Kendrick Lamar has responded to Lil Wayne’s emotional reaction to not being selected as the headliner for the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. Lamar’s comments were delivered through the lyrics of his newly released album, GNX, which dropped on November 22. In the opening track “Watched Out Murals,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning artist directly addresses the disappointment expressed by Lil Wayne, who had previously voiced his hurt after Lamar was announced as the headliner for the prestigious event at the Caesars Superdome, located in Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans.
Lamar, 37, has become one of the most respected voices in hip-hop over his decade-long career, and his selection to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025 was seen as a major milestone in his career. However, the announcement did not sit well with Wayne, who felt a deep sense of personal and professional loss at being overlooked for the performance.
The opening verse of Lamar’s song reveals the emotional weight of the situation, with Lamar acknowledging Wayne’s disappointment. “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down,” Lamar raps, referencing the admiration he once had for Wayne’s iconic Tha Carter III album. Despite this, Lamar’s lyrics suggest that he feels a sense of irony and guilt as if his success has somehow led to letting down the very person he once looked up to. Lamar also reflects on his inner struggles, expressing a mixture of regret and contemplation about the situation.
In the song, Lamar goes on to express feelings of isolation within the hip-hop community. He mentions how he believes his achievements have made him a target for criticism, with many of his peers choosing to pick sides, especially in the aftermath of his highly publicized feud with fellow rapper Drake. “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulated me / All these n—-s agitated, I’m just glad they showin’ they face,” Lamar raps, hinting that he has found solace in the support from some of his most loyal collaborators, like Nas, while others have been less than welcoming.
The lyrics suggest that Lamar is grappling with a sense of being misunderstood or unsupported, despite his success. These feelings are intensified by the realization that he may have inadvertently disappointed Wayne, who had hoped for the Super Bowl halftime slot to be his. Lamar’s acknowledgment of Wayne’s disappointment adds a layer of complexity to the emotions surrounding his selection, showing the human side of the artist behind the headlines.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show, an event watched by millions of people worldwide, is often considered the pinnacle of a music artist’s career, and Lamar’s announcement as the 2025 headliner was met with widespread praise. However, Wayne’s response to the news was far from positive. Shortly after the announcement was made on September 7, Wayne took to social media to share his emotional reaction with his fans, confessing that the news had “hurt” him deeply.
In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram, Wayne expressed feelings of betrayal, admitting that he had mentally prepared himself to take the stage in his hometown, only to be faced with the reality that Lamar had been chosen instead. “First of all, I wanna say forgive me for the delay,” Wayne began, before explaining how it took him time to gather the strength to speak about the situation without becoming overwhelmed. “I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking,” Wayne continued, his voice filled with raw emotion.
The “6 Foot 7 Foot” rapper spoke candidly about the personal toll the situation had taken on him. He admitted that the disappointment of not being selected to headline the Super Bowl had taken a significant emotional toll, explaining, “It made me feel like s— not getting this opportunity.” However, despite this sense of loss, Wayne expressed deep gratitude toward his supporters. “When I felt like s—, you guys reminded me that I ain’t s— without y’all, and that’s an amazing reality,” he said, acknowledging the love and encouragement he received from his fanbase during a difficult time.
Wayne’s vulnerability resonated with many of his fans, as he continued to share how important their support had been in helping him navigate his emotions. “Thanks to all of my peers, my friends, my family, my homies on the sports television and everybody repping me. I appreciate that I do,” he said. “I feel like I let all of y’all down by not getting that opportunity, but I’m working on me, and I’m working, so thank you.” Wayne’s message conveyed a sense of resilience as he pledged to continue working hard and striving to reach new heights, even as he dealt with the pain of the Super Bowl snub.
For many fans and hip-hop aficionados, Wayne’s disappointment was not surprising given his iconic status in the genre. As one of the most influential rappers of the past two decades, Wayne has long been a trailblazer in the industry, and many believed that his performance at the Super Bowl would have been a fitting tribute to his lasting impact on the music world. New Orleans, the city that birthed Wayne’s career, seemed like the perfect backdrop for his triumphant return to the stage that had helped define so many artists’ careers.
However, choosing Lamar over Wayne also speaks to the changing landscape of hip-hop and the broader entertainment industry. Lamar, who has enjoyed critical and commercial success with albums like DAMN. and To Pimp a Butterfly, is seen as one of the most innovative and socially conscious voices in music today. His selection to headline the Super Bowl reflected his artistic excellence and cultural relevance, but it also underscored the complex dynamics at play when it comes to legacy, competition, and the sometimes-painful nature of the music industry.
As for Lamar, his lyrical response to Wayne’s disappointment highlights the complicated emotional landscape that exists behind the glossy headlines and the high-profile gigs. While he celebrates his success, he does so with a sense of humility, acknowledging the human side of the equation—the feelings of inadequacy, the pressure to meet expectations, and the toll it takes on even the most accomplished artists.
In the end, Lamar’s acknowledgment of Wayne’s pain and his internal struggle reflects a deeper understanding of the complexities of fame and success. It’s a reminder that, even at the highest levels of the music industry, artists are not immune to the weight of disappointment, regret, and the need for validation from their peers.