New Orleans Artists Enlisted For Super Bowl Pregame Performances Following Lil Wayne Controversy

The announcement of the additional performances was made through the NFL and Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s company that helps the NFL with live music entertainment for its events, especially the Super Bowl.

“We’re honored to work with this year’s pregame lineup to celebrate the rich musical legacy of New Orleans and the entire state,” Seth Dudowsky, head of music at the NFL, said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The Super Bowl is a rare moment to unite fans around the world, and this year’s performers will bring the energy, soul and vibrant sounds of the region to a global stage, as we kick off Super Bowl LIX with a celebration to remember.”

The news comes after backlash that came about when Lamar was revealed to be the halftime performer for the 2025 Super Bowl, which takes place on February 9 at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome.

Critics of the announcement brought up the fact that Lamar, a West Coast rapper, was tapped for the notable opportunity, instead of someone native to New Orleans, particularly Wayne.

The “A Milli” rapper even expressed disappointment on the matter, saying that not being picked “hurt a lot.”

“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown,” he said in a video posted on Instagram in September. “And for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position. So I blame myself for that. But I thought that was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt. It hurt a whole lot.”