Less than ten days stand between football fans and the biggest game of the year — Super Bowl LIX. This time around, the Kansas City Chiefs will return to the big stage for the second showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles in the last three years. With Patrick Mahomes and company looking to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls since the 1960s, the big game promises to be electric, but it is not the only reason viewers will tune in. The National Football League (NFL), Apple Music, and Roc Nation have enlisted Kendrick Lamar to lead this year’s halftime show. With this responsibility, Lamar has elected to bring his longtime collaborator, SZA, along for the ride. A recent tweet from Ab-Soul has also got fans riled up and thinking a Black Hippy reunion may also occur.
“Listen…I have never gotten a [facetime] from [Dave] Free. SMFH. I just shed a tear. Dead homies. Super Bowl LIX. History,” he tweeted.
While many are excited for what’s about to go down, others are not. Before Kendrick Lamar secured the coveted performance slot, many believed Lil’ Wayne was a frontrunner for the opportunity. During a recent interview with NOLA.com, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez explained why Lamar was selected.
“New Orleans is so rich in culture,” Perez explained. “We have to take into consideration (that) whoever is going to perform can speak to music culture, regardless of age. It has to nod to real music, regardless of the genre. And Kendrick does that. Kendrick’s richness and culture is really a nod to New Orleans.”
In Perez’s words, Lamar is “the right person for the show at this moment,” but said Lil’ Wayne was “definitely” considered. During his Lil’ Weezyana Fest in November, Lil’ Wayne said he was disappointed not to headline the show because he wanted his mother to share that moment with him.
“Aww,” Perez told NOLA.com. “I actually didn’t know he had said that.”
“We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting. We’ve come a long way.”
