Super Bowl LIX is just around the corner, and the excitement is building. But there’s something more than just football happening this year — a heated debate is brewing over the choice of the halftime headliner. While some are thrilled by the bold decision, others are less than impressed.
And now, one of Louisiana’s biggest stars is speaking out after being passed over for the coveted halftime slot.
It all started in September 2024 when Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show. The event, scheduled for February 9, will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana — the heart of the city, and the perfect place for such a monumental performance.
Shortly after the announcement, fans were treated to a fun teaser trailer from Apple Music, the official halftime show sponsor. In this black-and-white clip, Kendrick Lamar is shown walking across a giant football field.
He’s casually chatting on the phone, but his comment quickly catches the attention of viewers: “This field a lot bigger than what it looks.” His words were a playful acknowledgment of the sheer size of the venue.
But the fun didn’t stop there. Out of nowhere, SZA, the Grammy-winning artist who will join Lamar on stage, splashes him with a water cooler full of sparkling blue liquid. With a mischievous grin on her face, SZA added a light-hearted moment to the teaser, making fans even more eager to see the pair perform together.
The collaboration between Lamar and SZA marks a huge moment in their careers, especially for Kendrick. This will be the first time he headlines the Super Bowl halftime show. But it’s not his first appearance at the big event. Lamar performed as a guest during the 2022 halftime show alongside icons like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Fans had mixed reactions to the announcement. Some were excited, like one social media user who wrote, “Kendrick deserves it.” Another added, “Back in like 2016 I said Kendrick is the GOAT, I’m happy he has proven me right every step of the way.”
But not everyone was on board. A third person commented, “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 shared, “I mean it’s fine I suppose but I don’t watch football so I probably have no stake in this. He has no scandals, generally well-liked, better than Taylor Swift or something like that lol.”
However, a significant number of fans expressed disappointment. Some weren’t fond of Lamar’s music at all. One person wrote, “As a Gen Z member, I’m not a fan of him. I would appreciate it if it were Ice Cube, Chris Brown, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Ciara, or Janet Jackson (she deserves a second chance).”
Another commented, “Why does he get to be there twice? I pay no attention to that kind of music.” A third fan added, “Sick of rap at the Super Bowl. It is the lowest denominator of music IMHO.” Some were so upset that they announced they wouldn’t even be watching: “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,” one person wrote. Another said, “It’ll be the only Super Bowl halftime I’ve skipped. Can’t stand his voice.”
But while the debate raged on, there was a star-studded lineup of performers set to take the stage during Super Bowl LIX. In addition to Lamar and SZA, four Louisiana-born artists will perform during the pre-game and halftime ceremonies. Jon Batiste, a talented jazz musician, will sing the national anthem.
Batiste, thrilled about the opportunity, shared his excitement on social media: “I’m excited to figure out an arrangement that lasts the test of time, and I look forward to sharing it,” he said.
Christian singer Lauren Daigle and jazz legend Trombone Shorty will team up to deliver a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful,” while R&B star Ledisi is set to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” It’s a lineup that celebrates Louisiana’s rich musical culture, and fans were eager to see all these performances.
But not everyone was celebrating. One of Louisiana’s most famous rappers, Lil Wayne, expressed his disappointment at not being chosen to headline. In an emotional Instagram video, Wayne opened up about how the news affected him.
“First of all, I wanna say forgive me for the delay,” Lil Wayne began, visibly struggling with his emotions. “I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking. I wanna say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love, and the support out there.”
But as Wayne continued, it was clear how much the situation hurt 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,” he said. “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 the situation through his music. On November 22, Lamar released his sixth album, “GNX,” and in the opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” he rapped about 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,” Lamar said in the second verse, offering his perspective on the emotional moment.
As February 9 approaches, Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be a night full of surprises and drama — both on the field and off. Whether you’re a fan of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, or one of the other performers, it’s clear this year’s halftime show will be one to remember.
And if you’re hoping to catch all the action, the Super Bowl can be live-streamed through several platforms, including the Fox Sports app, Tubi, NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, and more.
