It’s been a wild trip in the hip hop scene this year, and things have just gotten hotter! What’s the current drama? Kendrick Lamar has been given the popular Super Bowl LIX half-time slot, and not everyone is happy about it.
Jay-Z, co-producer of the Super Bowl event, is facing criticism from fans and musicians alike.
Jay-Z’s choice to proclaim Lamar as the half-time king at the Super Bowl, which takes place in Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans, has generated quite a stir.
Nicki Minaj and other musicians blame Wayne’s lack of recognition on long-standing rap feuds.
Rapper Cam’ron speculated that Jay-Z’s choice could be retaliation, referencing a previous feud between Wayne and Jay-Z.
But there’s more to this story. It’s no secret that Jay-Z has a rocky history with Wayne’s mentor Birdman, going back to 2009 when Birdman declared Wayne the superior rapper. Could this be the real reason behind the so-called snub?
Minaj surely believes so. She’s been fueling the flames, citing Jay-Z’s long-running animosity with Birdman and even bringing Desiree Perez, the CEO of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, into the fray.
Minaj has a long history of feuding with Roc Nation, and she has made it plain that she is not over it, particularly in light of Roc Nation’s actions with Megan Thee Stallion.
She even took to social media to laud Wayne, recognizing his enormous contribution to hip-hop. Minaj revealed that Wayne took her and Drake on tour without any contracts, and that he freely appeared on her mixtapes.
Wayne and Minaj have a long history together. As a member of the Young Money gang, Wayne took Minaj under his wing and helped her climb to become one of the most successful female rappers of all time.
Their cooperation on songs like “High School” and “Roman’s Revenge” is famous, solidifying their relationship in hip hop history.
The “Black Barbie” took to X: “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?!!!!!!!!!!!
“Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out. A white man. Shit sad. House NIGGER TINGZ. but it’s GOOD FI DEM!!!!!!! No loyalty ? Welp. then niggaz will keep son’ing you!!!!!”
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?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out.…
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024
Minaj further praised Wayne for his immense impact on her career and the hip hop industry, highlighting his generosity and influence.
“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 hair too. IYKYK. He inspired so many to tat their faces & get locks. Inspired your faves to wanna be a great MC. he never was in this for the money. It’s always been for the love of music.”
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 hair too. IYKYK. He inspired so many to tat…
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024
Even internet personality DJ Akademiks chimed in on X throwing some serious shade at Jay-Z for allegedly sidelining Wayne, tweeting: “The Super Bowl in New Orleans and they let Lamar perform over Lil Wayne… Jay-Z a legendary hater for that.”
The Super Bowl in New Orleans and they let Kendrick Lamar perform over Lil Wayne…. Jay Z a legendary hater for that.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) September 8, 2024
Despite the backlash, Jay-Z is standing firm on his choice. In a statement, he praised Kendrick Lamar, calling him a “once-in-a-generation artist” whose influence goes beyond music.
