It Goes Beyond the Super Bowl: Jay-Z and Lil Wayne's Feud, Explained
The issues between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne are complicated, and goes back two decades. Here is everything you need to know about their beef.
By Sheridan SingletonSept. 17 2024, Published 11:13 a.m. ET
In a moment that should be an incredibly exciting one for hip-hop, the community has once again chosen to be divisive over a non-issue. Kendrick Lamar has dominated 2024, primarily thanks to the hubris of actor and performer Aubrey Graham, a.k.a Drake.
A petty comment was turned into a major beef that eventually led to an anthem that hits hard at the issue of cultural appropriation in the music industry in Kendrick's song, "Not Like Us."
It makes absolute sense that RocNation, helmed by Jay-Z, would ask Kendrick to headline the Superbowl LIX Halftime performance, as he's on fire right now.
However, a new controversy has arisen. After the news was announced that the 2025 show would take place in New Orleans, Lil Wayne expressed interest in wanting to perform, as NOLA is his hometown.
Now, it seems that Lil Wayne and Jay-Z are at odds, but are they actually?
Jay-Z and Lil Wayne have traded disses back and forth over the years.
Things between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne first got touchy in 2006. Jay-Z wanted to sign Lil Wayne to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, as his contract with Cash Money Records was running out.
Wayne chose to stay with Cash Money, and Jay ended his brief retirement from rap with his album Kingdom Come. Lil Wayne felt slighted by the album, saying that Jay-Z was wrong for saying he came back to "save hip-hop."
He said in an interview with Complex, "It's not [Jay's] house anymore, and I'm better than you."
Jay-Z and Lil Wayne joined forces after discovering Birdman was withholding funds from Young Money.
Lil Wayne grew up with Cash Money Records, literally. He met Birdman when he was 9 years old and was taken under his wing. It makes sense that when Jay wanted to sign him, he chose to stay with who he considered to be family.
However, as Wayne's star continued to rise, the things he was promised from Birdman were not coming through. He was starting his label, Young Money, when he learned that Birdman was withholding $100 million owed to him; he pursued legal action with Jay's help.
Nicki Minaj points the blame in the Superbowl issue, but her logic is flawed.
There is nothing Nicki Minaj seems to love more than hopping onto X (formerly Twitter) to call people out, even when they are supporting her.
In this situation, she made an X post saying that Jay didn't book Lil Wayne for the headliner because Jay hates Birdman. Given Jay's history of trying to help Wayne deal with Birdman, this argument makes no sense.
Lil Wayne and NFL commentator Skip Bayless pose for a photo together
Lil Wayne has been involved with the previous Superbowl that took place in New Orleans.
It's true that Wayne has never performed as a Superbowl headliner, but he was involved with Superbowl XLVII, which took place there in 2013. He performed at the Madden Bowl event prior to the game and also performed at the GQ party that took place there.
This conversation seems more about devaluing Kendrick's contributions to hip hop than honoring Lil Wayne's NOLA roots.
Fun fact? Lil Wayne rooted against the Saints when they played against the Vikings for the final spot in Superbowl XLIV, citing his love for quarterback and alleged welfare queen Brett Favre.
So, why is his connection to NOLA so important for this Super Bowl? It feels more like an attempt to devalue Kendrick than protect Wayne's feelings. Who says Kendrick won't bring him out? This conversation is tired; can we get back to rooting for everybody Black, please?
