Birdman and Nicki Minaj Defend Lil Wayne Amid Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy Over Kendrick Lamar
3 min read
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Lil Wayne’s allies, Birdman and Nicki Minaj, have come to his defense in the midst of a brewing controversy surrounding Kendrick Lamar being selected to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lil Wayne’s hometown. The announcement, made by JAY-Z’s Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL on September 8, has sparked intense debate, with many fans and industry insiders questioning the decision.
Kendrick Lamar, known for his impactful music and cultural influence, expressed excitement about the opportunity to headline the event, stating, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why.” Roc Nation founder JAY-Z added his praise, calling Lamar a “once-in-a-generation artist” whose work “transcends music.” However, the announcement didn’t sit well with Lil Wayne’s close circle, particularly given that the Super Bowl will take place in Wayne’s birthplace of New Orleans, where he is seen as a local and national hip-hop legend.
Lil Wayne’s co-manager, Fabian Marasciullo, expressed frustration on social media, admitting he felt “confused, disappointed, and angry” about the decision. His comments echoed a sentiment shared by other hip-hop figures, including Pusha T and Boosie Badazz, as well as Lil Wayne’s own daughter, Reginae Carter, who voiced her displeasure.
Now, Lil Wayne’s mentor and Cash Money label founder, Birdman, and longtime collaborator Nicki Minaj have taken a more direct approach to defending Wayne. Birdman took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his discontent, writing, “Smfh. These naz Pi. @NickiMinaj @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m[ma] make these n**az respell us, on Gladys. Hatin’ sht 4real.”
Nicki Minaj, always vocal in her support of Wayne, unleashed a series of tweets criticizing those behind the decision. In one tweet, she stated, “I love watching the whole industry play dumb time after time. lol. The truth is the truth no matter who tells it.” She accused those in charge of being spiteful and suggested their decision was influenced by personal biases rather than merit.
Minaj didn’t stop there. She pointed out that Lil Wayne had paved the way for many artists, including herself and Drake, noting that Wayne had helped her and others without ever asking for contracts or papers to be signed. “This man has literally changed the FACE of Hip-Hop,” she emphasized, highlighting Wayne’s lasting influence on the genre, both musically and culturally.
In her final remarks, Minaj noted that despite the controversy, it is possible to respect both artists. She tweeted, “You can love & respect Kendrick and still love & respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves & respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves & respects Wayne.” This statement aimed to quell any brewing rivalry between the two fan bases.
The debate underscores a larger conversation about Lil Wayne’s contributions to hip-hop and whether his influence should have earned him the prestigious Super Bowl Halftime Show slot, especially in his own hometown. For now, tensions remain high, with fans and artists alike divided over the decision to crown Kendrick Lamar as the 2025 headliner. Whether this controversy will affect Lamar’s performance or not, the conversation surrounding Lil Wayne’s legacy continues to grow.
Nicki Minaj’s defense of Wayne has also highlighted an important issue in hip-hop: the need to celebrate legends while they are still alive to enjoy the recognition. With Wayne still active and influential, his supporters are making it clear that his impact should not be overlooked.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
