Nicki Minaj Clears the Air on Super Bowl LIX Rant, Denies Disrespecting Kendrick Lamar Amid JAY-Z Controversy
Nicki Minaj made it clear to fans that her defense of Lil Wayne doesn’t mean she’s taking shots at Kendrick Lamar.
Following her heated comments about the decision for Super Bowl LIX’s halftime show headliner, Minaj wanted to set the record straight.
On Monday night (Sept. 9), Minaj explained her position, saying:
“You can love and respect Kendrick and still love and respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves and respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves and respects Wayne”
Nicki Minaj Clears the Air on Kendrick Lamar After Super Bowl Controversy:
You can love & respect Kendrick and still love & respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves & respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves & respects Wayne. #GagCityDC TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!!!!! The whole DMV AREA I’ll see yall soon. We will have a beautiful, magical, successful show. #DTLR 💋
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024
Her statement came after fans began speculating that her comments were throwing shade at Lamar.
One Twitter user even suggested that Minaj was backtracking due to pressure from her label, Republic Records. The accusation sparked more buzz, with many fans wondering if her words had been misinterpreted.
LOLLLLL they did? Today? If they did call me I def didn’t get the call chi. Maybe they left a vm. You must rlly not know Oniqua hungry pie. 🥧 this rly just shows that you’re caged & have never been able to simply do & say as you please w/o any fear (other than the fear of GOD)… https://t.co/NVM64Hr79S
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024
In her original rant, Minaj took aim at JAY-Z and his Roc Nation team, claiming they were sidelining Lil Wayne as a form of punishment.
She hinted that this was due to her close relationship with Drake and Birdman, both major figures in the rap world, who have also had their own issues with Roc Nation.
Some fans felt Lil Wayne would have been the perfect choice for the Super Bowl’s location. The rapper has a massive following, and many thought his presence at the halftime show would’ve been iconic.
On the other hand, Kendrick Lamar’s selection as the headliner was seen by some as being driven by the success of his recent track, “Not Like Us,” released back in May.
While opinions in the hip-hop community were divided, Minaj stressed that supporting Lil Wayne doesn’t mean diminishing Lamar’s accomplishments.
Both artists have a deep legacy in rap, with distinct fanbases, and Minaj’s intention was to ensure Wayne got the recognition she felt he deserved.
As debates continue over Super Bowl LIX’s lineup, Minaj’s comments have only added fuel to the ongoing discussion.
For many in the hip-hop world, the question remains: who should truly represent the culture on such a massive stage?
With these tensions in the spotlight, the rap community is keeping a close eye on how things unfold leading up to the big event.