By Solé Scott
Editor in Chief
The modern era of the Super Bowl halftime show continues to have lasting impressions on pop culture.
On Sept. 8, Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the 2025 Apple music Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans.
Lamar is the first rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
Social media was celebrating Lamar being chosen as the headliner until rappers Birdman and Nicki Minaj gave some pushback.
Birdman focused on the fact that Lamar would be performing on the biggest stage of the year in his and Lil Wayne’s hometown and believed the spot should have been reserved for Wayne.
The only time in Super Bowl history when an artist performed in their hometown was in 2022, when Dr. Dre sang at SOFI stadium in Los Angeles.
Before then, no other artist has performed for the Super Bowl halftime show in their hometown or home state.
Nicki Minaj, however, complained that Jay-Z and Roc Nation were choosing Lamar as a pawn in their so-called industry beef.
Minaj has had problems with Roc Nation since she fell out with Megan Thee Stallion, who is represented by the company.
“One n***a took a knee The other n***a took the bag,” Minaj said.
Minaj has even reposted on X her achievements compared to Jay-Z.
Some of the achievements she posted included the most combined charting weeks on Billboard Hot 100.
Drake was No. 1 with 78 songs, Lil Wayne was in second place with 25, Minaj tied in third place with Eminem with 23 and Jay-Z was in last place with 22.
Honestly, this reaction was trashy and full of jealousy. Nicki Minaj and Birdman should have said nothing or waited until the halftime show was over to share their grievances.
Who knows, maybe Lamar was going to invite Wayne as a sign of respect to the rapping veteran.
Lil Wayne went on Instagram Live on Sept. 12 and thanked everyone for their support, expressing his sadness for not being selected.
“I had to get strength to do this without breaking,” Lil Wayne said. “That hurt. Hurt a lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared.”
I can understand Lil Wayne wanting the opportunity to be headliner in his hometown, yet Lil Wayne has not performed at the star performance level in over 10 years. When he performs now, he barely remembers the words to his songs and appears sluggish.
He is also not in demand like he once was. I have noticed that in the past three or four years, the headliner(s) have had number one album or song of the year awards.
At the end of the day, Kendrick Lamar will be hosting the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show, and it will be a night to remember. All the haters need to swallow their pride and acknowledge the decision.
VOL. 64-ISSUE 4
