Super Bowl Halftime Producer Praises Kendrick Lamar

Some may be displeased by Kendrick Lamar’s headliner spot at the upcoming Super Bowl; however, the show’s producers are not.

Jesse Collins, one of the executive producers of the Super Bowl halftime show, recently defended choosing Lamar over Lil Wayne. He noted the younger rapper was the right choice for the event.

The producer revealed that one of Hip-Hop’s most influential stars significantly influenced the choice. Thanks to the individual’s skill in picking the right artists for the show, it was a no-brainer to follow his lead.

In a recent interview, Collins opened up about the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show in February 2025. He became an executive producer of the live event in 2021, joining Jay-Z and his Roc Nation team behind the helm.

While many expected Lil Wayne to headline the show, which would take place in his native city of New Orleans, Collins noted Lamar was the right choice. He stressed that the decision wasn’t biased, saying:

“We love Wayne. 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.”

“I know Kendrick is going to work exceptionally hard to deliver an amazing show,” Collins told Variety before sharing more about the person who made the final decision. 

Collins revealed that the artists who headline the annual halftime show were chosen by none other than Jay-Z. He noted the board follows his decision based on his impressive track record, saying:

“It’s a decision that Jay makes. Since we’ve been on board with that show, he’s made it every year, and it’s been amazing. He’s always picked right!”

Additionally, Collins revealed that the preparations for the upcoming halftime show were underway. He noted his team would fly out to New Orleans on Tuesday to meet with Lamar’s reps.

“It’s our first time with the artist team. We’ve actually been a few times already in preparation, but since the announcement, it’s the first time Kendrick’s team and us will all come together,” Collins shared.

Collins’ revelations about the Super Bowl Halftime show come at the heels of Lil Wayne’s comments about losing the headliner spot. The Blast reported the rapper expressed disappointment in an emotional video, confessing:

“That hurt, hurt a whole lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a let-down and for just automatically putting myself mentally in that position like somebody told me that was my position.”

Wayne admitted that he had mentally placed himself on the Super Bowl stage, especially with the event happening in his hometown of New Orleans. Losing the spot was a significant blow to the artist, who admitted:

“I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city. So it hurt, it hurt a whole lot.”

Despite the crushing pain of losing the headliner spot, Wayne remained grateful to fans for the outpour of love and support. “Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back,” he confessed.

“And when I felt like sh-t, you guys reminded me that I ain’t sh-t without y’all. And that’s an amazing reality. It broke me, and I’m just trying to put me back together,” the rapper continued.

Wayne admitted that it felt like he had disappointed fans by not securing the headliner spot. Nonetheless, he assured them he would work on himself and push forward.

Wayne’s reaction to the Super Bowl headline spot followed the announcement of Lamar’s position in the show. The latter addressed the mixed reactions to the news in a powerful statement, declaring:

“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why they got the right one.”

Jay-Z echoed similar sentiments in a statement, hailing Lamar as “a once-in-a-generation artist and performer.” He emphasized the rapper’s unparalleled influence in the industry, noting his transcending music and ability to shape cultural landscapes worldwide.

Will Kendrick Lamar prove he is the right choice at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, or will fans cry out for Lil Wayne?