There was mixed reaction online after Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headline performer for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Since the event is going to take place in New Orleans, a section of fans called out Jay-Z and his Roc Nation company for snubbing Lil Wayne, who hails from the city.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company has been producing the Super Bowl Halftime Show over the last five years after inking a deal with the NFL. The legendary rapper is also the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist.
Snoop Dogg, who was one of the headline performers at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show in Los Angeles, defended Roc Nation’s choice when he appeared as a guest for the live episode of Drink Champs at ComplexCon 2024, Complex reported.
The veteran Los Angeles rapper touched on the topic when the show’s co-host N.O.R.E. asked what he thought about people feeling that the Super Bowl Halftime Show should now feature performers from the city where the event is taking place. Besides Snoop Dogg, the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime show featured other West Coast artists including Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak.
“Since y’all performed at the Super Bowl and that Super Bowl happened to be in Los Angeles, it’s this big thing that’s going on right now that everyone thinks that wherever the Super Bowl takes place, that artists that’s there is supposed to…” N.O.R.E. said in reference to Lil Wayne’s reaction after Kendrick Lamar was picked as the headline performer at next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.
“What we need to think about is that before Jay-Z got control of the Super Bowl wasn’t no n**gas performing. So let’s go back to the essence of the beginning of bridge,” Snoop Dogg explained.
“He’s creating a wave of artists to have an opportunity to perform. If you are a good artist and you are a great artist, your time will come,” the 53-year-old said. “I was never crying about it or mad about it when Dr. Dre called me and asked me to get his back. I was there for him, but I didn’t feel like I was supposed to be there. I was in demand to be there.”
The Gin and Juice rapper added: “This is a big event. People looking at everything when they picked the person to perform, you should just be honored that hip-hop is being able to be seen on that platform for all of us and not hate on the next.”
Snoop Dogg’s comments came after Lil Wayne reacted with disappointment over not being picked to perform at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, saying that it “hurt a lot.” Fellow New Orleans rapper Birdman and former Young Money signee Nicki Minaj also condemned Roc Nation’s decision.
Snoop Dogg shared some thoughts on Super Bowl Halftime show performers and how the selections have evolved over the years during a special live @Drinkchamps with Dr. Dre at @complexcon ???? pic.twitter.com/eYdZnAN1b9
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 17, 2024
READ ALSO: Jay-Z reportedly extends NFL deal to produce Super Bowl Halftime show
