Drake weighs in on Kendrick Lamar vs. Lil Wayne Super Bowl halftime show debate

Drake has seemingly entered the ongoing debate over Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, expressing support for his former Young Money mentor Lil Wayne. On Tuesday (September 10), Drake took to his Instagram Stories to share several throwback photos of Wayne, hinting at his feelings regarding Wayne’s apparent snub for the coveted Super Bowl LIX performance.

The photos Drake shared included iconic moments from Lil Wayne’s career, such as a menacing look captured in his younger days, a shot from the “A Milli” music video, and nostalgic images of the rap legend holding a flip phone and gambling. Many fans interpreted these posts as Drake’s subtle way of voicing his displeasure over Wayne being passed over in favor of Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl halftime gig.

This comes amid a heated discussion within the hip-hop community about who should headline the Super Bowl show, which will take place on February 9 in New Orleans — Lil Wayne’s hometown. Despite Kendrick Lamar’s undeniable catalog of hits and high-energy performances, many fans believe Wayne should have been the top pick, especially considering his deep connection to New Orleans and his impact on the rap game.

The debate intensified earlier this week when Nicki Minaj, another Young Money alum, launched a scathing social media rant targeting JAY-Z, who has played a key role in organizing the halftime show since 2020. Without naming him directly, Nicki accused the Roc Nation founder of blocking Lil Wayne from headlining the Super Bowl due to personal grievances.

“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego,” Nicki wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?! LIL WAYNE!!! THE GOAT?!!!” She continued to call JAY-Z “spiteful,” “evil,” and “disgusting,” accusing him of playing political games with the opportunity.

Nicki Minaj isn’t the only one calling out the perceived injustice. Birdman, the co-founder of Cash Money Records, echoed Nicki’s sentiments on social media, claiming that Lil Wayne’s contributions to hip-hop deserved more respect. In a heated tweet, he wrote: “I’m make these n-ggaz respek us on Gladys. Hatin shit 4real.”

Other prominent figures in hip-hop, including Juvenile, Cam’ron, Master P, Boosie Badazz, and Hurricane Chris, have also voiced their disappointment over Wayne being passed over for the Super Bowl halftime show.

While Lil Wayne has yet to comment on the controversy, he had previously expressed a desire to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. In an interview with Taylor Rooks last year, Wayne described performing at the event as “an achievement,” noting that it transcends the sport itself.

“As an artist, this is an achievement,” he said. “I don’t care what teams are playing, what city it’s in. ‘You performed for the what?!’ Like, what? Oh man, that right there is an achievement.”

Despite Wayne not being selected as the main act, there’s speculation that he could still appear as a special guest during Kendrick Lamar’s performance. Master P has even suggested this possibility, though it could potentially complicate the dynamic between Wayne and Drake, given Drake’s long-standing rivalry with Kendrick Lamar.

The tension surrounding the Super Bowl LIX halftime show has reignited the debate over the recognition of hip-hop legends and the politics behind major performance slots. As fans and fellow artists continue to weigh in, the possibility of Wayne’s inclusion as a guest performer remains a topic of intrigue.

As the Kendrick Lamar vs. Lil Wayne Super Bowl halftime show debate rages on, Drake’s subtle show of support for Wayne has added fuel to the fire. With multiple hip-hop figures expressing frustration over Wayne’s perceived snub, the discussion has brought to light broader questions about the politics of the music industry and the respect owed to legendary artists like Lil Wayne. Whether or not Wayne will make a surprise appearance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this debate isn’t dying down anytime soon.