Lil Wayne Doubles Down The Hurt Of Super Bowl Snub

By Afouda Bamidele on April 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM EDT

Lil Wayne at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
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Time does not seem to heal some wounds; at least, that is what Lil Wayne will have us believe.

The rap icon continues to express his emotions after the profound disappointment that followed his expected performance at this year's Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Lil Wayne was shocked to the bones when the NFL announced that Kendrick Lamar would grace the halftime performance stage at one of the biggest sporting events in the United States.

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Lil Wayne Claimed The NFL Forced Him Out Of His Comfort Zone

Lil Wayne at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'
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The Super Bowl LIX halftime show headliner, Kendrick Lamar, definitely broke the internet by performing his viral Drake diss track, which drew in nearly 133 million viewers. However, Wayne claimed he did not witness the moment happen, not in the stadium or on his TV screen.

The legendary rapper accused the NFL of misleading him regarding his hopes to perform at the halftime show in his hometown of New Orleans. After campaigning for over a year, the rapper expressed his disappointment over not being chosen.

He revealed that the NFL tasked him to become more visible in the celebrity scene, which felt uncomfortable for him. He recounted attending high-profile gatherings, including events with Tom Brady and Michael Rubin. 

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According to TMZ, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Wayne remarked on the pressure to conform and said, "I ain't Drake. I ain't out there smiling like that everywhere. I'm in the stu', smokin' and recording."

He also disclosed that someone from the NFL later communicated directly with him after the Lamar announcement, saying, "We ain't in charge," shifting the blame to Jay-Z and Roc Nation.

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The 'Lollipop' Rapper Is Over His Desire Ever To Grace The Super Bowl Halftime Stage

Lil Wayne performing
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Now, Wayne has decided to focus on other things in his life, ditching his hopes to perform at the NFL event for good.The rapper is preparing to drop his new album "Carter VI" in June.

As for the recent developments involving Drake and the NFL, the Toronto rapper has updated his lawsuit against UMG to include Lamar's "Not Like Us" performance.

This song drew attention when Wayne was seen rapping along on stage, but later expressed that he had no idea there was a competitive undertone. 

"I went onstage and I was singing this song, and they thought I was dissing ... I ain't want [Drake] to be mad at me," Wayne explained, revealing that he was unaware Kendrick was also involved in the performance.

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On how he kept himself distracted while Lamar's performance went on, Wayne explained that he chose to spend his time playing pool with Young Money associate Lil Twist and smoking weed.

He remarked, "Every time I looked, it was nothing that made me want to go inside and see what was going on. They stole that feeling. I don't want to do it. It was perfect."

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Inside Lil Wayne's Statement On Lamar's Pick

Lil' Wayne Settles Lawsuit Filed By Club Bouncer Over Alleged Attack
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As shared by The Blast, Wayne broke his silence after almost a week of Lamar's announcement. He addressed his teeming fans on Instagram regarding his disappointment over Lamar being chosen to headline the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show instead of him.

In an emotional video, he expressed heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support from his fans, acknowledging that their encouragement helped him through this difficult time.

However, Wayne candidly shared his feelings of hurt and disappointment, admitting that he felt unprepared for the setback and had mentally placed himself in a position to expect the opportunity.

Fans quickly filled the rapper's post with an overwhelming display of love and support. Many reassured him, emphasizing that he could never let them down. One fan declared him the greatest of all time, while countless others echoed admiration for his legendary status.

Messages flowed in, with fans expressing their respect and love, and many insisting that he absolutely deserved the recognition. There was a strong sentiment that, despite feeling robbed, his supporters recognized his true worth and legacy.

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The Record Label Executive Credited Public Support For Pulling Him Out Of A Dark Place

Rapper Lil Wayne sports yellow dreadlocks as he arrives to the wedding of rapper 2 Chainz
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Wayne further opened up about his disappointment in not performing at the Super Bowl, especially since the event took place in his hometown of New Orleans. 

"I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city," the rapper stressed.

He expressed how much he envisioned himself on that stage, making the experience even more painful. However, during this difficult time, he found solace in the support of his fans, who reminded him of their importance in his life.

Acknowledging his struggles, Wayne shared that their encouragement helped him realize he was not alone and needed to rebuild himself. Despite feeling like he had let his fans down by missing out on the opportunity, he assured them that he was committed to personal growth and moving forward.

Rapper Jay-Z Made The Final Choice Of Kendrick Lamar For The Super Bowl

Jay-Z smiling
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Jesse Collins, an executive producer of the Super Bowl halftime show, shared that Jay-Z is responsible for selecting the headlining artists for the event.

As noted by The Blast, Collins praised the Roc Nation executive's decision-making skills, emphasizing his impressive track record in making the right choices each year.

The show producer expressed his confidence in Lamar being the ideal choice for the halftime show, emphasizing that the selection process was fair and not influenced by bias.

He acknowledged the excitement surrounding various performers, including Wayne, but believes that "All The Stars" will deliver an exceptional performance.

Collins was confident that Lamar would put in a tremendous effort to ensure the show was memorable and well-received by all.

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