Lil Wayne is keeping it real about the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, the snub he faced, and his supportive friendship with Kendrick Lamar. During the Skip Bayless Show on December 17, the 42-year-old rapper shared his thoughts on missing out on performing at the Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans, especially after Lamar was selected for the coveted spot at the Caesars Superdome.
When questioned about the NFL’s decision to go with Lamar, Wayne explained that he wasn’t “there” yet, and that the selection process was beyond his control. “I’m just not there yet,” Wayne said. He added that his ultimate goal is to reach a level where he becomes an undeniable choice for major events like the Super Bowl. “I want to be in a position where they have ten other choices, but they have to pick me,” he explained.
While Wayne was visibly disappointed by the decision, he made it clear that he holds no ill will toward Lamar. He revealed that he and Lamar spoke after the announcement, and Kendrick expressed his support for Wayne’s journey. “I think he saw how much it meant to me,” Wayne said, interpreting Lamar’s lyric from his song “wacced out murals”, in which he referenced the situation.
In the song, Lamar raps, “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.” While the lyrics could be interpreted as Lamar feeling responsible for Wayne’s Super Bowl exclusion, Wayne took it as a recognition of his hard work and how deeply it affected him. “He didn’t let me down. I think he just acknowledged how much it meant to me,” Wayne clarified.
Wayne also emphasized how their friendship has always been based on mutual respect, and he sent Lamar his best wishes for his performance. “I told him to kill it,” Wayne said. “I’m really proud of him, and I think he deserves it.”
Though Wayne made it clear he won’t be performing at the Super Bowl, his fans can rest assured that his absence isn’t due to any unresolved issues with Lamar or the NFL. Wayne will be traveling overseas during the game, so a surprise appearance is off the table.
Earlier in 2023, Wayne had expressed his disappointment on social media after the news of Lamar’s Super Bowl performance broke. “It hurt a lot,” he admitted, acknowledging that he had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of performing in his hometown but felt let down when it didn’t come to fruition.
Despite his initial disappointment, Wayne has moved forward with a positive outlook. He has learned to accept that the road to success is full of ups and downs. Reflecting on the situation, Wayne said, “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown. But I know that the stage is still waiting for me.”
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