Skip Bayless Revives Super Bowl Halftime Discussion, Backs Lil Wayne As Headliner

Four months after the masses shared their thoughts on Kendrick Lamar being chosen as the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime headliner, Skip Bayless is throwing his take into the mix, insisting Lil Wayne should’ve been chosen for the New Orleans performance.

“Sorry, Lil Wayne should obviously be the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans,” the sports analyst posted via X Sunday, Jan. 12. This follows Dot’s September 2024 announcement that he was selected to hit the stage in the southern city over Weezy.

Bayless isn’t alone in believing Wayne should’ve been the pick over Lamar, as Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Cam’ron and others have expressed that they feel Mr. Carter should’ve been offered the slot in his hometown.

“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego,” Minaj wrote at the time, likely referring to JAY-Z, who’s had a hand in choosing Super Bowl halftime performers since 2019. “Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!!”

JAY-Z shared his reasoning behind going with Lamar for the halftime show shortly after the news broke, writing, “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.”

As for Wayne, he’s expressed mixed reactions to not landing the gig, first saying “it hurt a lot” to be passed over.

“It hurt a whole lot. 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. So I blame myself for that,” Wayne expressed.

Wayne also stated at his Lil WeezyAna Fest in November that he felt the opportunity was “ripped away” from him. These remarks led to Dot acknowledging this disappointment on his song “wacced out murals,” where he rapped, “Used to bump The Carter 3, I held my Rollie chain proud. Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.”

The line led to Weezy believing Kendrick wanted smoke with him, as he replied, “Man wtf I do?! I just be chillin & dey still kome 4 my head. Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. I beg u all. No one really wants destruction,not even me but I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love.”

By December, however, Wayne seemed to have come to terms with the decision, telling Bayless, “I’ve spoken to [Kendrick], and I wish him all the best, and I told him he better kill it.”

The 2025 Super Bowl takes place Sun, Feb 9, in New Orleans.

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