Lil Wayne Performs Medley of Career Hits at SNL 50th Anniversary After Expressing Disappointment over Super Bowl Exclusion

Mar. 15, 2025

Lil Wayne.Photo:NBC

NBC

Lil Wayneis celebratingSaturday Night Liveat Studio 8H with his greatest hits.

Wayne’s appearancecomes months after he expressed major disappointment for not being chosen to perform at the 2025 Super Bowl during its Apple Music Halftime Show.

Lil Wayne.NBC

WhenKendrick Lamarwas announced as the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show performer in September, Wayne, a New Orleans native, was vocal about not being chosen.

“It hurt a whole lot,“Wayne said in an Instagram video days later. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position.”

“But I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt,” he added. Wayne also addressed his fans, thanking them for their support.

“It made me feel like s— not getting this opportunity, and when I felt like s—, you guys reminded me that I ain’t s— without y’all, and that’s an amazing reality.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Wayne revealed in Decemberthat he and Lamar, 37, had spoken about any halftime show beef. “I’ve spoken to him and I wished him all the best and told him [he] better kill it.”

Adding: “I understand those words. Like I said, I think he just means that he made it there and his hard work is the reason why he made it there, and… letting me down is just me being upset and disappointed about not getting that spot.”

The week of the Super Bowl,the rapper teased “something very special."“Y’all know I’m not going to be there this week, which means I guess there’s a seat to fill,” Wayne said in his Instagram Stories.

“Shout out to New Orleans, but I’ve been working on something very special. I got something exciting coming for you Thursday, the 6th. Until then… I’m chillin’.”

SNL50: The Anniversary Specialaired live on Sunday, Feb. 16, on NBC and Peacock.

source: people.com