Lil Wayne Was Considered For Super Bowl Halftime Show Before Kendrick Lamar Was Chosen

BY Caroline Fisher 13.1K Views
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NFL: Super Bowl 50-Maxim Party
Feb 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Recording artist Lil Wayne performs during the Maxim Party on Treasure Island. Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
During a recent interview, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez revealed why Kendrick Lamar was picked to headline the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In September of last year, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar would be headlining the upcoming Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans. The news quickly sparked mixed reactions from social media users. While some were eager to hear that Kendrick would be performing, and thought the choice made sense, others were outraged. Many believe that the opportunity should have gone to New Orleans native Lil Wayne instead, and Wayne himself later admitted that he felt snubbed.

In a new interview with The New Orleans Advocate, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez revealed that Lil Wayne wasn't off the table. "I didn’t choose the artist, but I do believe that definitely there was consideration [for Lil Wayne]," she explained. Ultimately, however, it was decided “that Kendrick is the right person for the show at this moment.”

Desiree Perez Explains Why Kendrick Lamar Was Chosen To Headline 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show

NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
Dec 10, 2019; Miami, FL, USA; Recording artist Lil Wayne reacts while sitting court side during the second half between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Arena. Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

She went on to react to Lil Wayne expressing disappointment over the choice at Lil Weezyana Fest in November. At the time, he explained that he'd wanted his mother to be able to see him headline a Super Bowl in their hometown. “Aww,” Perez said. “I actually didn’t know he had said that. We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting. We’ve come a long way.”

In the interview, Perez also shared why they ultimately decided to go with Kendrick. “New Orleans is so rich in culture,” she noted. “We have to take into consideration (that) whoever is going to perform can speak to music culture, regardless of age. It has to nod to real music, regardless of the genre. And Kendrick does that. Kendrick’s richness and culture is really a nod to New Orleans.”

About The Author
Caroline Fisher is a News Writer at HotNewHipHop from Chicago, Illinois. She started at HNHH this year, and has since spent her time writing about all that is newsworthy in the world of hip-hop. With a drive for hunting down the hottest stories, she enjoys documenting new developments in culture and entertainment. She also has an appreciation for hip-hop and seeks to cover the most important trends and shifts. She has a Bachelor of Arts which she received at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Having graduated in 2022, she majored in English with a concentration in Media, Rhetoric and Cultural Studies. Specializing all things music, pop culture and entertainment, some of her favorite musical artists include Snoop Dogg, OutKast, and Nicki Minaj. When she’s not writing about music she’s also a fan of attending shows, watching the latest movies, staying up-to-date with current events, photography, and poetry.