Kendrick Lamar will take the Super Bowl LIX stage in New Orleans next February, adding another prestigious accolade to the Pulitzer Prize-winner’s career. Yet, all the buzz seems centered on Lil Wayne—the hometown hero passed over for the halftime show. While Wayne and his supporters have expressed their disappointment, let’s not overlook why Lamar is undoubtedly the right choice.
Much of the criticism is aimed at JAY-Z, who has helped organize the halftime show since 2020. Cam’ron thinks it’s JAY-Z’s ‘payback’ on his old rival Wayne, while Nicki Minaj accuses him of having ‘hatred’ against her, Birdman, and Drake. However, despite the disappointment surrounding Lil Wayne’s snub, Kendrick Lamar has had an undeniably monumental year.
Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 has been extraordinary. Starting with a stellar verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s chart-topping ‘Like That,’ Kendrick made it clear he’s on a different level. This year, he released diss tracks like ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Not Like Us’ that shook the industry, even toppling Drake in a lyrical showdown. Even more impressively, ‘Not Like Us’ dominated the Billboard Hot 100 and broke several of Drake’s streaming records.
February’s Super Bowl stage will come shortly after the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Kendrick is expected to take home more honors. Performing at the Big Game is a fitting victory lap. Kendrick will also be the first rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show solo, a huge milestone for hip-hop. While Dr. Dre did headline in 2022, he shared the stage with several stars like Eminem and Snoop Dogg.
Hip hop has long deserved to be more than a side act in pop performances. Kendrick’s incredible success and cultural impact make it clear he’s the artist who can bring hip-hop to the forefront of mainstream events like this. With hits like ‘HUMBLE.,’ ‘DNA.,’ and ‘Swimming Pools,’ Kendrick has a catalog that could create an unforgettable halftime show. Plus, his list of potential guest stars like Beyoncé and Eminem could make the event even more spectacular.
Kendrick has proved time and again he’s a phenomenal live performer. From his theatrical Grammy performances to his headline-grabbing tour for ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,’ his shows are high production and highly anticipated. His 2022-2024 Big Steppers Tour was one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours ever, making over $110 million. The NFL can count on Kendrick to deliver a show-stopping set.
As Charlamagne Tha God pointed out, Kendrick is a safer business bet than Lil Wayne, considering the potential for massive social media engagement and viewership. With Kendrick fresh off a high-profile victory over Drake, the excitement for his Super Bowl performance is only heightened. Lil Wayne may be a legend, but Kendrick’s current relevance and brand partnerships make him the more attractive choice for 2025.
Rumors of a new album further bolster Kendrick’s case. Between hints from collaborators and snippets in recent music videos, it seems likely Kendrick will drop new music soon—just in time for the Super Bowl. This could amplify his performance even more, akin to how Beyoncé and Usher leveraged their halftime shows.
Historically, Super Bowl performers have not been chosen based on the host city. Multiple past shows have featured performers unrelated to the location, like Maroon 5 headlining in Atlanta. The decision for the halftime show involves various factors and isn’t solely up to JAY-Z. In this case, it looks like New Orleans will just have to cheer from the stands while Kendrick Lamar takes the stage.
Kendrick Lamar is the ideal choice for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. From his groundbreaking year to his unmatched performing skills, Kendrick is set to make hip-hop history. While Lil Wayne’s fans may feel snubbed, the decision underscores Kendrick’s impact and relevance in today’s music scene.
