Lil Wayne recently shared that he gave Kendrick Lamar some motivational words ahead of K.Dot’s performance at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans. While Wayne wasn’t chosen to represent his hometown on one of the biggest stages, he’s handling the situation with grace and determination.
In an interview with Skip Bayless, the 42-year-old rapper reflected on being passed over for the halftime slot, acknowledging it’s out of his control. “I want to get to the point where I’m undeniable,” Wayne said. “I want [the decision-makers] to have 10 other choices and still say, ‘No, you have to go with him.’”
Bayless brought up Kendrick’s track “wacced out murals” from his new album, GNX, where Lamar mentions Wayne directly:
“I used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.”
Wayne admitted it was his first time hearing the lyric during the interview but saw it as a sign of respect. “I think he’s a fan, like I’m a fan of his music,” Wayne said. “He saw how much [the Super Bowl halftime show] meant to me. I think that’s all he means.”
Wayne also revealed that he reached out to Kendrick personally to wish him well. “I’ve spoken to him and told him he better kill it,” he added.
While the exact timing of their conversation is unclear, Wayne’s reaction came after Kendrick’s album release, during which he posted a cryptic message on X that many believed was aimed at K.Dot:
“Man wtf I do?! I just be chillin & dey still kome 4 my head. Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. … I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love.”
Despite fans speculating that Wayne might make a surprise appearance during Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance, he shut down the rumors, saying, “I’m not gonna even be in the country.”
Super Bowl LIX will take place on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. While Wayne may not be part of this year’s show, his words of encouragement to Kendrick showcase mutual respect between two hip-hop icons.
In other Kendrick news, 50 Cent recently defended the Compton rapper after comedian Andrew Schulz made an inappropriate joke about him. Fif called out Schulz, saying, “I’m a fan, but I don’t understand the need for that.”
Wayne and Kendrick continue to be two of hip-hop’s most celebrated artists, and fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next from both legends.
