"He's creating a wave of artists to have an opportunity" - Snoop Dogg addresses Jay-Z's headliner pick for Super Bowl Halftime

Rapper Snoop Dogg (real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) recently addressed Jay-Z's decision to pick Kendrick Lamar over Lil Wayne for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. During Saturday's, November 16, 2024, live episode of Drink Champs at ComplexCon 2024, the musician came to the defense of the Roc Nation head honcho.

"He's creating a wave of artists to have an opportunity to perform. If you are a good artist and you are a great artist, your time will come."

The remark came after co-host N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN discussed the Super Bowl with guests Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. When N.O.R.E. pointed out that usually whichever city the championship game is held, an artist from the city is supposed to perform at the halftime show.

He was referencing the criticism of Jay-Z (owner of Roc Nation, which works with the NFL to select the halftime show artists) for choosing Lamar to perform at the event, which is scheduled to be played in New Orleans, Lil Wayne's hometown.

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"Before Jay-Z got control of the Super Bowl, wasn't no n**gas performing"—Snoop Dogg about Super Bowl halftime shows before Jay-Z

Just days after Kendrick Lamar announced headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, Lil Wayne took to his Instagram to express his disappointment and hurt at being overlooked. Since then, several fans and industry big names, including Drake and Nicky Minaj, have spoken in Weezy's support, blaming Jay-Z for it.

During Saturday's interview, N.O.R.E. brought up Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre's Super Bowl LVI performance along with Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar with 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak making a guest appearance. Referencing that the event took place in Los Angeles, N.O.R.E. began:

"Since y'all performed at the Super Bowl and that Super Bowl happened to be in Los Angeles, it's this big thing that's going on right now that everyone thinks that wherever the Super Bowl takes place, that artists that's there is supposed to..."

Seeing the direction the Queens native's question was taking, Snoop Dogg interrupted him, stating:

"What we need to think about is that before JAY-Z got control of the Super Bowl wasn't no n**gas performing. So let's go back to the essence of the beginning of bridge."

Referencing his and Dr. Dre's performance, Dogg explained that he was never "mad" or "cried" when Dr. Dre asked him to have his back at the show. He explained that he was there, but he didn't feel like he was supposed to. He added that he was in "demand to be there."

"This is a big event. People looking at everything when they picked the person to perform, you should just be honored that hip-hop is being able to be seen on that platform for all of us and not hate on the next," Snoop Dogg added.

Snoop Dogg previously echoed the sentiments during his appearance on Nightcap with hosts Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson. At the time, he stated that 15 years ago, many hip-hop artists were not able to grace the Super Bowl halftime show stage.

He explained that he had "no opinion" about Weezy being overlooked, adding that he "understood both sides of the coin." He explained that he got the opportunity to perform through Dr. Dre, and in the end, it became a great moment for everyone (the performance ended up winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special, and Outstanding Music Direction).

Snoop Dogg also praised Weezy and his rap career before adding:

"Me and Wayne is family to this day, me and Kendrick is family to this day, and me and Jay-Z, and me and Roger Goodell. I don’t know who is the decision maker, all I know is that I’ll be at home watching the Super Bowl and when the halftime show comes on, I’ll be watching that as well."

During the 2024 Lil' WeezyAna Fest earlier this month, Lil Wayne expressed that he felt like the halftime show was "ripped away from (him)," despite working hard to get where he was today.

At the time, the New Orleans Mayor honored him with a "Key to the City," and rapper Master P. (who will serve as the entertainment ambassador for the city during the NFL Super Bowl) announced Weezy would be the first inductee to the NOLA Walk of Fame.

Additionally, it was recently announced that the Louisiana rapper would become a regular guest at NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning show for the rest of the season. The Sunday, November 17, show was his first.

Kendrick Lamar has not publicly reacted to the controversy. Meanwhile, Super Bowl LIX will be held on February 9, 2025.