‘Hurt’ Lil Wayne breaks silence on 2025 Super Bowl halftime show snub: ‘It broke me’
An emotional Lil Wayne finally spoke out on Kendrick Lamar being chosen over him as the 2025 Super Bowl LIX halftime show headliner, which is set to take place in his home city of New Orleans.
The Louisiana-born rapper, 41, admitted via Instagram Friday while speaking in a somber tone, “[Not being picked] hurt — it hurt a lot. You know what I’m talking about. It hurt a whole lot.”
Wayne confessed that he had gotten his hopes up and put the “blame” on himself for “not being mentally prepared for a letdown” and “automatically” thinking he would get the gig.
“I thought there was nothing better than that spot on, on that platform, on that stage in my city, so it hurt,” the “A Milli” rapper added before reiterating, “It hurt a whole lot.”
Lil Wayne addressed via Instagram Friday not being picked as the 2025 Super Bowl headliner. Instagram/@liltunechi
“It hurt a whole lot,” Wayne confessed via Instagram Friday. Instagram/@liltunechi
Lamar, 37, was announced as the next Super Bowl halftime performer on Sept. 8.
The “Not Like Us” rapper said in a statement at the time that the NFL “got the right one” as he wanted to “remind the world” that rap is the “most impactful genre.”
The decision stirred a lot of controversy online, however, as many fans assumed that Wayne and members of Cash Money records would land the spot since they are New Orleans natives.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company has also caught flack since they oversee Super Bowl entertainment.
Kendrick Lamar was chosen as the headliner instead. Getty Images
“They got the right one,” Lamar said after the announcement. FilmMagic
Wayne told fans via Instagram Friday to “forgive” him for the delay but that he had to muster the “strength enough” to speak on this topic “without breaking.”
“I’ma say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love and the support out there,” the “Lollipop” rapper added. “Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back.”
He continued to praise his supporters, calling them “f-king amazing” and said it reminded him that he “ain’t s–t” without his fans.
Wayne admitted he thought he’d get chosen because he is from New Orleans, where the next Super Bowl will take place. Getty Images
“It broke me,” Wayne added in the emotional video. Getty Images
“Like I said, it broke me and I’m just trying to put me back together,” Wayne then said before stating again, “but my God have all y’all helped me.”
Wayne concluded his heartfelt message by saying part of the reason he felt defeated was because he thought he let down his fans.
The “Best Rapper Alive” emcee then said this setback is not stopping him, adding, “I’m working on me and I’m working, so thank you.”
The wave of support for Wayne continued in the comments section.
Wayne has received a lot of support from fans and celebs who don’t agree with the NFL’s decision. Getty Images for 2K
Chance the Rapper told Wayne in his post, “You are the greatest.” Getty Images
Chance the Rapper wrote underneath the post, “You are the greatest and I literally don’t know where I would be without you. Thank you.”
Machine Gun Kelly also chimed in, “love you tune. this the rebirth 🐐🫶🏻🔥.”
Page Six has reached out to the NFL for comment but did not immediately hear back.
