“No other reason but your ego” - Nicki Minaj tears into Jay-Z and Roc Nation over snubbing Lil Wayne for Super Bowl ‘25

Nicki Minaj took to the social media platform X on September 9 and indirectly called out hip-hop magnate Jay-Z. The Pink Friday hitmaker slammed the Roc Nation founder for not choosing New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show slated to happen in his hometown in coming February.

“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?!!!!!!!!!!!” Nicki Minaj wrote in her post.

She further went on to write:

“Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50 Cent come out. A white man. Sh*t, sad. House N*GGER TINGZ. but it’s GOOD FI DEM!!!!!!! No loyalty? Welp. then n*ggaz will keep son’ing you!!!!! ... LMFAOOOOOOOOOO GOODAZ FI DEL GAL U AH GOODAZ FI DEM.”

Nicki Minaj putting Jay-Z under backlash. (Image via X/ NICKIMINAJ)

Notably, Nicki Minaj’s comments come in the wake of Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar being announced on Monday as the headliner for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.

---

Exploring all that Nicki Minaj said about Lil Wayne’s exclusion from the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Jay-Z has been the NFL music strategist since 2019, while his entertainment company Roc Nation is the program partner for events such as the Super Bowl Halftime Shows. On September 9, after Kendrick Lamar was chosen to headline the Super Bowl ’25, Jay-Z issued a public statement endorsing the Not Like Us rapper.

“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come,” Jay-Z shared.

Amid his statement, many expressed their disappointment and slammed Hov claiming that Lil Wayne should have been appointed to headline the show slated to take place in his home city New Orleans instead of K-Dot. Among them was rapper Nicki Minaj who is a longtime close associate of Weezy.

Nicki Minaj's social media post appeared to target Jay-Z, criticizing his ego and accusing him of overlooking Lil Wayne out of spite for her, Drake, and Birdman. In follow-up posts, she praised Lil Wayne for shaping her career and influencing hip-hop culture.

“And btw, you don’t know the half of what Lil Wayne has done for me & others. Wayne had Drake & I on his tour w/no papers signed. He was on all of my mixtapes w/no papers signed. This man has literally changed the FACE of hip-hop,” the 41-year-old wrote.

The Anaconda rapper went on to say how Weezy “inspired” rappers to get tattoos on their faces and style their hair like his own, including getting locks. She also mentioned how Lil Wayne was responsible for turning rappers into emcees, adding “he never was in this for the money” but rather “for the love of music.”

In another post, Nicki Minaj wrote:

“God forbid if Wayne was to leave this earth right now, the culture would be in mourning. That’s why so many ppl keep saying to give our legends their flowers while they are still around to smell them. Sitting around all day playing games with ppl life & legacy. God ain’t sleep.”

The Trinidadian-born rapper also shared how it was possible to “love & respect Kendrick and still love & respect Wayne” adding that even K-Dot and other real rappers “love and respect” Weezy.

---

Notably, Nicki Minaj herself has beefed with Jay-Z’s crew in the past. For instance, earlier this year, she threatened to expose Desiree Perez, the CEO of Roc Nation for allegedly firing people for “unknown reasons.” The Super Freaky Girl rapper even claimed that Perez was trying to replace her with the likes of Megan Thee Stallion as the leading female rapper.