Lil Wayne finally breaks silence on how Super Bowl LIX halftime show snub left him ‘feeling like s**t’

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Lil Wayne, one of hip-hop's most influential voices, recently revealed his disappointment over not being chosen to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. 

The New Orleans-born rapper, who had his sights set on the performance in his hometown, expressed that the decision “broke” him. This marks the first time Wayne has addressed the matter publicly, following the announcement that Kendrick Lamar would take the coveted spot.

Lil Wayne opens up about heartbreak over Super Bowl LIX snub

In a heartfelt Instagram video shared on Friday, September 13, Lil Wayne confessed, “Forgive me for the delay… First of all, I had to get strength. I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking.”

For Wayne, the opportunity to headline in New Orleans was a dream. “I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that platform in my city, so that hurt. It hurt a whole lot,” he admitted.

The rapper, who has long voiced his desire to perform at the Super Bowl, further opened up about the emotional toll it took on him.

“Y’all are f**kin’ amazing. It made me feel like s**t not getting this opportunity, and when I felt like s**t you guys reminded me that I ain’t s**t without y’all, and that’s an amazing reality. So, like I said, it broke me and I’m just trying to put me back together.”

Wayne concluded his emotional statement by thanking his fans and supporters, acknowledging the outpouring of love and encouragement he received.

“I must say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love and support. Your words turned into arms and held me up when I try to fall back. That hurt. Hurt a lot,” he continued.

“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position, like somebody told me that was my position. So I blame myself for that. But, my God, have you all helped me. Thanks to all my peers, my friends, my family, my homies on the sports television, everybody reppin’ me. I really appreciate that.”

Lil Wayne’s candid remarks came after the NFL, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and Kendrick Lamar announced on September 8 that Lamar would headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.

The news sparked several reactions from music industry peers.

Master P and Nicki Minaj want Lil Wayne for Super Bowl Halftime performance

While some celebrated Kendrick Lamar’s selection, others felt that it was time for a Louisiana native like Lil Wayne to take the spotlight.

Master P, a fellow New Orleans legend, echoed that sentiment in a Facebook post on September 8.

“Salute to @kendricklamar for performing at the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX… well deserved,” he began, before adding, “As Ambassador of Entertainment in the City of New Orleans I have to agree with the fans that @liltunechi_c5 should be a part of this celebration as well. He’s one of the greatest Hip Hop artists alive, still relevant and he’s a New Orleans native. Let’s not miss this cultural moment in the South. Life is too short! We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here.”

Nicki Minaj, who Lil Wayne discovered and signed to Young Money Entertainment, also voiced her frustration with the decision.

Some speculated that her comments were aimed at Jay-Z, who co-produces the halftime show.

In a fiery social media post, Minaj wrote, “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?!!!!!!”

She continued with a sharp critique, “Eminem stood firm on having 50 Cent come out. A White man. S–t sad. House N–R TINGZ… No loyalty? Welp.”

Jay-Z is yet to respond directly to the backlash, but he did share his reasoning for selecting Lamar as the headliner.

“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” Jay-Z said in a statement, as per The Wrap.

“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.”