“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown.”
Lil Wayne says not getting the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show ‘broke’ him:
“That hurt a lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown […] I thought there was nothing better than that stage in my city… it broke me and I’m just trying to put me back together.” pic.twitter.com/YYsEItv3JW
His tone carried the weight of the missed opportunity, especially since the show will be hosted in New Orleans, a city deeply tied to his identity and music career.
While there was never official confirmation that Lil Wayne was in the running for the halftime spot, many of his fans—and even fellow artists—felt he deserved the honour.
His Young Money collaborator, Nicki Minaj, was among those who voiced their disappointment, suggesting Wayne’s absence from the NFL stage was a mistake.
God will punish you. Mark my words. The man that has not only pushed his pen the hardest, but gave the game more than 1 hip hop ICON as well on his watch? Represent the RAP game?!?!! The best RAPPER don’t represent the RAP GAME well enough 4u? Black ppl. Wow. If this don’t hurt… https://t.co/ONxZnL4KoO
Kendrick Lamar faces backlash over NFL Halftime Show selection
The announcement that Kendrick Lamar would headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show ignited a firestorm of reactions, with many supporting the choice and others voicing frustration over Lil Wayne’s exclusion.
Lamar, who will be the first solo rap act to lead the prestigious show, has faced criticism from fans who believe the slot should have gone to Wayne, especially considering the event’s location in New Orleans.
Some Hip-Hop heavyweights like Birdman and Master P echoed Nicki Minaj’s sentiments, questioning why a hometown hero like Wayne was passed over.
Fans of both artists quickly took to social media, creating a whirlwind of debate around the NFL’s decision.
However, others argue that Lamar’s selection reflects his current standing as one of the biggest names in music.
Billboard’s editorial team praised the move, with writer Kyle Denis stating:
“If there’s someone I trust to be our first solo rap headliner, it’s absolutely Kendrick Lamar.”
Since then, Lamar has shaken the industry with the release of a cryptic song unofficially titled Watch the Party Die. Check out our lyric breakdown below:
We also broke down why we believe Kendrick hinted at the NFL announcement back in May, in one of his diss responses to Drake. You can watch that right here too:
