Grammy-award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar has seemingly responded to the Super Bowl controversy through his unexpected 12-track album “GNX,” causing a stir among hip-hop enthusiasts.

In the introductory track “wacced out murals,” the Compton, California native mentioned Lil Wayne and the widespread reaction to the news that he will be headlining the 2025 Apple Music halftime show next February.

The NFL’s choice has ignited a lively discussion online among fans and music critics about whether he was a better fit than the “A Milli” artist, who hails from New Orleans, where Super Bowl 59 will be held.

“Used to bump ‘Tha Carter III,’ I held my Rollie chain proud/ Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down,” Lamar denounced in his lyrics.

In another verse, he expressed his feelings openly: “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me/ All these (expletive) agitated/ I’m just glad it’s on their faces/ Quite frankly, plenty artist but they outdated/ Old (expletive) flows trying to convince me that you they favorite.”

Lil Wayne expresses hurt over Super Bowl selection

Lil Wayne openly shared his disappointment about not being picked for the Super Bowl in an Instagram Live video shortly after the announcement in September.

“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for just automatically mentally putting myself in that position,” the iconic rapper said. “I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that stage, that platform, in my city. So it hurt, it hurt a whole lot.”

“It broke me,” he continued, mentioning, “But my God, have you all helped me?”

Wayne reiterated his sentiments during his sold-out Lil Weezyana Fest earlier this month at the Smoothie King Center, expressing he had always envisioned performing at the Super Bowl in front of his mother.

“I worked my (expletive) off to get that (expletive) position. It was taken away from me. But this… moment right here, they can’t take that,” he said to a roaring crowd.

Lamar continues to dominate the charts

Lamar unexpectedly shared a link to his latest project on Friday at noon ET. This album is part of his ongoing success in 2024, riding the wave of his highly publicized rap battle with Drake and the triumph of his hit diss track “Not Like Us,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured five Grammy nominations.

He also made headlines following his historic Juneteenth performance, “The Pop Out—Ken & Friends,” during which he prominently featured the song multiple times.

The sold-out concert was described by critics as a celebratory “victory lap” for his city in light of the rap conflict, featuring appearances from artists like YG, Roddy Rich, and the group Black Hippy.

“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” noted the NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky, during the halftime show announcement. “Time and again, Kendrick has demonstrated his unique talent for crafting moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop.”