Super Bowl halftime producer Jesse Collins, recently addressed the outrage over Kendrick Lamar’s selection as this season’s headliner.
In an interview with Variety, Collins was asked about the controversy specifically the snub of New Orleans native Lil Wayne, whom many thought would be a natural choice for the performance.
Collins talked highly of Wayne, saying, “We love Wayne,” but he was confident in his decision to highlight Lamar. “There’s always Vegas odds on who’s going to get to perform it. But I think we’re going to do an amazing show with Kendrick, and I think everybody’s going to love the halftime show,” he said.
Collins additionally shed light on the decision-making process, stating that Jay-Z and his Roc Nation hold massive power over who plays at the Super Bowl halftime show.
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“It’s a decision that Jay makes,” Collins explained. “Since we’ve been onboard with that show, he’s made it every year, and it’s been amazing. He’s always picked right!”
Jay-Z’s job comes from his 2019 partnership with the NFL, which tasked him with managing the league’s live music entertainment and assisting with social justice reform initiatives. Since then, he has played a key role in picking each year’s halftime show headliner.
With this year’s Super Bowl taking place in New Orleans, many fans and colleagues expected Lil Wayne to be chosen for the highly anticipated performance.
After hearing the news, Wayne shared his disappointment in a video post, saying the snub “broke” him. He admitted to assuming he would be selected, adding that he blamed himself for the oversight.
Several artists, including Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, and Birdman, defended Wayne, claiming that Jay-Z’s complicated relationship with both Cash Money and Young Money may have influenced the decision.
While the controversy continues, Collins assured fans that Lamar will deliver a spectacular show. “I know Kendrick is going to work exceptionally hard to deliver an amazing show,” he said.
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