The Super Bowl LIX halftime show has caused quite a stir, with fans everywhere buzzing about this year’s headliner. Some are excited about the bold choice, while others aren’t so thrilled. One of Louisiana’s biggest legends has even spoken up about being passed over for the spot.
The excitement for Super Bowl LIX is already building. In September 2024, Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game, happening on February 9, was shaping up to be a night to remember.
The announcement didn’t stop there. A fun teaser trailer dropped soon after, showing Kendrick Lamar in a black-and-white clip pacing across a huge football field.
He’s talking on the phone, casually mentioning, “This field a lot bigger than what it looks,” as he marvels at the massive size of the stadium. The lighthearted moment quickly turned into something fun when SZA, who had been hiding nearby, surprised Lamar by splashing him with a water cooler full of sparkling blue liquid.
Her mischievous grin added a sense of humor to the scene, making fans even more excited to see the chemistry between the two performers when they hit the Super Bowl stage.
SZA shared her excitement on Instagram, saying, “Taking the stage with @Kendricklamar!” This announcement marked a big moment for Kendrick Lamar, who was set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show for the very first time.
But this wouldn’t be his first time on the Super Bowl stage—he had previously performed as a guest during the unforgettable 2022 halftime show with legends like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Fans had mixed reactions to the announcement. Some were thrilled. “Kendrick deserves it,” one person posted online. Another wrote, “Back in like 2016 I said Kendrick is the GOAT, I’m happy he has proven me right every step of the way.”
A third person added, “It’s cool. I love Kendrick but never found him to be the most fun live performer. Seems like he can’t rap all his verses with that same passion live.”
Another fan said, “I mean it’s fine I suppose but I don’t watch football so I probably have no stake /: he has no scandals, generally well-liked, better than Taylor Swift or something like that lol.”
But not everyone shared that enthusiasm. Some fans were not so excited about Kendrick Lamar. “As a Gen Z member, I’m not a fan of him,” one person wrote.
“I would appreciate it if it were Ice Cube, Chris Brown, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Ciara, or Janet Jackson (she deserves a second chance imo).” Another user added, “Why does he get to be there twice? I pay no attention to that kind of music.”
A third commented, “Sick of rap at the Super Bowl. It is the lowest denominator of music, in my humble opinion.” Another fan said, “Huge disappointment. Not a fan of Kendrick Lamar at all, and this will be the first halftime show I won’t care if I miss.” Another typed, “It’ll be the only Super Bowl halftime I have skipped. Can’t stand his voice.”
Despite the divided opinions, Lamar and SZA aren’t the only stars scheduled to perform. The NFL made sure to bring in some incredible Louisiana-born talent to make the night unforgettable.
Jon Batiste, a jazz musician and multi-instrumentalist, will perform the national anthem. He’s been vocal about his excitement, saying, “I’m excited to figure out an arrangement that lasts the test of time, and I look forward to sharing it.”
Christian singer Lauren Daigle and jazz musician Trombone Shorty will join forces to perform “America the Beautiful.” R&B icon Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” making sure to honor Louisiana’s rich musical roots.
But amid the star-studded lineup, one Louisiana artist had something important to say about being left out of the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.
Lil Wayne, known as one of the greatest rappers of all time and a favorite to headline next year’s Super Bowl, shared his thoughts in an emotional video on Instagram.
“First of all, I wanna say forgive me for the delay,” Lil Wayne said, his voice trembling. “I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking. I’mma say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love, and the support out there.”
He took a deep breath before opening up about how he felt when he learned Kendrick Lamar had been chosen instead of him. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position,” Wayne explained.
“But I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt.”
Kendrick Lamar, aware of Wayne’s feelings, seemed to address them through his music. In November 2024, Lamar surprised fans with the release of his new album, “GNX.” In the opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” Kendrick rapped about his thoughts on the situation.
“Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down / Whatever though, call me crazy, everybody questionable.”
His words gave fans a glimpse into his perspective, showing how much he respected Lil Wayne but still took his own path.
For those eagerly waiting for the big night, Super Bowl LIX will be available to stream live on a variety of platforms, including the Fox Sports app, Tubi, FoxSports.com, NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV.
With a diverse lineup of performers and the drama surrounding the halftime show, Super Bowl LIX promises to be a night full of excitement, emotions, and unforgettable moments both on and off the field. Fans can’t wait to see how the stars will shine in New Orleans!
