Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar's relationship regarding the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show has been a topic of much discussion. In December 2023, during an episode of The Skip Bayless Show, Wayne, now 42 years old, opened up about his conversation with the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lamar following the non-selection for the highly anticipated event in his hometown. This decision by the NFL not to have the New Orleans native perform and instead choosing Lamar, who is 37 years old, left Bayless, 73, baffled and angry.

Unraveling the Tale of Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show Dispute

Lil Wayne's Perspective

Wayne believes that he isn't at the level yet where he is an undeniable halftime show option. He sees factors beyond his control influencing these decisions. He shared with his managers that his personal goal is to reach a point where there are multiple choices and he is the one who is chosen. "I want them to walk in there and have 10 other choices, and whoever's in charge says, 'No. You have to go with him.' " This shows his determination and ambition to achieve that status.Lil Wayne in Los Angeles in March 2022. Michael Tullberg/Getty

Kendrick Lamar's Lyrics and Their Interpretation

Bayless also brought up the lyrics in Lamar's song "wacced out murals" where he mentioned Wayne and the situation. Lamar raps, "Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down / Whatever though, call me crazy, everybody questionable / Turn me to an esk—, I drew the line and decimals." And he adds, "Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulated me / All these n—-s agitated, I’m just glad they showin’ they faces." Wayne interpreted these lyrics as Lamar seeing how much the halftime show selection meant to him. "I think he saw what everyone else saw; he saw how much it meant to me. I think that’s all he means. Obviously, he can’t control that. So, he didn’t let me down."

Aftermath and Disappointment

After the announcement that Lamar would be performing at the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime show on Feb. 9, 2025, Wayne posted a video expressing his disappointment. He blamed himself for not being mentally prepared for a potential letdown and for automatically putting himself in that position. "It hurt a whole lot," he said. "I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt."As for a last-minute appearance at the halftime show, Wayne said that he will be traveling out of the country during the major football game, making a performance from him impossible.Kendrick Lamar in Los Angeles in August 2017. Steve Granitz/WireImage