Lil Wayne has spoken out about being overlooked for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which will take place in his hometown of New Orleans. Kendrick Lamar was announced earlier this week as the headliner for the event. In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram, Wayne expressed the pain of not being chosen for the coveted spot, stating, "That hurt a lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown."
The rapper felt particularly connected to the event due to its location, saying, "I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that stage, and that platform in my city. It broke me." He took the time to thank his fans for their support, saying, "Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back. I’m just trying to put me back together."
In defense of Wayne, Nicki Minaj took to social media to highlight his significant influence on hip-hop. She stated, "You don't know the half of what Lil Wayne has done for me & others. He was on all of my mixtapes w/no papers signed. This man has literally changed the FACE of hip hop."
The Super Bowl LIX will be held on February 9, 2025, and has become a focal point of discussions around artist selections for the Halftime Show. Kendrick Lamar also recently released a new song amid the ongoing debate.
For the full story, you can view Lil Wayne's video here. Additional coverage can be found on Hypebeast.