Rapper Nicki Minaj has publicly expressed her frustration after Kendrick Lamar was chosen to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans, over her longtime mentor and friend, Lil Wayne. The announcement was made by the NFL, Apple Music, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, leading to a wave of backlash from fans who believed Lil Wayne, a legendary rapper from New Orleans, should have been given the honor in his hometown.
Minaj took to her X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, September 9, where she slammed Jay-Z for allegedly snubbing Lil Wayne due to personal grievances. In a series of posts, she accused Jay-Z of letting his “ego” and “hatred” for Birdman, Drake, and herself influence the decision. Minaj questioned why Jay-Z, who holds a powerful position in hip-hop and Roc Nation, would ignore Lil Wayne’s significant contributions to the music industry.
She wrote, “Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego… Lil Wayne! The GOAT! Nola, what’s good?!”
Minaj also referenced Eminem’s insistence on having 50 Cent join his Super Bowl performance, emphasizing loyalty in the industry. She further added that despite Jay-Z’s success, she doesn’t understand why he would act in such a “spiteful and evil” way.
Lil Wayne, credited with shaping the careers of Minaj and Drake, remains a central figure in hip-hop, which fueled the outrage over his exclusion from the prestigious halftime show.
