Snoop Dogg Takes Diplomatic Stance on Kendrick Lamar & Lil Wayne Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy.
Snoop Dogg recently shared his thoughts on the brewing controversy surrounding Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne’s involvement, or lack thereof, in the upcoming Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show. While appearing on Nightcap with hosts Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, the rap icon offered a balanced perspective on the situation, opting to focus on the bigger picture of Hip-Hop’s evolution in mainstream entertainment.
As someone who performed at Super Bowl 56 alongside Dr. Dre and other Hip-Hop legends, Snoop reminded viewers of how far the genre has come in the past 15 years. “I don’t really have no opinion,” he stated, before adding, “but what I do wanna say is that, just remember where the NFL was 15 years ago when it comes to Hip-Hop. How many Hip-Hop artists were able to grace that stage back then?”
Snoop acknowledged that while both sides of the debate have valid points, he emphasized the rarity and significance of any Hip-Hop artist performing on the Super Bowl stage. “Any time anybody can get on that Super Bowl stage, remember this: it’s a 12-13-minute performance, and you’re not getting paid. It’s more or less you have to spend money to upgrade your show to make it mass appealing for the audience at home.”
Snoop also highlighted his long-standing relationships with both Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar. Reflecting on his time with Master P’s No Limit Records, Snoop praised Lil Wayne, calling him “the GOAT of New Orleans rap.” He shared his admiration for Wayne’s growth, explaining how he witnessed Wayne’s rise from a young artist to one of the biggest names in Hip-Hop.
Despite the apparent disappointment expressed by Wayne over not being chosen for the Super Bowl in his hometown, Snoop maintained his neutral stance. “Me and Wayne are family to this day, me and Kendrick are family to this day, and me and Jay-Z, and me and Roger Goodell,” Snoop said, referring to the NFL commissioner. He made it clear that while he doesn’t know who the ultimate decision-maker is, he’ll be watching the Super Bowl and the halftime show just like everyone else.
Much of the controversy revolves around Lil Wayne’s reaction to not being selected for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, especially given that it’s being held in his hometown of New Orleans. Wayne expressed his disappointment in a video posted to social media, stating that the decision “broke” him.
Although some fans speculated that Jay-Z, who has been involved with the NFL’s entertainment decisions, may have influenced the final call, Super Bowl Halftime Show executive producer Jesse Collins recently confirmed that the rapper and mogul does indeed have a say in the selection process.
Kendrick Lamar, meanwhile, has remained silent on the controversy, choosing instead to release an untitled song on Instagram. The Compton rapper is set to headline the Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show in February, a decision that has sparked both excitement and debate among fans and critics.
As the Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show draws nearer, the conversation around who should perform and why will likely continue to unfold. While Lil Wayne’s fans are vocal about their disappointment, Snoop Dogg’s diplomatic stance provides a refreshing reminder of how far Hip-Hop has come in the NFL’s spotlight. Regardless of the controversy, Snoop’s balanced take suggests that the real victory is the continued presence of Hip-Hop on one of the world’s biggest stages.