"Wanted to humble Wayne and spite Drake" - Internet calls out Jay-Z over choosing Kendrick Lamar to headline the Super Bowl

Hip-hop magnate Jay-Z endorsed rapper Kendrick Lamar after the latter was announced as the headliner for Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show on September 8, 2024. The Carters member shared a statement with Rolling Stone in favor of K-Dot’s selection.

“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 stated.

Notably, Beyonce’s husband is the NFL’s music strategist, and his Roc Nation label has a partnership with the league, thus making his remark significant. However, the internet didn’t seem to agree with Jay-Z’s opinion and called him out for making a seemingly biased choice.

For instance, X user @WriteARapSis shared a post where he claimed that Jay-Z overlooked the likes of Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj to endorse Kendrick Lamar for the 2025 Superbowl Halftime Show slated for February in New Orleans.

“Jay Z KNEW that if Lil Wayne performed he was going to bring out NICKI AND DRAKE and young money to represent ONE OF THE most successful RAP labels of all time to the WORLD and his HATING A*S couldn’t take it, wanted to humble Wayne and SPITE Drake. Whew, Roc Nation will CRUMBLE,” the user wrote.

A netizen calls out Jay-z for excluding other artists from Super Bowl 2025 (Image via X/@WriteARapSis)

Several others shared similar reactions on the platform. Some pointed out that not making Lil Wayne perform at a New Orleans big stage despite it being his hometown is “diabolical.”

“Jay-Z a culture vulture for not having Lil Wayne performing in New Orleans,” a person wrote.

“The fact they picked Kendrick to perform at the Super Bowl in New Orleans over Lil Wayne is diabolical, very cut-throat, very undemure, very Jay-Z need his ahh kicked,” wrote another.

“Love Kendrick obviously, but the Super Bowl being IN New Orleans and not having Lil Wayne be the headliner is crazy work… F*CK JAY Z,” one person wrote.

Others claimed that the former Def Jam Recordings CEO choosing K-Dot over the likes of Drake and Nicki Minaj was also a calculated move.

“Facts! Not too mention the fact that Nicki should have been headlined the Super Bowl….Jay Z made sure Lil Wayne didn’t get the call, his moves are calculated,” a netizen wrote.

“In other news Jay-Z picking Kendrick to be the halftime show in this Super Bowl lets me know he sent Meek on the crash-out mission to beef with Drake,” another netizen wrote.

Here are some others calling out the New York rapper-entrepreneur for supporting Kendrick Lamar’s headlining the Super Bowl Halftime show.

“Jay Z is a snake he knows what he’s doing,” an individual wrote.

“Just in case y’all forgot, Jay still has a hand in that. He knew what he was doing choosing Kendrick for a Super Bowl.” Wrote another.

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Exploring Kendrick Lamar’s statement about his Super Bowl headlining amid Jay-Z’s endorsement

On Sunday, Kendrick Lamar took to Instagram in a rare appearance and posted a video of himself sitting on a chair in a field with the American flag behind him and footballs on the side. After swinging a few shots in the air toward the camera using a training ball-launch device, he says in the clip:

“What [are] you doing everybody? My name’s Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX. Will you be pulling up? I hope so! You know there’s only one opportunity to win the championship, no round twos. Let’s get it!”

The Not Like Us rapper continued by saying:

“I don’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans [on] February 9, 2025. Wear your best dress too, even if you’re watching from home. Let’s go. Whee! That’s what I’m talking about, man.”

K-Dot even issued a statement for the press where he mentioned how “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” and he’ll be there to “remind the world why,” adding that “they got the right one” by selecting him.

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Notably, K-Dot previously performed at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show alongside Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent, among others. However, this will be his first time headlining the sporting championship. The 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show will be presented by Apple Music and held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.