Nicki Minaj, Birdman Speak Out About Kendrick Lamar Headlining Super Bowl LIX Instead Of Lil Wayne

“Denying a young Black man what he rightfully put into this game,” Nicki tweeted.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Nicki Minaj performs onstage during her Pink Friday 2 World Tour – New York at Madison Square Garden on September 07, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Live Nation

On Sunday (Sept. 9), Kendrick Lamar announced he has been booked as the headliner for Super Bowl LIX next year, and the big news immediately sparked mixed reactions. The main critique amongst Hip-Hop fans was that Lil Wayne should have been chosen to perform because the big game is being held in his home city of New Orleans.

Although Weezy hasn’t commented about the news himself, members of his Cash Money Records family have unloaded their thoughts on the matter. Nicki Minaj, who has been closely linked to Wayne for the last two decades, took to X to express how unfair she thought the decision was.

“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego,” the Queens emcee wrote, likely referring to JAY-Z. Hov partnered with the NFL back in 2019 to help revamp the Super Bowl Halftime show.

She continued, bringing Drake’s name into the mix. “Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out. A white man. Sh*t sad. House N***ER TINGZ. but it’s GOOD FI DEM!!!!!!! No loyalty ? Welp. then n**gaz will keep son’ing you!!!!! #DTLR #GagCityDC LMFAOOOOOOOOOO GOODAZ FI DEL GAL U AH GOODAZ FI DEM,” she typed.

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Birdman also entered the conversation by mentioning the trinity of Drake, Nicki, and Wayne. “These n**gaz Pussi @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these n**gaz respek us on Gladys [goat emoji],” the Cash Money founder tweeted shortly after Nicki.

The Pinkprint rapper also doubled down during her rant by citing how instrumental Weezy has been for her career and the genre as a whole. “And btw, you don’t know the half of what lil Wayne has done for me & others,” she wrote. “Wayne had drake & I on his tour w/no papers signed. He was on all of my mixtapes w/no papers signed. This man has literally changed the FACE of hip hop. The hair too. IYKYK. He inspired so many to tat their faces & get locks. Inspired your faves to wanna be a great MC. he never was in this for the money. It’s always been for the love of music. #GagCityDC TONIGHT #DTLR.”

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Kendrick announced he will be headlining the halftime show with a special trailer, which included a few shots aimed at Drake. In the promo clip, the Compton rapper can be seen standing on a football field in front of a massive United States flag as he places footballs into a passing machine one by one.

“What the deal, everybody? My name’s Kendrick Lamar and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX,” he says. “Will you be pulling up? I hope so. You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos […] I wouldn’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans. February 9th, 2025. Bring your best dress, too, even if you’re watching from home.” Watch the promotional trailer, directed by his friend and PgLang affiliate, Dave Free, below.

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