Stephen A Smith Says He “Knows” Lil’ Wayne Was On NFL’s “List” For Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show, Reveals Why Kendrick Lamar Was Chosen Over Him In The End

ESPN’s Stephen A Smith had some damning information to announce regarding rapper Lil Wayne amid backlash that he was not chosen to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.

Before Kendrick Lamar was eventually chosen, Smith said Wayne was “on the list” to perform in Thursday’s episode of The Stephen A Smith Show.

“I happen to know he was on the list,” Smith said. “I happen to know he was given consideration. But Kendrick Lamar is arguably the hottest thing out right now.”

After Lamar was announced as the halftime show performer, social media went crazy over why Wayne was not chosen to represent the city since the game will be held at Caesars Superdome in Louisiana.

Earlier this year, Lil Wayne expressed interest in wanting to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show in his hometown.

“I will not lie to you, I have not got a call,” Wayne said during a February interview.

“But we all praying, we keeping our fingers crossed. I’m working hard. I’m going to make sure this next album and everything I do is killer, so I’m going make it very hard for them to…I want to just make it hard for them not to highlight the boy.”

Weezy has yet to respond to the snubbing.

Stephen A Smith Gets Into Back And Forth With Nicki Minaj Over Super Bowl Decision

Stephen A Smith had some things to get off of his chest after Nicki Minaj went off on Jay-Z after he selected Kendrick Lamar as the featured halftime performer at the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans.

The 41-year-old unleashed a profanity-laced tirade and insults directed towards Jay-Z.

Smith took issue with how Minaj addressed Jay-Z, which Smith characterized as blatantly disrespectful.

“Every time we turn around, it’s something, Nicki,” Smith railed. “You disagree with the decision … but you have to talk to a brother like that?”

Stephen A Smith says Jay-Z should be credited for getting more R&B and hip-hop stars performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show than ever before.

“Do you know how hard it is for a Black man to pull off what JAY-Z has pulled off?” Smith asked rhetorically. “How unappreciative can you be?

Nicki caught wind of Smith’s comments and fired back with some choice words.