Rapper Lil Wayne too to social media on Friday morning (September 13) to share his feelings about not being chosen by the NFL and Roc Nation for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
The 2025 Super Bowl set to take place in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, in February, fans and peers like Boosie, Nicki Minaj and Master P have been vocal on social media, criticizing the decision since the announcement last Sunday. During his live stream, Wayne expressed his gratitude to his supporters but also revealed his deep disappointment over not being able to perform, explaining the delay in his response.
A visibly emotional Lil Wayne said, “First off, forgive me for the delay. I needed time to gather the strength to do this without breaking down. I want to thank every voice, every opinion, all the love and support out there. Your words felt like arms holding me up when I was ready to fall.”
Lil Wayne has been eager to perform at the Super Bowl in New Orleans since 2023. Although he thanked his fans, he did not mention those responsible for the decision, taking full responsibility for the missed opportunity.
“It hurt. It hurt a lot. Y’all know what I’m talking about,” he continued. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown, for putting myself in that position like someone promised it to me. So, I gotta take that on the chin.”
“But I thought nothing could top that stage, in that city, on that platform. It stung, bad. But y’all are incredible. It made me feel worthless not getting that chance, and when I felt like that, y’all reminded me that I’m nothing without you… and that’s a humbling reality.”
Weezy went on to explain the emotional toll the situation took on him and how he’s trying to recover from the disappointment. Still sounding in disbelief, he reflected on the experience:
“It broke me. I’m trying to piece myself back together, but my God, y’all have helped me. Thanks to all my peers, my family, my friends, everyone holding me down on sports TV, and all those repping me. I appreciate it more than I can say.”
Lil Wayne admitted, “I feel like I let y’all down by not getting that opportunity, but I’m working on myself, and I’m working, period. So, thank you.”
Throughout the week, several prominent New Orleans hip-hop figures have voiced their frustration over the snub. Juvenile urged the NFL to step in, while Birdman called for Jay-Z, who heads Roc Nation and the committee responsible for choosing halftime performers, to show more respect for New Orleans. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar who is slated to perform at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show released a track amidst ongoing criticism.
Lamar surprised fans on September 11 with the untitled five-minute track on Instagram, his first since the Drake diss “Not Like Us.” The song, featuring a menacing tone, critiques societal issues, with Lamar expressing disgust for what’s popular and calling out media manipulation. He even references his wish to trade certain people for the late Nipsey Hussle. The cover art features a pair of Black Air Force Ones, symbolizing the track’s aggressive mood. This release follows the announcement of Lamar headlining the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February 2024, sparking debates about Lil Wayne’s exclusion.
