Lil Wayne Was Almost Chosen to Perform at Super Bowl 2025 Before Kendrick Lamar Was Confirmed

Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez revealed that Lil Wayne was initially on the shortlist for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show before Kendrick Lamar was officially selected.

Lil Wayne Considered for Super Bowl Halftime Show

In an interview with NOLA.com ahead of Super Bowl LIX, which will take place in New Orleans on February 9, Perez shared how Roc Nation made what she described as the “right decision.”

When asked about Lil Wayne not being chosen to perform in his hometown, Perez responded:
“I wasn’t the one who made the final artist selection, but I’m sure there was careful consideration.”

Lil Wayne Expressed His Desire to Perform at the Super Bowl

Perez was also asked about Lil Wayne’s disappointment at not being selected for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, a performance he had publicly expressed interest in. He had even shared that he wanted his mother to see him perform at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Perez seemed surprised by this revelation:
“Aww, I actually didn’t know he said that,” she responded. “We love that everyone is eager to be on that stage. It’s incredible how we’ve shifted the conversation from boycotting the Super Bowl to competing for a spot on the lineup. We’ve come a long way.”

Why Was Kendrick Lamar Chosen?

According to Perez, Kendrick Lamar was the perfect choice for Super Bowl 2025, and Roc Nation believes the decision was well deserved:
“Kendrick is the right artist for the show at this moment. He’s had an incredible year, and he completely deserves this spotlight.”

She also emphasized that Kendrick’s recognition at the 2025 Grammy Awards played a key role in the decision:
“Kendrick’s cultural impact is truly a tribute to New Orleans.”

JAY-Z’s Crucial Role in Selecting Super Bowl Performers

Perez also confirmed that JAY-Z plays a major role in selecting Super Bowl halftime performers:
“He always brings great ideas. This whole process starts with JAY-Z’s vision. For him, choosing artists is almost like a chef selecting the special of the night—he creates the shortlist, and we move forward with that.”

What to Expect at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Recently, Ab-Soul hinted at a major surprise in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.

In a cryptic X (Twitter) post earlier this week, the TDE rapper wrote:
“LISTEN… I’VE NEVER GOTTEN A FT FROM FREE,” referring to Dave Free, Kendrick Lamar’s longtime manager.

This has sparked speculation among fans: Could there be a surprise collaboration at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show?