The NFL’s announcement of Kendrick Lamar as the headliner for the Super Bowl 59 halftime show sparked excitement among fans, but not everyone in the music world is thrilled with the choice. Some of the biggest names in the rap community have voiced their displeasure, notably Nicki Minaj, who believes another artist—Lil Wayne—was snubbed for the coveted performance slot.
Kendrick Lamar, the Compton-born rapper who has had a landmark year after his public feud with Drake and subsequent wins, was selected to perform at the halftime show in New Orleans. The decision has been met with mixed reactions, particularly because New Orleans is the hometown of Lil Wayne, a rap legend and a favorite among fans in the region. Many expected Wayne to take center stage at such a significant event in his own city.
Nicki Minaj, a close friend and collaborator of Lil Wayne, didn’t hold back her frustration. She took to social media, criticizing Jay-Z, who has a role in curating the halftime shows as part of the NFL’s partnership with Roc Nation. Minaj’s anger stemmed from the belief that Jay-Z’s decision to exclude Lil Wayne was personal rather than based on merit.
“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego,” Minaj wrote in a scathing post. “Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!!”
Minaj continued, referencing past Super Bowl performers like Eminem, who insisted on having 50 Cent join him on stage during the Super Bowl 56 halftime show. “Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out,” she added, implying that Lil Wayne deserved the same treatment from Jay-Z.
She didn’t stop there, further attacking Jay-Z with, “One [n-word] took a knee, the other [n-word] took the bag. He gon get you [n-words] in line every [expletive] time.”
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Minaj wasn’t the only one upset by the decision. Fellow rapper Cam’ron also voiced his disappointment, pointing out Lil Wayne’s longstanding influence and significance in the rap world, particularly in New Orleans.
“There’s no reason why Lil Wayne shouldn’t be performing at the Super Bowl,” Cam’ron said. “It’s not really a secret. Lil Wayne had a problem with somebody before who’s kind of part of the organization running it. This is payback.”
Cam’ron emphasized Lil Wayne’s influence in rap, noting that his absence was especially egregious given his ties to artists like Drake, who is also one of the biggest names in the industry. “Lil Wayne not performing in New Orleans for the Super Bowl is egregious, and it’s gotta stop,” Cam’ron added.
The Super Bowl 59 halftime show, which is set to take place on February 9 in New Orleans, is already shaping up to be a major event, with Kendrick Lamar’s performance highly anticipated. However, the backlash from key figures in the rap community has sparked a debate about who should have been given the spotlight in a city that is deeply connected to hip-hop culture.
Lil Wayne, often considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, has yet to publicly comment on the controversy, but with voices like Nicki Minaj and Cam’ron advocating on his behalf, the conversation about the Super Bowl halftime show’s decision-making process is far from over.
The tension highlights the ongoing complexities behind the scenes in selecting performers for one of the most-watched events in the world, especially when it involves artists with deep personal and professional histories.
