Drake Seemingly Unbothered by Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Announcement
Drake appears to have subtly reacted to the news that his longtime rival, Kendrick Lamar, will be headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025. The Canadian rapper, 37, took to his Instagram Story on Wednesday, September 11, sharing five photos of fellow artist Lil Wayne. This move has led many fans to speculate that it was Drake’s way of addressing Lamar’s high-profile gig without directly commenting on it.
Lil Wayne, 41, has a deep connection to the Super Bowl, especially since Super Bowl LIX is set to take place in his hometown of New Orleans. Many fans and artists felt Wayne was the rightful choice for the halftime performance, with some expressing disappointment over Lamar’s selection. In response to Lamar’s announcement, Master P took to Instagram, stating, “As Ambassador of Entertainment in the City of New Orleans, I have to agree with the fans that @liltunechi #LilWayne should be a part of this celebration as well.”
The debate surrounding the decision has sparked significant discussion within the music and sports communities. Rapper Cam’ron also voiced his opinion on the matter during the September 9 episode of his podcast. “It’s in New Orleans and you don’t get Lil Wayne? That’s what we doing?” Cam’ron said. He went on to suggest that Wayne’s absence might be linked to his association with Drake, hinting at possible tensions behind the scenes.
The theory stems from Lil Wayne’s previous beef with Jay-Z, who has been a co-producer of the Super Bowl halftime show since his partnership with the NFL began in 2019. Although Jay-Z and Wayne have reportedly patched things up, the tension seems to linger in the eyes of some fans and artists. Cam’ron posited, “Who’s Lil Wayne’s artist? Drake … Lil Wayne not performing in New Orleans for the Super Bowl is egregious and it’s gotta stop.”
Drake and Lamar’s feud has been one of the most talked-about rivalries in hip-hop this year. In May, both artists released singles that took shots at each other, culminating in a summer-long clash on the charts. While Drake’s supporters stood by his side, Kendrick Lamar seemed to come out on top as his track “Not Like Us” dominated airwaves and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl announcement is seen by many as a crowning achievement and a “full-circle” moment in this ongoing saga. This milestone comes after Drake famously declared himself “big as the Super Bowl” in his track “First Person Shooter,” the song that initially ignited the latest round of hostilities between the two rappers.
Drake’s Instagram posts featuring Lil Wayne have been perceived by some as a nod to the controversy. While he has yet to openly address Lamar’s Super Bowl gig, this subtle reaction speaks volumes, hinting at Drake’s possible feelings about the situation without diving into an overt public statement. The rap world and fans alike will be watching closely to see how this rivalry unfolds leading up to Super Bowl LIX.