LL Cool J wants Lil Wayne and the world to know: Let Kendrick Lamar have his moment.
The hip-hop icon spoke about the halftime of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans surrounding Lil Wayne during an honest discussion with host Fat Joe on the latest episode of Fat Joe Talks Controversy over being eliminated from a show.
LL Cool J clarified that while Lil Wayne is a top talent, timing is important.
“Lil Wayne is one of the most talented people on the planet. Period. He’s one of our great artists,” LL emphasized the rapper’s influence. “He’s going to have his day. Let Kendrick understand that. Let’s move on.
The Super Bowl halftime show is an event filled with anticipation and often a bone of contention among artists and fans.
This year, the spotlight is on Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, who will take the stage at the 2024 championship.
The news has some questioning why veteran rapper Lil Wayne has yet to claim a spot on the iconic stage — especially in his hometown.
Even Lil Wayne expressed disappointment with the decision.
“I blame myself for not being prepared for disappointment and just automatically putting myself in that position; like someone told me that was where I stood,” Wayne said. “But I think there’s nothing like it. That stage and that platform in my city. So it hurts. It really hurts,” Lil Wayne said.
For LL Cool J, timing is less personal and more about understanding the opportunity cycles within the industry.
“Look, your time is coming,” LL added, looking back on Lil Wayne’s accomplishments. “You’re going to have time. You can’t let it get you down. The only reason it makes me laugh is because I know how lucky he is. I know how successful he is. So he doesn’t need to worry about that moment. It’s just a moment. Man. It just happened.
He reassured that despite Lil Wayne’s snub, his influence and legacy remain solid.
Drawing on his own experience, LL Cool J reflects on how long it took him to achieve accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“It felt like it took me 999,000 times to get in,” LL joked, explaining that he remained poised throughout the process. “These are champagne issues. Some people can’t listen to their demos. So, I think we’re a little bit spoiled, sometimes unintentionally.
This interview is part of Fat Joe’s STARZ weekly series “Fat Joe Talks,” which features candid and in-depth discussions.
