Nicki Minaj wants to make it clear that her defense of Lil Wayne’s exclusion from the Super Bowl LIX halftime show lineup does not mean she is dismissing Kendrick Lamar’s talent and accomplishments. In a series of tweets on Monday evening, Minaj emphasized that it’s possible to respect and appreciate both artists:
“You can love and respect Kendrick and still love and respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves and respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves and respects Wayne.”
Minaj’s Initial Rant
Minaj’s initial comments targeted JAY-Z and Roc Nation, accusing them of “punishing” Lil Wayne due to their alleged disdain for Minaj herself, Drake, and Birdman. Many fans felt that Lil Wayne, being a native of New Orleans, would have been the ideal choice for the upcoming Super Bowl’s location. Others argued that Lamar was selected based on the success of his recent single “Not Like Us.”
Addressing Backlash
Shortly after her initial tweets, a Twitter user accused Minaj of backtracking due to pushback from her label, Republic Records. However, Minaj clarified that she always speaks her mind without fear:
“If they did call me, I [definitely] didn’t get the call, [child]. Maybe they left a [voicemail]. You must [really] not know Oniqua hungry pie.”
She further emphasized the importance of being able to express oneself freely, stating:
“This [really] just shows that you’re caged and have never been able to simply do and say as you please [without] any fear — other than the fear of God — stopping you.”
Promoting Upcoming Projects
Minaj also took the opportunity to promote her upcoming “Pink Friday 2 World Tour,” which kicked off in Washington, D.C. on Monday night and will continue with stops in Cleveland, Birmingham, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas before the month is up. The tour will feature guest appearances from Tyga, Skillibeng, and BIA on select dates.
Additionally, Minaj’s highly anticipated album, Pink Friday 2: Gag City Reloaded, is set to be released on September 13. In a recent TikTok Live, she teased that the project could contain fan-favorite leaks and a few “surprise features,” though the official tracklist has not been shared yet.
Chad is a professional journalist specializing in Hip-Hop culture and writing music reviews.
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