Lil Wayne I am very disappointed.
The rap superstar had been actively campaigning to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show in his hometown of New Orleans.
But instead, it was announced last Sunday that another hip-hop giant, Kendrick Lamar, will take to the industry's biggest stage at Caesars Superdome on February 9th.
This week Nicki Minaj Drake co-founds Cash Money Records Birdman New Orleans entertainment ambassador Master P has criticized the choice of Compton, California native K-Dot, who previously performed at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show as part of a Dr. Dre-led hip-hop spree, but Wayne himself has not broken his silence. Instagram Posts Friday morning.
“First of all, forgive me for the delay. I needed to recharge my batteries to get through this without breaking,” said a dejected Wayne, 41, as he sat on the bus in front of a framed poster of “The Making of Carter VI.”
“Thank you for every voice out there, every opinion, every consideration, every bit of love and support. Your words were like arms and supports when I wanted to back away.”
Afterwards, the rapper, also known as Tunechi (real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.), spoke about how “hurt” he was by the decision made by Jay-Z and his company Roc Nation, which produces the Super Bowl halftime show in partnership with the NFL since Jennifer Lopez and Shakira co-headlined in 2020.
“That was tough. That was really tough. You know what I'm saying? That was really tough,” said a visibly hurt Wayne. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for the disappointment and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position, like someone told me that's where I'd be. So I blame myself for that.”
“But,” he continued, “it was hard. It was really hard because I thought there couldn't be any better place than that place in my city, that stage, that platform.”
But Wayne's apparent disappointment was tempered by his deep gratitude for the love he's received from fans and fellow rappers, including Cam'ron, Mace and Boosie Badazz.
“But you guys are fucking amazing,” he said. “I feel so bad that I didn't get this opportunity. And when I feel so bad, you guys remind me that I couldn't do it without you guys. And that's a beautiful reality.”
“So, like I said, I'm broken, so I'm just trying to bounce back,” he added. “But God, you all helped me through it. I want to thank my peers, my friends, my family, my sports TV colleagues and everyone who supports me. I'm so grateful. I feel like I let everybody down by not getting that opportunity, but I'm working on myself… so thank you.”
In February, Lil Wayne confessed that he was coveting a halftime spot at the Super Bowl in his hometown. “I'm not gonna lie, I haven't gotten a call,” he said. On YG's “4Hunnid” podcast“But we're all praying and we're all praying. I'm working hard and I'm going to make sure my next album and everything I do is the best it can be. So I want to make it really hard for them not to look at this boy.”
In a statement announcing his headlining performance at the Super Bowl halftime show presented by Apple Music, Lamar said, “Rap music remains the most influential genre, and I'm here to remind the world why: they found the right person.”
Jay-Z also released a statement in support of the “Not Like Us” rapper winning the prestigious job.
“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” he said. “His deep love of hip hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has the unparalleled ability to define and influence culture around the world. Kendrick's work transcends music and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
