The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing their third straight Super Bowl title against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday (Feb. 9) at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. With deep roots in the big easy, rapper Lil Wayne seemed like a shoe-in for the halftime show headlining slot. The “Drop the World” star’s manager, Fabian Marasciullo, expressed dismay when Kendrick Lamar was chosen instead. It appeared as though the hip-hop star (born Dwayne Carter Jr.) had been snubbed by his own hometown. Here’s why we haven’t ruled out a surprise appearance from Lil Wayne come Sunday.
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Lil Wayne Says He’s Skipping the Super Bowl This Year
Growing up in New Orleans’ historic 17th Ward, Lil Wayne wrote his first rap song at age 8. Just three years later, fellow Big Easy rapper Birdman discovered and signed an 11-year-old Carter. Breaking through in 1999 with his solo debut The Block Is Hot, Lil Wayne is often mentioned in the same breath as Kendrick Lamar when discussing this generation’s greatest hip-hop artists.
Hopping onto his Instagram Stories Wednesday (Feb. 5,) the five-time Grammy Award winner announced he would not attend this year’s big game in his hometown. “Y’all know I’m not going to be there this week… Shout out to New Orleans, but I’ve been working on something very special,” wrote Wayne, 42. “I got something exciting coming for you Thursday, the 6th. Until then… I’m chillin’.”
[RELATED: “Man WTF I Do?!”: Lil Wayne Responds to Kendrick Lamar’s Mention on New Album]
But Is He Really?
After the NFL announced Lamar as this year’s halftime performer, Lil Wayne didn’t hold back his disappointment.
“I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that stage, that platform, in my city,” the “A Milli” legend said in an Instagram Live video. “So it hurt, it hurt a whole lot.”
For a city as steeped in musical history in New Orleans, many fans agreed that the NFL should have prioritized a homegrown halftime performance. “It just tears me apart when I see an ad for Kendrick Lamar playing the Super Bowl halftime show,” ESPN commentator Skip Bayless said. He continued, “Come on, Wayne is New Orleans.”
Lil Wayne not headlining the Super Bowl halftime is … just … so … wrong. pic.twitter.com/r19b5EsAjL
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 5, 2025
So far, Lamar has only announced “All the Stars” collaborator SZA as a guest performer. However, many are still holding out hope for a Lil Wayne cameo—especially after the “Lollipop” rapper revealed that he spoke to Lamar, telling him to “kill it.”
Mannnnn when Lil Wayne pop out as a surprise guest at the Super Bowl they goin be a lot of salty people out here lmao . Man that would be fire glad to hear they spoke and on good terms .
— Donny😎 (@xdnicex22) December 17, 2024
Featured image by ExclusiveAccess.Net/Shutterstock
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