In a recent announcement, New Orleans native and Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne revealed he will not attend Super Bowl LIX, set to take place in his hometown on February 9, 2025. This decision follows his public expression of disappointment over not being selected for the halftime performance, a slot awarded to California rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Lil Wayne conveyed his feelings in a social media post, stating that being overlooked for the halftime show "broke" him and "hurt a lot." He emphasized his desire to perform in front of his hometown crowd, especially his mother, making the snub particularly personal.
Despite the setback, Lil Wayne hinted at a special announcement for his fans. In a video shared on his Instagram Stories, he mentioned he would not be attending the Super Bowl and teased that he was working on something "very special," with more details to be revealed on February 6.
In an unexpected move, Lil Wayne announced his upcoming album, Tha Carter VI, through a Cetaphil lotion advertisement titled "We're All a Lil Sensitive." The ad humorously addresses his disappointment at not being chosen to perform at the Super Bowl in his hometown, using subtle clues such as the recurring sequence "6-6-25" displayed on sports jerseys and a scoreboard.
At the ad's end, Wayne declines Super Bowl tickets, highlighting the date "06-06-25" as significant and linking it to the release of his album. Wayne expressed that the ad campaign made perfect sense to him, reflecting his determination to deliver something even bigger following his Super Bowl snub.
The Super Bowl LIX halftime show will feature Kendrick Lamar as the headliner, with special guest SZA.
The selection of Lamar has sparked controversy, with some fans and fellow artists expressing disappointment over Lil Wayne's exclusion, especially given the event's location in New Orleans.
As fans await further details on Lil Wayne's upcoming plans, the rapper's response to the halftime show snub underscores his resilience and commitment to his artistry.