Kaylah Walton
The NFL is reconsidering its choice of Kendrick Lamar over Lil Wayne for the Super Bowl halftime show in 2025.
The lukewarm reception of Lamar’s performance has raised concerns among insiders, especially after the league extended an apology to Lil Wayne for not selecting him.
The NFL’s Apology to Lil Wayne
In September, the NFL made headlines by choosing Kendrick Lamar for the 2025 halftime show, but this drew criticism, especially from fans in New Orleans eager to see Lil Wayne, the local superstar.
Responding to the backlash, the NFL reportedly offered a formal apology to Lil Wayne, recognizing the error in not picking him for the high-profile event.
“Lil Wayne should have been our first choice,” stated an insider from the NFL to The U.S. Sun, highlighting the rapper’s deep roots in New Orleans and his desire to perform for his hometown crowd.
Awareness of this miscalculation became evident when one staff member admitted they should have prioritized Lil Wayne.
“It would have only taken a moment to arrange, and Lil Wayne would have been excited to showcase his talent in his hometown,” explained the insider.
They went on to stress that the NFL is now focusing on selecting artists who have strong connections to the venues hosting the events.
“New Orleans is Lil Wayne’s home. Having him perform would have been incredible and would have shown the love from his community.”
The NFL recognizes the error in choosing Lamar and is determined to avoid making similar decisions in the future.
Lil Wayne has expressed his disappointment about not being chosen, sharing during an Instagram Live session that it “hurt a whole lot” to miss performing for his local audience, and he wasn’t prepared for this setback.
On the other hand, Lamar’s performance sparked its own controversies. He performed a song, Not Like Us, containing controversial lines directed at rival Drake. While Lamar avoided using the word “pedophile,” some fans found his lyrics troubling.
Moreover, Lamar donned an extravagant necklace worth $1.2 million, adorned with 515 diamonds, including a lowercase “a,” which many interpreted as a subtle insult to Drake. Sources close to Lamar noted that he was taken aback by the jewelry’s publicity but insisted on freely expressing his artistic message.
As Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance stands out for its daring elements and drama, it appears the NFL has taken lessons from this experience.
The league is now mindful of the importance of selecting performers resonant with the local culture, as evidenced by the strong support for Lil Wayne in New Orleans. Going forward, all eyes will be on the NFL to see if they improve their choices for upcoming halftime shows.
