“Evil Jealous Snake” Nicki Minaj Goes Off On Jay-Z For Selecting Kendrick Lamar Over Lil Wayne To Perform At The 2025 Super Bowl (Commentary)

Lamar, the California rapper who had a public feud with Drake earlier this year, has been chosen to perform at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans this coming February. The selection has sparked criticism from several artists who believe New Orleans native Lil Wayne should have been the top choice.

Many have pointed fingers at Jay-Z, who advises the NFL on its entertainment choices, for overlooking Lil Wayne. DJ Akademiks, a popular podcaster and internet personality, voiced his frustration on X (formerly Twitter): "The Super Bowl in New Orleans, and they let Lamar perform over Lil Wayne... Jay-Z a legendary hater for that."

On a recent episode of his podcast, rapper Cam'ron hinted that a deeper issue might explain Lamar's selection. He suggested that a past conflict between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne could have influenced the decision: "Lil Wayne had a problem with somebody who’s part of the organization running [the Super Bowl]—this is payback. Who’s Lil Wayne’s artist? Drake,” Cam’ron said, alluding to the possible connection.

There is also speculation that Jay-Z’s long-standing feud with Birdman, Lil Wayne's mentor and the founder of Cash Money Records, might have played a role. The tension between Jay-Z and Birdman dates back to 2009 when Birdman publicly claimed that Lil Wayne was a better rapper than Jay-Z.

Although Jay-Z and Lil Wayne have traded barbs in the past, they appeared to have reconciled when Lil Wayne joined Jay-Z’s music platform, Tidal, as a co-owner in 2015. However, Jay-Z sold a majority stake in Tidal to Jack Dorsey’s Block in 2022, which may have complicated their relationship once again.

Adding to the controversy is Nicki Minaj, who shares a history of clashes with Jay-Z's camp. Earlier this year, during her feud with Megan Thee Stallion, Minaj criticized Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, the agency managing Megan.

Commentary via KLIFF WORLD TV on YT |