Lil Wayne isn’t holding back his disappointment with the NFL, calling out the league for overlooking him for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which took place in his hometown of New Orleans. In a new Rolling Stone cover interview, the Grammy-winning rapper revealed that the decision to go with Kendrick Lamar instead left him feeling betrayed and heartbroken.
“They stole that feeling. I don’t want to do it. It was perfect,” Wayne said of being snubbed by the NFL.
Despite his efforts to align himself with mainstream pop culture and mingle with major figures like Tom Brady and Michael Rubin, Wayne says the opportunity to represent New Orleans on one of the biggest stages in the world slipped right through his fingers.
Lil Wayne Says NFL Missed Out: “They Got Rappin’, Not Music”
While previewing new tracks from his upcoming album Tha Carter 6 during the interview, Wayne doubled down on his frustrations with the league.
“They coulda had some music… But instead, they got rappin’,” he told Rolling Stone writer Andre Gee. “They f**ked up.”
The “Lollipop” hitmaker was clearly referring to Kendrick Lamar’s brand of socially-conscious lyricism versus his own more melodic, genre-bending sound. According to Wayne, his unique style would have brought a different kind of energy and musical depth to the halftime stage.
“I Tried Everything”: Lil Wayne Opens Up About Efforts to Get Noticed by NFL
Wayne says he intentionally made public appearances and did things outside of his comfort zone in hopes of attracting the NFL’s attention. From attending all-white parties hosted by Michael Rubin to working with NFL legend Tom Brady, he tried everything to increase his visibility in the entertainment and sports crossover space.
More Read
“To perform, it’s a bunch of things [the NFL] going to tell you to do and not do, asses to kiss and not kiss,” he explained.
“If you notice, I was a part of things I’ve never been a part of. Like Rubin’s all-white parties. I’m doing s**t with Tom Brady. That was all for that. You ain’t never seen me in them types of venues. I ain’t Drake. I ain’t out there smiling like that everywhere. I’m in the stu’, smokin’ and recording.”
Wayne says that while he was genuinely excited at the thought of performing for his hometown crowd, the rejection hit harder than he expected.
Lil Wayne Reacted to Halftime News on Instagram: “It Hurt a Whole Lot”
When it was officially announced that Kendrick Lamar would headline the halftime show, Lil Wayne took to Instagram to express his emotions.
“It hurt a whole lot,” he admitted.
Still, Wayne maintained a level of class and professionalism. On The Skip Bayless Show, he revealed that he reached out to Kendrick directly.
“I’ve spoken to him and I wished him all the best and told him [he] better kill it,” Wayne said.
His reaction earned praise from fans who admired his maturity, even amid disappointment.
Wayne Blames Himself for Emotional Fallout
Upon further reflection, the Young Money founder admitted that he might have set himself up for heartache by assuming he was a shoo-in.
“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position,” Wayne shared.
While Wayne never received any formal promise from the NFL, he says the combination of his New Orleans roots, global success, and cultural impact made him feel like the natural pick—especially since few artists have represented the city as powerfully as he has.
Tha Carter 6 Coming Soon
Despite the Super Bowl disappointment, Wayne is focused on the future. During the interview, he played exclusive tracks from Tha Carter 6, the highly anticipated next installment in his legendary album series. Though he didn’t give a release date, the snippets teased a return to classic Wayne energy—clever wordplay, genre-hopping beats, and razor-sharp bars.
Wayne continues to be one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, and fans are eagerly awaiting the full rollout of Tha Carter 6.
Final Thoughts: A City’s Legend Left Out
Lil Wayne’s absence from Super Bowl LIX’s halftime show feels personal—not just to him but to millions of fans who believe he deserved that spotlight. His music shaped a generation, and his ties to New Orleans run deep.
Whether or not the NFL missed a golden opportunity, one thing is certain: Weezy isn’t letting it slide.
“They f**ked up.”
