Nicki Minaj Takes Aim at Jay-Z Over Lil Wayne’s Super Bowl Halftime Snub
In a series of fiery social media posts, rap icon Nicki Minaj has seemingly taken shots at Jay-Z following the announcement of Kendrick Lamar as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Minaj, who is known for speaking her mind, appeared to criticize the decision, which saw her former label boss Lil Wayne, an influential figure in hip-hop, overlooked for the highly-coveted slot.
The National Football League (NFL), Apple Music, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation recently revealed that Kendrick Lamar would be leading the halftime performance in New Orleans. While Lamar’s selection has been celebrated by many, some fans, particularly those of Lil Wayne, have expressed their disappointment, believing that the New Orleans native should have been chosen instead.
Minaj, a longtime protégé of Lil Wayne and an artist who rose to prominence under his Young Money Entertainment label, joined the chorus of critics. On her X handle (formerly Twitter), she did not hold back, expressing her frustration with Jay-Z, who played a significant role in selecting Lamar.
“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?!” Minaj wrote in one of her posts.
She went on to compare the situation to the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show, when Eminem ensured that 50 Cent made an appearance alongside him. Minaj lamented the lack of loyalty within the industry, taking a veiled swipe at Jay-Z by referring to him with a derogatory term.
“Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out. A white man. Sh*t sad. House n*gger timz. but it’s good fi dem! No loyalty? Welp. then n*ggaz will keep son’ing you!”
Minaj’s frustration was clear, as she expressed deep admiration for Lil Wayne, crediting him for his contributions to the hip-hop world. She emphasized that Wayne has not only solidified his legacy as one of the greatest rappers of all time but has also shaped the careers of notable artists like herself and Drake.
“Lil Wayne has impacted this game in ways that can’t be ignored. His talent, his grace, and his vision helped bring some of the best artists we’ve seen, myself included, to the forefront of hip-hop,” she added.
Minaj’s comments have sparked widespread discussion, with fans rallying behind her sentiments. Many feel that Wayne’s undeniable influence and iconic status, especially given his New Orleans roots, should have made him an obvious choice for the Super Bowl performance.
