Nicki Minaj recently took to social media to express her frustration over the announcement of the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show headliner. While Kendrick Lamar was selected to take the stage, some in the hip hop world, including Nicki, felt Lil Wayne was overlooked, especially with the 2025 Super Bowl set to take place in Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans.
Nicki, who has long collaborated with Lil Wayne, didn’t hold back, particularly criticising JAY-Z, whose company ROC Nation is now live-music entertainment strategist for the NFL. Nicki lashed out, accusing JAY-Z of letting personal issues get in the way of supporting Lil Wayne while praising Eminem’s loyalty during the 2022 Super Bowl:
Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. 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. S–t sad. House NI-GER TINGZ…
Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. 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.…
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024
Nicki pointed out that Eminem, a white man, stood by his friend 50 Cent and insisted on bringing him out during the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show. This was in contrast, she noted, to JAY-Z, who didn’t show the same loyalty to Lil Wayne, despite both being black men.
The debate over Lil Wayne’s exclusion from the Super Bowl Halftime Show has sparked discussions about representation and loyalty in the music industry. While many argue that Kendrick Lamar is a worthy headliner, some fans believe that Lil Wayne deserved the opportunity to perform in his hometown.
Nicki’s position is clear, and her respect for Eminem shines through in her remarks, emphasising how he fought to have 50 Cent perform with him at the Super Bowl. It seems that for Nicki (and, surely, many more) Eminem has become an example of integrity and loyalty in an industry that often sidelines even its greatest contributors.
