The NFL sent an apology letter to Lil Wayne after announcing Kendrick Lamar as last year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.
Lil Wayne was denied the chance to headline the show in New Orleans, his hometown, which upset many fans. Given his strong connection to the city, people expected him to be chosen.
Adding to the controversy, Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the Superdome received criticism from viewers who found it underwhelming.
The letter thanked Lil Wayne for his support of the league over the years, including his appearances on NFL Network’s pregame show. Despite this, he was not selected, and he made it clear he would not watch the halftime show—only the game itself.
Sports commentator Skip Bayless revealed that the rejection hit Lil Wayne hard. He struggled for several days before coming to terms with it.
Lil Wayne later spoke about his disappointment, admitting on Instagram Live that he wasn’t mentally prepared for the rejection. He had expected to perform on that big stage in his city, so the news was painful.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar, who recently won five Grammys, did not seem to bring that energy to his performance.
Starting on top of a car, Kendrick took a moment to address his legal dispute with Drake. He removed a controversial word from his song lyrics but still performed the track that caused tension between them. He also made indirect comments about Drake during the show.
Adding to the spectacle, Samuel L. Jackson introduced Kendrick’s medley, while R&B singer SZA made a guest appearance. Tennis star Serena Williams, who previously dated Drake, also had a surprise cameo.
Despite these elements, many viewers were not impressed. Fans took to social media, calling it one of the worst halftime shows ever. One user wrote, “I can’t tell if I’m being biased, but this is the worst halftime show I’ve seen in a long time.”
