Almost a week after Kendrick Lamar was revealed as the headliner for the Super Bowl Halftime show, New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne has confessed that not being selected for the role “broke me.” In a video message shared on Instagram, Wayne expressed his disappointment, stating, “That hurt, it hurt a lot. I thought there was nothing better — that spot, on that stage, on that platform.”
Wayne, who has frequently voiced his aspiration to perform at the Super Bowl, added, “It broke me, but I’m just trying to put myself back together.” The Super Bowl is set to take place at New Orleans’ Caesars Stadium on February 9.
Contention arose online immediately following the announcement of Lamar, who hails from Los Angeles, as the 2025 Halftime show headliner, particularly regarding the absence of Wayne. Nicki Minaj, a protégé of Wayne, was among the first to express her discontent.
While Lamar is recognized as one of the most significant and influential rappers today, Wayne’s storied career dates back to the 1990s when he made his debut as a young rapper with the Hot Boyz. Although he has primarily lived in Miami for years, Wayne remains closely linked to his New Orleans roots.
The situation has been intensified by recent tensions between Lamar and Drake — who was also guided by Wayne early in his career — especially following the release of the provocative track “Not Like Us,” which has become a major hit.
Entertainment for the Super Bowl is managed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, but the NFL and the city of New Orleans contributed to the selection process. Jay-Z has faced criticism for his involvement, prompting support from fellow rappers like Fat Joe and Fabolous.
Wayne opened his video with an apology, saying, “First of all, I wanna say forgive me for the delay. I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking. I wanna thank every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love and support out there. Your words turned to arms and held me up when I tried to fall back.”
He further reflected on the situation, stating, “(Not being picked) hurt — it hurt a lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown, for just automatically mentally putting myself in that position like someone told me that was my position.”
Both Wayne and Jay-Z are regarded as prominent figures in hip-hop, while Lamar and Drake represent the newer generation of artists. Although Jay and Lamar lack the mentoring relationship that Wayne has with Drake, they share a close connection, and Lamar has collaborated with Jay’s wife, Beyoncé.
Regarding Lamar, Jay-Z remarked, “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.”