By: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

New Orleans vibrates with music and has given the world artists who have changed the soundscape. Lil Wayne stands as one of those artists. As jazz notes float through the French Quarter, Wayne’s Lil WeezyAna Fest, founded in 2015, filled the Smoothie King Center with fans and the sounds of a legend. Wayne is a cultural icon and hometown hero, celebrated as such. However, even though he can pack an arena, Wayne will be found standing outside of the Super Bowl as a performer.

Kendrick Lamar being chosen earlier this year as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime performer has caused a stir in the industry for several reasons. The biggest: The game will be held in New Orleans, and many believe Wayne should have been given that opportunity.

Wayne has been a fixture in hip-hop culture since 1991 when he signed to Cash Money Records at age 9, becoming the label’s youngest artist. His signing was the start of a revolution. His years with the Hot Boys laid the foundation for Cash Money, and his solo career would show the world what Wayne was capable of.

The numbers tell the story.

“Tha Block Is Hot” went platinum. “Tha Carter III” moved 1,005,545 copies in its first week and went octuple platinum. “Tha Carter IV” sold 1,184,103 copies in its first two weeks, and “Tha Carter V” crossed the million-unit threshold in sales and streams.

Wayne has 186 entries on Billboard’s Hot 100 and is a five-time Grammy Award winner. The numbers he has amassed are impressive; however, his greatest impact came through his mixtape run. The “Dedication” and “Da Drought” series changed the game, introducing us to Lil Wayne the MC, who recorded these legendary tapes in hotel rooms and tour buses.

Wayne’s influences are hailed by today’s notable artists like Young Thug, who tapped into Wayne’s melodic offerings to create his own style. Kendrick Lamar hails Lil Wayne as his favorite rapper. We also can’t forget to mention that Wayne built Young Money and provided the world with Drake and Nicki Minaj, fundamentally altering hip-hop’s landscape.

Considering Wayne’s global impact, it’s easy to understand why he and many of his fans feel an opportunity was taken from him. Since Roc Nation has been at the helm of the Super Bowl selection process, it has been more rap-friendly, and Lil Wayne would seem like the perfect fit based on his legacy alone.

Wayne hasn’t been without flaws along his journey. In 2020 he was locked up for a firearms charge for which he received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump and he has had some unfavorable and controversial political stances when it comes to Black people. Even during these challenges he managed to stay consistent and provide music to his fans. 

However, on the heels of a fiery battle between Kendrick and Drake, and the smash hit “ Not Like Us” playing at every sporting event and homecoming across the country, one could say Kendrick’s selection was the smart decision.

While many may debate this, one thing that can’t be debated is Lil Wayne’s legacy. On Nov. 2, 2024, at the Smoothie King Center, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and his longtime rival and New Orleans native Master P presented him with a key to the city.

Wayne addressed his thoughts on not performing at the Super Bowl during Lil WeezyAna Fest:

“When the first Super Bowl was here, I made sure I bought tickets at the beginning of the season, and you know I did the same when I moved to Miami. I was wishing my team made it, and guess who made it that year? The Saints,” Wayne said. “I was able to give my mama that suite. She was able to bring my family and other people from New Orleans, and they had a ball. That moment I said to myself, ‘I want to be on stage for the Super Bowl one day in front of my mom.’ And I worked my ass off to get that position, and it was ripped away from me. But this moment right here, they can’t take this away from me.”