In an emotional Instagram post, Lil Wayne expressed his disappointment at being overlooked as the headliner for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, which is set to take place in his hometown of New Orleans.

The iconic rapper, 41, admitted, “It hurt — it hurt a lot,” expressing his disappointment after Kendrick Lamar was announced as the performer on September 8.

Wayne revealed he had hoped to be chosen for the prestigious gig and took the blame for his unpreparedness. “I thought there was nothing better than that spot… in my city, so it hurt,” he shared, reiterating the depth of his feelings.


The choice of Kendrick Lamar, 37, has sparked debate among fans, many of whom believed Wayne and his contemporaries from Cash Money Records were prime candidates given their local ties. Lamar responded to his selection by asserting that the NFL “got the right one” to highlight the significance of rap music.

In his heartfelt message, Wayne thanked his supporters for their unwavering love and encouragement, stating, “Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back.” Despite his heartache, he vowed to continue working on himself and his music, reminding fans that he remains committed to his craft.