(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
In the last week, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne have been at the center of conversations surrounding the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show. Fans, celebrities, and even Tunechi have shared their disappointment with Wayne not being the headliner of the New Orleans gig. Jay-Z’s name and role with the NFL have also been a part of the conversation. Now, the halftime show’s producer, Jesse Collins, has publicly supported Jay’s decision-making.
In a profile piece released on Monday (Sept. 16) by Variety, Jesse Collins opened up about the halftime show reactions. He notably mentioned Jay-Z and Kendrick, showing them love for a show he predicts will be a hit.
According to the outlet, Collins has been an executive producer of the SB show since 2021. He joined the spectacle’s production team nearly two years after Jay and Roc Nation signed on to consult on the league’s halftime headliners in August 2019. Jesse confirmed that Jay-Z calls the plays, and he supports them, including K. Dot’s upcoming performance.
“Its a decision that Jay makes,” Collins told Variety. “Since weve been on board with that show, hes made it every year, and its been amazing. Hes always picked right!”
Additionally, Jesse Collins addressed Wayne and his fans’ disappointment in the headliner pick. He asserted that there’s no agenda against the ‘Lollipop’ superstar and that Kendrick will eat the stage up!
“We love Wayne,” Collins reportedly said. “Theres always Vegas odds on whos going to get to perform it. But I think were going to do an amazing show with Kendrick, and I think everybodys going to love the halftime show. I know Kendrick is going to work exceptionally hard to deliver an amazing show.”
Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj seemed to find a kii in Jeese’s comments to Variety. The ‘Pink Friday 2’ artist dropped a laughing emoji in reaction to an X post featuring what Collins said.
As suggested, folks have been divided on the selected headliner for the 2025 gig for over a week. Some, like Master P and Nas, have celebrated Kendrick andanticipated his performance. Meanwhile, others, like Nicki Minaj, Birdman, andWayne’s manager, have taken Wayne’s lack of inclusion in the show as a dismissal of his legacy. As mentioned, even Wayne expressed his disappointmentwith not receiving the opportunity.
The NOLA native said not being chosen as the headliner “hurt a whole lot.” Furthermore, he blamed himself for not being “mentally prepared” to be let down. However, Lil Wayne didn’t directly name-drop Kendrick in his message.
“I thought that nothing was better than that spot, and that stage and that platform in my city. So that hurt, hurt a whole lot. But yall are f***ing amazing. It made me feel like sh*t not getting this opportunity, and when I felt like sh*t, you guys reminded me that I aint sh*t without yall.
Kendrick Lamar has yet to openly comment on the mixed reactions to his secured gig. His fanbase seems to think he’s still focused on pressing his foot into Drake’s neck. Last week, he released an untitled track, expressing disgust with the state of the culture and music and affirming his refusal to reconcile.
