Lil Wayne’s explosive performance on Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special has reignited the debate over the NFL’s decision to pick Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl halftime show instead of the New Orleans-born rap icon.
Lamar’s 13-minute set at the Super Bowl—featuring SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and a diss track aimed at his longtime rival Drake—was the most-watched halftime show in history, pulling in an average of 133.5 million viewers. However, while some fans praised the spectacle, others labeled it “the worst halftime show ever.”
Adding to the controversy, reports surfaced that the NFL had “immediately” sent a letter of apology to Lil Wayne after choosing Lamar over him for the halftime show in his hometown of New Orleans. Now, with Weezy’s dynamic SNL50 performance with The Roots, social media is buzzing with renewed calls that he should have been the one rocking the Super Bowl stage.
Lil Wayne performs a medley of his hits on SNL’s 50th anniversary special #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/h8Y6u89LgX
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 17, 2025
One fan on X declared: "Lil Wayne would’ve been so much better of a choice for a halftime show than Kendrick. He is KILLING it during SNL 50. Baffles me they didn’t choose the kid from Nola."Another agreed, writing: "Lil Wayne’s performance tonight on SNL would run laps around Kendrick’s halftime show."
The debate gained even more traction when the official SNL account posted a clip of Lil Wayne’s performance, fueling excitement across social media.
A user wrote:"Before we even get to the Super Bowl. Which of Kendrick's set at SNL is this better than?"
Before we even get to the Super Bowl.
— Kelson (@sidenote7) February 17, 2025
Which of Kendrick's set at SNL is this better than?
Meanwhile, another fan was even more direct: "Better than Kendrick Lamar at Super Bowl by far!!!!!" Many fans saw Weezy’s performance as an alternative to the Super Bowl show they wanted, with one sarcastically posting: "Lil Wayne just performed on SNL. Y’all finally got the halftime performance y’all been crying about. Now let it go."
Better than Kendrick Lamar at Super Bowl by far!!!!!
— Brenno Mauro (@BrennoM7) February 17, 2025
lil wayne just performed on snl. y’all finally got the halftime performance y’all been crying about. now let it go. #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/nEsVvaMZ8v
— shawn. 🧃 (@UCYPHOBIC) February 17, 2025
Music personality Gunz weighed in on the debate, writing: "Am I wrong for thinking Lil Wayne woulda been a more enjoyable Halftime Show than Kendrick Lamar? So many hits - he’s crushing it on SNL 50-year anniversary right now."
Even outside the NFL debate, fans praised Lil Wayne’s performance, with one post saying, "This Lil Wayne and The Roots performance at SNL 50 is 10x better than the Super Bowl halftime show."
Despite the growing calls that the NFL made a mistake, not everyone was convinced. Some critics believe Weezy’s SNL50 performance justified why he wasn’t chosen for the Super Bowl stage.
One fan tweeted: "People were dead serious saying Lil Wayne should’ve done the Super Bowl halftime show over Kendrick. Please watch this SNL performance."
Another defended Lamar, writing: "I want all of you watching the SNL 50th anniversary to apologize to Kendrick for wanting Lil Wayne to be the halftime show."
While the debate rages on, one thing is clear—Lil Wayne’s SNL50 performance was a major moment, proving his continued influence in hip-hop. With Tha Carter VI dropping this summer, the legendary rapper has made it clear that he’s still a dominant force in the industry.
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