Lil Wayne was in the running to perform at this year’s Super Bowl before Kendrick Lamar was chosen, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez has revealed.
Speaking to NOLA.com ahead of Super Bowl LIX’s arrival in New Orleans next Sunday (February 9), Perez detailed how Roc Nation came to their decision, which she says was the “right” one.
Asked about Weezy not being chosen to perform in his home city, she replied: “I didn’t choose the artist, but I do believe that definitely there was consideration.”
Perez was also asked about Wayne’s disappointment at not being chosen for the halftime show — a gig he had openly coveted — and saying that he wanted his mother to see him perform at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
“Aww. I actually didn’t know he had said that,” she said. “We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting. We’ve come a long way.”
The Roc Nation executive went on to explain why Kendrick deserves to headline the big game: “Kendrick is the right person for the show at this moment. He’s had an incredible year, very deserving of the attention.
“The Grammys also acknowledged that. That’s part of the consideration for the halftime show. Kendrick’s richness and culture is really a nod to New Orleans.”
Perez also confirmed that JAY-Z is hands-on in helping choose who performs at the Super Bowl: “He comes back with ideas. It really starts with his thinking. It’s easier for him. It’s almost like a chef picking the specials for the evening. He comes up with the shortlist, and we work our way through that.”
Ab-Soul recently teased that something big is going down during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show in just over a week’s time.
In a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week, the TDE rapper wrote: “LISTEN… I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A FT FROM FREE,” referencing Kendrick’s longtime manager Dave Free.
“SMFH. I JUST SHED A TEAR. DEAD HOMIES. SUPER BOWL LIX. HISTORY!!! @pgLang x @TopDawgEnt.”
Many fans interpreted the post as a hint that Ab-Soul — and possibly also his Black Hippy brethren ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock — would be making an appearance during Kendrick’s highly-anticipated performance on February 9.
At least one special guest, SZA, has so far been confirmed to join Kendrick on stage at the Caesars Superdome.
Only because Jay-Z hates Wayne. He was the wrong pick and the tickets are going down in price. NOLA is not messing with this and tourists don’t want to come to NOLA not to mention NFL has been going down in popularity and viewership. You’ll be in jail with Diddy soon lady same with his people.
Justic – Gay Greg trying too hard
Jay-Z ha every right to hate Wayne. This midget gremlin look alike motherfxcker is one of the reason why we have so many shitty music today. Where do you think all these mumbling rappers drinking purple drink got their sound and lifestyle from? Plus Wayne is overrated anyway. Anyone who was a teenage in the 90s would tell you that Wayne’s music was not endorsed like that. Only this new generation born in the late 90s and early 2000s calls him a “goat”. FOH. Wise move from Jay for not letting this living walking fraud perform at the Super Bowl.
Isn’t this the snitch?
All Lil Wayne raps about is getting his dick sucked and eating pussy. No one wants to see ugly ass 7 Dread Weezy rhyme about that shit on such a big platform. Thats of course if he remembers his rhymes that day.
But people want to hear an alien voiced midget nerd rapping about LA gang life?
Size Sevens – Gay Greg
Yes we do want that actually
Shut up whitey!
Who cares what this DEA INFORMANT has to say? How can anyone who claims to be street or gangster deal with Roc Nation knowing they are cool with snitching???
It’s because Jay-Z runs it that’s why and no one is going.
I’d rather have seen Wayne get it, but I’m kind of biased against Kendrick at this point due to his decline in quality. Kendrick from 2009-2014 was insanely good. A perfec mix to where old heads and kids liked him equally. Now? He doesn’t sound west coast at all. He once reminded me of Pac, Nas, Jay… now he reminds me of radio rappers, and modern ones at that.
You’re crazy. GNX is monumental and by far his best album.