After being dragged online with JAY-Z and other National Football League execs amid mounting headliner criticism, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is “feeling great” about the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans and is “absolutely” a fan of Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar.
As we previously shared, on Sunday (September 8), JAY-Z’s Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL announced Kendrick Lamar as the headliner of Super Bowl LIX, which is currently scheduled to be played on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome and set to air on Fox.
Speaking on the amazing feat, Lamar said, “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. What’s the deal, everybody? My name’s Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl 59. Will you be pulling up? I hope so. You know there’s only one opportunity to win a championship, no round twos… I wouldn’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans, February 9, 2025. Wear your best dress too, even if you’re watching from home.”
Commenting on Kendrick Lamar being chosen to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Roc Nation founder JAY-Z said, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Despite the praises from HOV, handfuls of social users criticized the decision, including Lil Wayne’s longtime engineer and co-manager, Fabian Marasciullo, Wayne’s Cash Money mentor Birdman, his Young Money signee Nicki Minaj, and even his daughter Reginae Carter spoke out.
Others to speak out, both negatively and objectively were Punch, the founder of Kendrick Lamar’s former label TDE, rapper Pusha T, NOLA native and rap legend Master P, New York rappers Cam’Ron and MA$E, Baton Rouge, Louisiana native and rap legend Boosie Badazz, and Shreveport, Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris.
Another person to criticize the decision of having Kendrick Lamar headline the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, was NOLA rapper Juvenile, who is a Cash Money signee and Hot Boys group member. However, Juvenile didn’t attack JAY-Z, instead, he directed his halftime show headliner criticism towards NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Taking to his Instagram on Monday (September 9), he shared a video and said, “Everybody wants me to speak on this Super Bowl situation. Look, I’m mad about the situation just like y’all, man, but, you know, my hatred is towards the NFL, not really the people that booked the halftime show.”
He continued, “I’m mad at the people that hired the motherf***ers that booked the halftime show. I feel like y’all should step in. Y’all done threw 11 Super Bowls in New Orleans, man. Y’all have yet to put a Hip-Hop artist from New Orleans on the damn Super Bowl. Sure, y’all have put artists on the Super Bowl back in the days … but not too many.”
He added, “I feel like every time y’all come here, y’all should have somebody from my city on this sh*t. But, this time, it really hit hard when you don’t have Lil Wayne on the show. I don’t see how the f**k y’all don’t have Lil Wayne doing the Halftime Show. Somebody that has a whole bunch of f***ing hits, somebody that really deserves it, and somebody that can bring out multiple artists of all genres. Think about it.”
Juvenile called out Roger Goodell and said, “So, this goes to you Roger Goodell, you need to get it right, man. You’re coming in our city, sucking up our culture, and making up all this money, and putting all of this bread in your pocket, putting all this bread in other people’s pockets, and leaving us dry, hanging us dry. It gotta stop.”
Now, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reveals how excited he is for the 2025 Super Bowl and Halftime Show amid all of the mounting criticism of Kendrick Lamar headlining the big football event.
On Wednesday (September 11), Roger Goodell and his wife Jane Goodell were walking around New York City when paparazzi caught up with him. According to footage obtained by TMZ Sports, Goodell said he’s “feeling great” about next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show and said that he’s “absolutely” a fan of Kendrick Lamar. Despite being called out by other public figures and celebrities, he wasn’t asked about the controversy nor did he offer any other comments.
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!