In a recent episode of CBS’s The Talk, 50 Cent expressed support for Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming performance at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, highlighting Lamar’s status as a leading solo artist. This decision, announced by Jay-Z, stirred backlash among some artists, particularly from Nicki Minaj and Cam’ron, who believe Lil Wayne deserved the spot due to the event’s New Orleans location. Wayne himself admitted to feeling “broken” after being overlooked. 50 Cent suggested that Lamar should include featured artists from his biggest hits during the performance. He also discussed the ongoing rivalry between Lamar and Drake, asserting that their competitive nature fosters creativity and quality in the hip-hop scene. The tension between the two rappers escalated recently, prompting a series of diss tracks that reflect the complexities of their relationship and the broader hip-hop landscape.

50 Cent has expressed his support for Kendrick Lamar, stating that he “deserves” to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in 2025. This comment follows a wave of reactions from fans and artists after Jay-Z, who collaborates with the NFL through his company Roc Nation to select halftime performers, announced that Kendrick Lamar would be the star of the event set to take place in New Orleans next February.

The announcement has sparked criticism from some fellow rappers, including Nicki Minaj and Cam’ron, who feel that Jay-Z’s choice overlooks New Orleans native Lil Wayne. Wayne had previously shared his anticipation about potentially being chosen for the gig. During a recent episode of CBS’s The Talk, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, weighed in on the discussion, saying, “It was a choice, and I think Kendrick deserves it. As a solo artist right now, he’s the guy.” He acknowledged the potential for Wayne to be considered for the spot, given the game’s location.

Lil Wayne addressed the situation in an Instagram video, expressing his feelings of disappointment at not being selected, stating, “That hurt. It hurt a lot… I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown.” He also noted that the disappointment was heightened because the event would be held in his hometown.

50 Cent went on to suggest that Lamar should consider bringing on artists who have collaborated with him on major tracks, similar to the ensemble performance of the 2022 halftime show which included himself, Dr. Dre, Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg. When asked about the ongoing rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, 50 Cent commented that it’s beneficial for the hip-hop culture, as their competition has led both artists to produce high-quality music more quickly.

He remarked, “That competitive nature made them go work and have responses. Hip-hop is a genre where you have to continuously create and keep up with other artists.” Recently, Lamar stirred excitement among fans with his feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like That,” where he seemed to take jabs at rap competitors Drake and J. Cole.

In a swift response, Drake put out “Family Matters,” addressing Lamar’s critiques, suggesting that Lamar’s stance on pro-Black activism is hypocritical, and accusing him of other controversies. The ongoing tension between these prominent figures in hip-hop continues to capture the attention of fans and artists alike.