Lil Wayne’s SNL Performance Sparks Debate Over Super Bowl Halftime Show Snub
Lil Wayne’s electrifying performance at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special has reignited controversy over the NFL’s choice of Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl halftime show. Many fans now believe the New Orleans-born rapper should have been the main act instead.
Lil Wayne vs. Kendrick Lamar: Did the NFL Make the Wrong Choice?
The Super Bowl halftime show, which featured Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams, drew a record 133.5 million viewers—the highest in history. However, it was met with mixed reactions, with some critics calling it the “worst halftime show ever.”
Adding to the controversy, the NFL reportedly apologized to Lil Wayne after initially considering him for the Super Bowl performance, only to choose Lamar instead. Fans were especially upset given that Lil Wayne hails from New Orleans, where the Super Bowl took place.
SNL Performance Sparks Online Backlash
Just a week after the Super Bowl, Lil Wayne took the stage at SNL’s 50th anniversary special, delivering a performance that immediately had social media buzzing. Fans flooded Twitter with comparisons, arguing that Wayne’s SNL performance was far superior to Lamar’s halftime show.
“Lil Wayne would’ve been so much better for the Super Bowl halftime show. He is KILLING it during SNL 50. Baffles me they didn’t choose the kid from NOLA,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Lil Wayne’s SNL setlist was 10x better than Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance.”
Not Everyone Agrees
While many fans praised Lil Wayne’s high-energy performance, others used it as proof that the NFL made the right call.
“People were dead serious saying Lil Wayne should’ve done the Super Bowl halftime show over Kendrick. Please watch this SNL performance,” one critic tweeted.
Another added, “I love Lil Wayne, but this SNL performance is making those who said he should have played the Super Bowl look even dumber.”
Did the NFL Regret Its Decision?
Reports suggest the NFL is reconsidering its approach to halftime show bookings after the backlash against Lamar’s performance. Whether this means Lil Wayne will get his Super Bowl moment in the future remains to be seen, but for now, his SNL performance has reignited debate over what could have been.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Liverpool | 28 | 20 | 7 | 1 | 66 | 26 | 40 | 67 |
| 2 |  Arsenal | 27 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 51 | 23 | 38 | 54 |
| 3 |  Nottingham Forest | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 48 |
| 4 |  Man City | 27 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 47 |
| 5 |  Chelsea | 27 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 36 | 16 | 46 |
| 6 |  Newcastle | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 46 | 38 | 8 | 44 |
| 7 |  Bournemouth | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 45 | 32 | 13 | 43 |
| 8 |  Brighton | 27 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 43 |
| 9 |  Fulham | 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 42 |
| 10 |  Aston Villa | 28 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 42 |
| 11 |  Brentford | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 38 |
| 12 |  Crystal Palace | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 33 | 2 | 36 |
| 13 |  Tottenham | 27 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 53 | 39 | 14 | 33 |
| 14 |  Man United | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 33 | 39 | -6 | 33 |
| 15 |  West Ham | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 32 | 47 | -15 | 33 |
| 16 |  Everton | 27 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 34 | -4 | 32 |
| 17 |  Wolves | 27 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 22 |
| 18 |  Ipswich | 27 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 26 | 57 | -31 | 17 |
| 19 |  Leicester | 27 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 61 | -36 | 17 |
| 20 |  Southampton | 27 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 19 | 65 | -46 | 9 |