It’s been about a week since Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner of the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, and Lil Wayne is speaking out about not being chosen for the big game, this year taking place in his hometown of New Orleans, LA.
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While there’s no debate that Lamar is the most influential rapper in the world at the moment, there’s an argument to be made that Lil Wayne’s legacy in music has not only been enormous, but also began much earlier — and beyond that, is intrinsically and unquestionably connected to New Orleans.
“That hurt, it hurt a lot,” he said in a video statement he posted on Instagram. "I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a let down. And for just automatically, mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position. So I blame myself for that, I thought there was nothing better than that spot, on that stage, on that platform, and my city... It broke me, but I’m just trying to put me back together.”
Weezy also expressed, “thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love and the support… your words turned into arms and held me up.”
One of those voices was Nicki Minaj, who almost immediately after the announcement that Lamar, a Los Angeles native, was set to be the Halftime Show headliner, shared her opinion about the decision.
“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?!!!!!!," Nicki took to X to write.
Nicki of course pressed post on a few more tweets regarding the matter. Later adding context to her previous statements, noting that her intent was not to cause divide between the Lil Wayne and Kendrick, or their fans, but to give Weezy the flowers he deserves. Writing, “You can love & respect Kendrick and still love & respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves & respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves & respects Wayne."
Making the situation a bit more complex, over the last few years, Super Bowl entertainment has been overseen by JAY-Z and Roc Nation. And while the NFL, and the city of New Orleans also played a role in the pick, the criticism has been directed at JAY for his role in the decision. So much so that rappers like Fat Joe and Fabulous have spoken out in JAY's defense.
Obviously emotions and opinions are high on both sides of the spectrum. See some of the online uproar and conversations below.