Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne: The controversy over the Super Bowl halftime show explained

The hype for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show is real.

Held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the California rapper will take the stage on Sunday Feb. 9.

Although there are many questions on what songs the "GNX" star will perform for the show −like whether he'll do the now-Grammy award-winning, historic diss record"Not Like Us" −we know for sure that his former labelmate SZA is joining him on the football field.

During an interview with Apple Music on Thursday, Feb. 6, Lamar said viewers should expect "storytelling" during his presentation this weekend.

"I've always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music," he said. "And I've always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I'm on."

Although highly anticipated, the announcement didn't go without sparking some additional tension in hip-hop, specifically after public comments by rapper Lil Wayne, who wanted to headline the show in his hometown. Here's a breakdown of the controversy surrounding the Super Bowl.

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Who is Kendrick Lamar? Everything to know about Super Bowl 59's halftime performer

NFL announces Kendrick Lamar as Super Bowl halftime performer

In September, the NFL dropped the bombshell news that Kendrick Lamar would perform at the 2025 Apple Music Halftime Show. It was accompanied by a photo of the rapper sitting in front of an American flag.

The Pulitzer Prize winner also released a teaser on YouTube to get his fans excited for the show.

“What the deal, everybody? My name Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl 59,” he said. “Will you be pulling up? I hope so. You know there’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos. Let’s get it.”

“I wouldn't want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans,” he added. “February 9, 2025.”

Lil Wayne said there was ‘nothing better than that spot’

The NFL’s decision ignited major debate on social media among fans and hip-hop pundits, with some stating that Lil Wayne - born and raised in the Big Easy -  should have been selected instead.

“No shade to K.Dot, but the NFL really should've tried to get Lil Wayne to perform in NEW ORLEANS for the Superbowl,” one fan said on X.

Rap icon and Lil Wayne’s protégé, Nicki Minaj,  defended him, saying he “inspired your faves to wanna be a great MC.” Rappers Cam’ron and Mase also discussed the topic on their podcast, “It Is What It Is.”

“I love Kendrick Lamar. I think he’s one of the top artists of this generation, period. Hate this selection,” Cam’ron said at the time. “It’s in New Orleans. You don’t get Lil Wayne? That’s what we doing?”

“Lil Wayne not performing in New Orleans for the Super Bowl is egregious, and it got to stop," the New York emcee continued.

Wayne, who has a history of expressing the significance of performing in his hometown for football’s biggest game, was not shy to admit that he was disappointed.

"I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for just automatically mentally putting myself in that position," he stated in a viral Instagram Live video. "I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that stage, that platform, in my city. So it hurt, it hurt a whole lot."

The “Mr. Carter” rapper doubled down on his emotions at the 2024  Lil Weezyana Fest in front of a crowd of his fans: “It was ripped away from me,” he said.

Kendrick Lamar responds to controversy on ‘GNX’

In his surprise 12-track album “GNX,” released on Nov. 22, Kendrick Lamar addressed the controversy on his intro song, “wacced out murals.”

“Used to bump 'Tha Carter III,' I held my Rollie chain proud/ Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down,” Lamar spit.

He also took a jab at the industry who spoke out against him after the NFL’s pick: “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me/ All these (expletive) agitated/ I’m just glad it’s on their faces/ Quite frankly, plenty artist but they outdated/ Old (expletive) flows trying to convince me that you they favorite."

Lamar refers to rap legend Nas, who shouted him out on Instagram for snagging the prestigious gig.

Following the album’s release, Lil Wayne appeared to respond to the discourse of the mention in a social media post.

“Let this giant sleep. I beg u all.  No one really wants destruction,not even me but I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love,” he wrote on X.

More: Lil Wayne comments on Kendrick Lamar, Super Bowl controversy: 'You better kill it'

Lil Wayne said he wished Kendrick 'all the best'

During an appearance on “The Skip Bayless Show” in December, Lil Wayne shared that he spoke to Kendrick Lamar and congratulated him on his accomplishment.

“I’ve spoken to him, and I wished him all the best, and I told him he better kill it," Wayne said adding he told him, “"You better kill it. You got to kill it."

On the show, Bayless asked Lil Wayne if he spoke to Lamar about his name being dropped on “GNX.” Wayne claimed it was his first time hearing the lyrics but stated that Lamar didn't owe him an explanation.

"I think he just means... his hard work is the reason why he made it there and obviously 'let me down' is me just being upset," Wayne said.

Lil Wayne says he’s not attending the Super Bowl

Earlier this week, Lil Wayne announced via his Instagram story that he was not going to the big event. Despite the controversy, many fans hoped he would potentially be a guest on Lamar's set.

"Y'all know I'm not going to be there this week, which means guess there's a seat to fill," he said in a clip shared online. "Shout out to New Orleans. I've been working on something very special. I got something exciting coming for you Thursday, the 6th."

He added: "Until then, I'm just chilling."

Lil Wayne references Super Bowl snub in commercial

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the platinum-selling artist announced that his new album, "Tha Carter VI," will be released on June 6 in a new Cetaphil commercial titled "We're all a Lil Sensitive", seemingly a reference to the Super Bowl halftime show controversy. He is also featured on the remix of LiAngelo Ball's aka GELO viral song "Tweaker" and has several late February shows with fellow Hot Boys members, Juvenile, Turk, and BG.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne Super Bowl controversy: Everything to know