[@Atlas365247]

Engineered for low level vibrations. Nas said Hip hop is Dead, now NFL is on its way. Girls are killing in flag football

[@ProfitwithRichard]

This dude bias towards Jay it’s clear as day. It’s all good. Wayne still the goat.

[@lordrassoull6216]

If Jay was never involved, would Wayne be considered?

[@ProfitwithRichard]

@@lordrassoull6216 Anyone outside of their circle would be. Jay Z capitalizing off the beef and this folk song Kendrick made that went number 1. You can’t tell me if this beef doesn’t happen and Kendrick never comes out of hiding he would be doing the Super Bowl let’s be real.

[@Justcallmenoon]

On gawd

[@lordrassoull6216]

@@ProfitwithRichard you’re not making sense. Kendrick has enough hits and cultural relevance to perform at the Super Bowl. If Drake won, and had the number 1 record then maybe he would be performing. But he didn’t. He lost. Kendrick won, so why wouldn’t the winner of the biggest rap beef of the year get rewarded? And you did not answer the question. Without Jay z there, NO rappers would be headlining.

[@HARVEY_1988]

@@ProfitwithRichardSo you a profit?? 😂😂😂😂Ok

[@aliciahaulcy4143]

STAX IS A MUSEUM NOW MEMPHIS,TN... love from (662) Clarksdale Mississippi Pride 🫶🫶🫶

[@Blackrain7920]

It should be Wayne don't care what any of you marks say Jay Z a piece of crap

[@Virgoszn23]

Nobody cares wtf you think

[@Blackrain7920]

@@Virgoszn23 your mom care

[@Virgoszn23]

@@Blackrain7920 you really hurt me with that one

[@arisreign]

but it isn’t 😢 just don’t watch

[@Blackrain7920]

@@arisreign it is soy boy

[@bambam6537]

And DAME DASH is the one who always preached INDEPENDENCE! He’s the one who suggested the record label. And tell everyone how Harvey Weinstein OWNS the rights to jay z name and likeness!👀🤦🏾‍♂️ the same dude who DAME DASH tried to tell everyone about long before he was exposed and charged for his Sexual assault charges and sent to prison….You can’t make this stuff up with these people runnin round here putting on Superman comes and lying to people to protect their own interests. Having this dude on the show was a flop. He ain’t did nothin but lie and protect

[@thetunkmaster]

Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug!! (Stop Using!)

[@bambam6537]

And DAME DASH is the one who always preached INDEPENDENCE! He’s the one who suggested the record label. And tell everyone how Harvey Weinstein OWNS the rights to jay z name and likeness!👀🤦🏾‍♂️ the same dude who DAME DASH tried to tell everyone about long before he was exposed and charged for his Sexual assault charges and sent to prison….You can’t make this stuff up with these people runnin round here putting on Superman comes and lying to people to protect their own interests.

[@thetunkmaster]

Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug!! (Stop Using!)

[@bambam6537]

And I guess we’re all just gonna act like DAME DASH isn’t the one who helped jay z get on haha! Like he hasn’t been black balled by y’all dudes. And Fred Taylor is wrong for bringin up dame to this dude like he they don’t know he doesn’t like dame dash for smackin him around! DAME DASH SMACKED THAT DUDE AROUND!

[@thetunkmaster]

Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug!! (Stop Using!)