Kendrick Lamar And Lil Wayne: The 2025 Super Bowl Controversy Explained

Who knew a Super Bowl halftime performer announcement would cause all this conversation?

In a surprise reveal on Sunday, the NFL, Roc Nation and Apple Music declared Kendrick Lamar the headlining act for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, scheduled for Feb. 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It marks the first time in history that a hip-hop artist will helm the highly anticipated performance solo (Lamar previously performed at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem and Mary J. Blige).

The coveted position on the NFL’s biggest stage went to Lamar after an explosive battle against Drake earlier this year, during which the Compton-born rapper emerged as the resounding victor after releasing his chart-topping diss anthem “Not Like Us” and victory lap show at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on Juneteenth (which broke an Amazon Music streaming record).

Initially, fans worldwide erupted in excitement over the league’s decision to have Lamar join a select group of iconic artists who have served as halftime entertainment for decades. However, the tide turned when some questioned why another rap legend, who happens to be a New Orleans native, wasn’t considered for the gig: Lil Wayne.

In a statement from Lamar on Sunday, he acknowledged that he’s the best choice to represent rap at the 2025 Super Bowl amid a year when the genre has seen a surge in commercial success again. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” he said. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

Even Roc Nation founder Jay-Z threw his support behind Lamar, saying, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”

In spite of these declarations, many from the hip-hop world — notably those close to Wayne — have spoken out about why the NFL may have made the wrong choice.

Shortly after Lamar’s announcement, Master P (who was born and raised in New Orleans’ Third Ward) shared a statement on Instagram that read, “Salute to @kendricklamar for performing at the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX.. well deserved, he’s one of the hottest music artists in the world and has one of the biggest songs right now.”

He continued, “As Ambassador of Entertainment in the City of New Orleans I have to agree with the fans that @liltunechi #LilWayne should be a part of this celebration as well. He’s one of the greatest Hop Hop artists alive, still relevant and he’s a New Orleans native. Let’s not miss this cultural moment in the South. Life is too short! We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here. @masterpmasterclass #Godisgood Change starts with us. @nfl @jayz @mayorcantrell.”

The No Limit Records boss’ post set off a chain reaction among rappers who weighed in with similar opinions, like Cam’ron, who said on his “It Is What It Is” web series with fellow New Yorker Mase, “I hate the selection” of Lamar for the halftime show. He even shaded Jay-Z (without explicitly naming him) by speculating that the snub of Lil Wayne could be due to issues the rap rivals had in the past.

The domino effect continued on Monday when Cash Money’s Birdman and Nicki Minaj vented their frustrations over Wayne being overlooked for the New Orleans event. On X (formerly Twitter), the record executive vaguely wrote, “These n****z Pussi @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these n****z respek us on Gladys 🐐.”

Minaj followed suit in a series of X posts, one seemingly aimed at Jay-Z, in which she wrote of her former Young Money boss, “Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out. A white man. S**t sad. House N****R TINGZ. but it’s GOOD FI DEM!!!!!!! No loyalty ? Welp. then n****z will keep son’ing you!!!!!”

Even more have bemoaned over the NFL, Roc Nation and Apple Music’s Super Bowl announcement in the days since, blaming Lil Wayne’s halftime snub on a mix of the three.

To clear up some of the confusion, Jay Cicero, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and a member of the Super Bowl LIX Host Committee, clarified in an email to Andscape, “It is the NFL’s decision alone for all entertainment for the Super Bowl. We found out about it at the same time everyone else did this past weekend.”

Although Lil Wayne previously expressed interest in playing the Super Bowl (on at least two occasions recently), he has yet to respond to the news of Lamar or the outrage over the NFL’s pick.

It’s worth noting that in spite of all the uproar over Lamar heading up the 2025 halftime show, the NFL is likely not to renege on its decision that’s probably been weeks in the making. It’s also important to note that previous halftime show performers have historically not been picked solely based on where they’re from and where the Super Bowl games are held — i.e., Atlanta-raised R&B icon Usher played Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Barbadian singer Rihanna performed at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, etc.

A Super Bowl LIX halftime show headlined by Lil Wayne in New Orleans would’ve been a dream alignment for rap fans everywhere. He certainly has the hit-filled catalog and performance skills to command a 13-minute-long set in front of millions and a local connection that makes him an obvious contender; those facts are undisputed.

However, we can’t ignore how front-facing Lamar has been over the past few months compared to Lil Wayne, who hasn’t dropped a new solo project since 2023 (he did perform at Roots Picnic 2024 in June and is slated to have a Hot Boys reunion at his Lil’ Weezyana Fest this November after nixing it during Essence Fest 2024, per Billboard).

There’s still a chance for Wayne to make a surprise appearance during Lamar’s Super Bowl show — Lamar has been an avid fan of Wayne for years — even after the latter beefed with his longtime collaborator and former label signee, Drake. As big a hip-hop advocate as the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper is, it’s hard to imagine a world where he doesn’t show some hometown love to the rap pioneers who helped pave the way for his ascent.

But for those still up in arms over another year passing by without a Lil Wayne Super Bowl headlining performance, I hate to break it to you — Lamar will headline the sports event next year. Period, end of discussion.