Credit: Alamy

Lil Wayne has spoken out about not being chosen to perform at next year’s Super Bowl and has claimed that he is being snubbed. Last week, Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner of next year’s Super Bowl half time show, and now, Wayne has addressed his feelings about the selection.

After Kendrick was announced as the headliner, fans took to social media to express their outrage as Wayne had expressed his desire to play the show multiple times over the years. Fans emphasised how Lil Wayne has been in the game since 1999 and deserves respect for the people he has put on, including the likes of Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga and others.

The public also expressed outrage, asserting that Wayne’s legacy is more significant and highlighted how he would be the first emcee from Louisiana to grace the stage of a Super Bowl. The fact that it is being held in New Orleans was the main reason for the reaction.

In a statement, Lil Wayne has explained his feelings on the snub, noting, “That hurt, it hurt a lot. I thought there was nothing better that spot, on that stage, on that platform.” He continued, “It broke me, but I’m just trying to put myself back together.”

The game is scheduled to take place at New Orleans’ Caesars Stadium on February 9th, and the culture sees it as a missed opportunity for Wayne to perform in his hometown, which he hasn’t returned to for many years.

Despite the uproar, the selection process for the Super Bowl headliner is complicated and involves Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company. Furthermore, the NFL and the host city of New Orleans also played a role in the pick for next year.

Jay-Z has been criticised for what many see as a disrespectful decision, and he has been called out by other rappers, including Fat Joe and Fabolous, who have come to Lil Wayne’s defence regarding the rejection.

Wayne’s social media video begins, “First of all, I wanna say forgive me for the delay.” He then proceeds, “I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking. I’m a say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love and support out there. Your words turned to arms and held me up when I tried to fall back.”

The ‘Drop The World’ rapper continued, “[Not being picked] hurt — it hurt a lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown. For just automatically mentally putting myself in that position like someone told me that was my position.”

When Roc Nation announced Lamar’s name, Jay-Z released a statement supporting the choice, which read, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”

Still, many believe the Compton native is too young and fresh in the game to be chosen, considering previous figures such as Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and Usher have been operating since the 1990s or earlier.