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Nicki Minaj is among the rap stars voicing their discontent after Kendrick Lamar was unveiled as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show headliner instead of Lil Wayne.
It was announced earlier this week that the DAMN artist will perform at the event in New Orleans on 9 February 2024.
Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation works with the NFL to select the halftime show performer, said in a statement: “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.”
However, some artists have seemingly called out Jay-Z for choosing Lamar over New Orleans native Lil Wayne, allegedly due to the mogul’s personal feelings about the “A Milli” rapper and his associates.
“Denying a young Black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego,” Minaj wrote on X/Twitter on Monday (9 September).
“Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake and Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50 Cent come out.”
The “Barbie World” rapper added in a separate post: “And btw, you don’t know the half of what Lil Wayne has done for me and others. Wayne had Drake and I on his tour w/no papers signed. He was on all of my mixtapes w/no papers signed.
“This man has literally changed the FACE of hip hop. The hair too. IYKYK. He inspired so many to tat their faces & get locks. Inspired your faves to wanna be a great MC. he never was in this for the money. It’s always been for the love of music.”
Jay-Z has a long-running feud with rapper Birdman, who signed Lil Wayne to his record label in 1998.
For his part, Lil Wayne has consistently cited Jay-Z as his all-time favourite rap artist, and admitted he was tempted to sign with him after fulfilling his first contract with Cash Money Records.
Birdman himself seemed to address the controversy, posting “these n***** p****” and tagging Lil Wayne, Minaj and Drake. “I’m make these n***** respek us [sic].”
“God forbid if Wayne was to leave this earth right now, the culture would be in mourning,” Minaj wrote. “That’s why so many ppl keep saying to give our legends their flowers while they are still around to smell them. Sitting around all day playing games with ppl life & legacy. God ain’t sleep.”
Defending herself from Lamar’s fans, she added: “You can love and respect Kendrick and still love and respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves and respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves and respects Wayne.”
Elsewhere, rapper Cam’ron appeared to call out Jay-Z for snubbing Lil Wayne from the Super Bowl spot.
“Listen, I love Kendrick Lamar… he’s one of the top artists of this generation, period,” he said on Monday’s episode of his podcast with Mase.
“Hate the [Super Bowl] selection. It’s in New Orleans, you don’t get Lil Wayne? That’s what we’re doing? You don’t get Lil Wayne in New Orleans for the Super Bowl?”
Cam’ron and Mase reacting to Kendrick Lamar performing at the 2025 Super Bowl instead of Lil Wayne on It What It Is
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) September 9, 2024
“It’s egregious and it gotta stop.” pic.twitter.com/oH4pKTZocx
He continued: “There’s no reason why Lil Wayne should not be performing at the Super Bowl. There’s one person who’s stopping this, you know, it’s not really a secret.
“Lil Wayne had a problem with somebody before who’s kind of part of the organisation running it. This is payback. Who’s Lil Wayne’s artist? Drake. It’s crazy, bro. It’s ridiculous.”
He emphasised: “Lil Wayne not to be performing in New Orleans for the Super Bowl is egregious and it’s gotta stop.”
Lamar and Drake have been locked in a feud since at least 2014, however, it boiled over this year and led to a series of diss tracks being traded between the two.
Many fans interpreted a remark in Lamar’s announcement of his performance to be a subtle dig at Drake.
In a clip shared from his Instagram, he can be seen standing on a football field in front of an American flag as he shoots footballs out of an automatic passing machine.
“My name’s Kendrick Lamar and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX,” he says in the video. “Will you be pulling up? I hope so. You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos.
“I won’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans. February 9, 2025,” he adds. “Wear your best dress, too, even if you watch it from home.”
Some fans believe that the “no round twos” comment refers to their recent round of diss tracks, with Lamar emerging triumphant following his hit song “Not Like Us”.
In a separate statement announcing the halftime show, Lamar added: “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.”
The Independent has contacted Jay-Z’s representatives and the NFL for comment.
