Levon Campbell III
Staff Writer
Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner of the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show on Sept. 8.
The 37-year-old entertainer from Compton, Calif., has 17 Grammy wins, is the only rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize, and has already graced the stage in Super Bowl 56’s halftime show alongside an iconic lineup of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige.
In a news release, Lamar expressed his excitement, proclaiming that “rap music is still the most impactful genre to date and I’ll be there to remind the world why.”
This announcement follows his rap feud with Aubrey “Drake” Graham earlier this year, which resulted in a significant win for Lamar, who has continued to impact the hip-hop world.
Since his major label debut in 2012 with “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City,” Lamar has become arguably the most influential and respected rapper in the industry.
Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, founder of Roc Nation, praised Lamar’s artistry and influence in hip-hop and culture.
Carter stated, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
However, Lamar has faced backlash from prominent figures in the hip-hop world, particularly Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., aka “Lil Wayne” associates like Birdman, Nicki Minaj, and Cam’ron who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the selection on Twitter.
The source of their outrage is the belief that Wayne should have been chosen to headline the Super Bowl due to the upcoming event’s location in New Orleans, a city closely associated with Lil Wayne’s musical roots.
“God forbid if Wayne was to leave this earth right now, the culture would be in mourning,” Minaj wrote on Twitter. “That’s why so many ppl keep saying to give our legends their flowers while they are still around to smell them.”
Both Minaj and Cam’ron suggested that Jay-Z, who is partnered with the NFL, intentionally snubbed Lil Wayne in favor of Lamar.
Birdman, CEO of Cash Money, has a well-known feud with Lil Wayne that dates back to 2009.
This has led to speculation that Jay-Z favored Lamar due to the ongoing conflict.
However, it’s important to note that, according to www.BusinessInsider.com, Jay-Z does not solely decide who performs at the Super Bowl. The NFL board, which includes Jay-Z, considers a list of artists proposed by the hosting city.
On Sept. 12, Wayne expressed his disappointment on Instagram regarding not performing at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
In a video shared on his Instagram account, he said, “That hurt. A lot. You know what I’m talking about. It hurt a lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a let-down.”
Wayne added, “It broke me, and I’m just trying to put me back together. I feel like I let all of y’all down by not getting that opportunity.”
According to TMZ, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed enthusiasm about the selection of Lamar as the headliner for the Super Bowl.
Goodell declared, “I’m feeling great about it.”
Several Jackson State University students shared their thoughts on the Super Bowl selection.
Joshua Hall, a senior criminal justice major from Chicago, Ill., mentioned that Lil Wayne is iconic.
“I feel like Wayne should have headlined the show, but how Kendrick changed the culture during the summer is something that should be recognized and I believe Kendrick deserves his spot,” Hall stated.
Damien Teroy, a sophomore bio-medical engineering major from Houston, Texas, emphasized that the Super Bowl involves marketing.
“People should have the decency to accept who the Superbowl chooses because it doesn’t matter what city it is in, especially since they’re a business first,” Terry stated.
Despite the mixed reactions, the choice has sparked conversation and heightened anticipation for the upcoming event, which will air on Fox.
Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to take place on Feb. 9, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.
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