This year's Super Bowl - where the American Football championship is decided - is being held in New Orleans. The Louisiana city is also the birthplace of Lil Wayne, who's widely considered one of the most influential rappers ever. Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Master P and Cam’ron have all said the hometown hero should have been part of the event. And many of them think that Jay-Z - who has been co-producing the NFL event since 2019, might have something to do with the decision.
Lil Wayne and Jay-Z are both huge figures in hip-hop, and there's a lot of history between them. When Jay-Z released album Kingdom Come in 2006, Lil Wayne reportedly took issue with the rapper claiming he'd stage a comeback because "hip-hop was dead." He's quoted as saying: "Now he comes back and still thinks it’s his house. It’s not your house anymore, and I’m better than you."
Speaking on his YouTube series It Is What It Is after the Super Bowl announcement, rapper Cam’ron, appearing to refer to Jay-Z, said the feud was no secret. "Lil Wayne had a problem with somebody before who’s kind of part of the organisation running it," he said. "This is payback."
Nicki Minaj also made a series of posts on X, appearing to take aim at Jay-Z. "Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego," she wrote.
This might have surprised some people, because it looked like the beef had been squashed by 2015 when Lil Wayne got involved with Jay-Z's music platform Tidal and called him his "idol." He also described Jay-Z as "a real friend" in 2018.
In 2019, Roc Nation - the entertainment company Jay-Z owns - announced it would work with the NFL to "enhance live game experiences and amplify the league's social justice efforts." He also oversees the artists booked for the Super Bowl and produces a half-time show that, with an audience of more than 100 million, is America's most-watched musical performance.
In another post, Nicki referred to Jay-Z’s partnership with the NFL at a time when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was under attack for kneeling during the national anthem - a show of support for Black Lives Matter. She said one "took a knee" while the other "took the bag."
Nicki also appeared to accuse Jay-Z of speaking up when it suited him, in a post that seemed to reference his wife Beyoncé. At the 2024 Grammys, Jay-Z spoke up for Beyoncé never having won album of the year. This week, she was not nominated for any Country Music Awards, despite the popular hit Texas Hold 'Em and country album Cowboy Carter. "Y'all know his next move is going to be to tell y'all a 'certain someone' is being treated soooooo unfairly so that y'all can go back into that trance," she wrote.
Support for Lil Wayne didn't mean that other acts weren't backing Kendrick. "You can love & respect Kendrick and still love & respect Wayne," wrote Nicki. "Even Kendrick loves & respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves & respects Wayne," Nicki wrote.
In a post to his nearly four million Instagram followers, legendary rapper Master P said he saluted Kendrick and described him as "one of the hottest music artists in the world." But he said Lil Wayne "should be a part of this celebration as well", considering his roots and history. "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... We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here."
Nicki also praised Lil Wayne, who's known for helping artists to get a foothold in the industry. "This man has literally changed the FACE of hip hop. The hair too... He inspired so many to tat their faces & get locks. He never was in this for the money. It’s always been for the love of music," Nicki says.
But looking at current streams, Kendrick Lamar dwarfs Lil Wayne, with 68.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, compared to 36.5 million. Kendrick is also known for being one of the most inventive lyricists hip-hop today. In 2018, he became the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music and has so far won 17 Grammy awards.
BBC Newsbeat has requested comment from Jay-Z, Roc Nation and Lil Wayne - but not yet heard back.
Lil Wayne's Legacy and the Super Bowl snub
The selection of Kendrick Lamar as the headliner of the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show has been met with mixed reactions, with many pointing to Lil Wayne's absence. Lil Wayne is a New Orleans native, and many believe he should have been chosen to perform in his hometown. While many have praised Kendrick Lamar's talent and accomplishments, some fans argue that the NFL should have taken advantage of the opportunity to honor Lil Wayne's legacy in his home city.
Kendrick Lamar's Reign and Lil Wayne's Influence
Both Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne have made significant contributions to the hip-hop world. Kendrick Lamar is known for his innovative lyrics and powerful performances, while Lil Wayne has been a major influence on the genre for over two decades, inspiring countless artists with his unique style and lyrical prowess. Both artists have their own dedicated fan bases, and their music has had a major impact on popular culture.
The Controversy Surrounding Jay-Z
Jay-Z's involvement in the Super Bowl Halftime Show has been a subject of debate since he became co-producer in 2019. Some have criticized his partnership with the NFL, citing the league's history of racial injustice and its treatment of Colin Kaepernick. The controversy surrounding Jay-Z's selection of Kendrick Lamar over Lil Wayne has added fuel to this fire, with many believing that the decision was influenced by personal relationships and past conflicts.
The Future of the Super Bowl Halftime Show
The Super Bowl Halftime Show remains one of the most-watched musical performances in the world. It is a platform that can be used to celebrate the best of popular music, while also promoting social justice and awareness. It will be interesting to see how the NFL approaches the selection process for future Super Bowl Halftime Shows, and whether they will take into consideration the historical and cultural significance of the hosting city. It remains to be seen whether the current controversy will lead to any changes in the future.
The 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about events of the year, with the controversy over Lil Wayne's absence only adding to the hype. It will be exciting to see how Kendrick Lamar takes the stage and whether he will address the controversy surrounding his selection directly. The event will also provide a platform for ongoing conversations about the role of race and social justice in the NFL and in popular culture as a whole.
It remains to be seen whether this controversy will result in any changes to the way the NFL selects artists for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. However, it is clear that this event will continue to be a lightning rod for discussions about music, culture, and social justice for years to come.
