Nicki Minaj and Birdman Take Aim at Jay-Z Over Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Slot

The Super Bowl halftime show has always been a prime spot for musical spectacle, but this year’s selection of Kendrick Lamar as headliner is stirring up controversy in the hip-hop world. The announcement that Lamar will lead the halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025, has sparked reactions from some of rap’s biggest names, with Nicki Minaj and Birdman leading the charge.

The National Football League, Roc Nation, and Apple Music recently revealed that Lamar will headline the highly anticipated show, with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, which has been co-producing the halftime extravaganza since 2019, praising Lamar as a “once-in-a-generation artist and performer.” However, this choice has not been well-received by everyone, particularly by Minaj and Birdman, who have voiced their dissatisfaction through social media.

In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), Nicki Minaj seemed to take a veiled swipe at Jay-Z, implying that Lil Wayne’s exclusion from the halftime show was a result of personal grievances. Nicki Minaj, who is affiliated with Wayne along with Drake and Birdman, accused Jay-Z of letting personal animosities influence the decision. “Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!!” she wrote.

Nicki Minaj’s message took a more critical turn as she compared the situation to Eminem’s firm support for 50 Cent in the past, lamenting what she perceived as a lack of loyalty and respect. “Eminem stood firm on having 50 Cent come out. A white man. Sht sad. House NIR TINGZ. but it’s good fi dem!!!!!!! No loyalty? Welp. then niaz will keep son’ing you!!!!!” she added.

Birdman also weighed in with his own blunt comments. “These n*z py @NICKIMpINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these niggaz respek us on Gladys,” he wrote, indicating his frustration with the situation.