Music News

Get ready to talk about the Super Bowl halftime show some more. During a new interview, Super Bowl halftime producer Jesse Collins was asked about the controversy surrounding Kendrick Lamar‘s pick as headliner and the supposed snub of New Orleans native Lil Wayne.

“We love Wayne,” Collins told Variety when the subject was raised. “There’s always Vegas odds on who’s going to get to perform it. But I think we’re going to do an amazing show with Kendrick, and I think everybody’s going to love the halftime show. I know Kendrick is going to work exceptionally hard to deliver an amazing show.”

He then shed some light on who gets final say, ultimately revealing that it’s Jay-Z who makes the call, with his Roc Nation serving as halftime co-producer. “It’s a decision that Jay makes,” he said. “Since we’ve been onboard with that show, he’s made it every year, and it’s been amazing. He’s always picked right!”

With this season’s Super Bowl being in New Orleans for a record-tying 11th time, many expected Lil Wayne to get the call. After some of his peers came to his defense, the Young Money boss posted a video expressing his disappointment, saying not being chosen to perform “broke” him and that he blamed himself for assuming he was going to be picked.

Jay has been at the center of this decision, with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Birdman blaming his complicated relationship with both Cash Money and Young Money over the years as the reason behind the “snub.”

Back in 2019, Jay-Z and Roc Nation entered a partnership with the NFL that would task the mogul and his team with being the league’s “live music entertainment strategist” and to assist in social justice reform initiatives.

Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — made his return to China for his first performance in 16 years on Sunday (Sept. 15) alongside Ty Dolla $ign.

It was a family affair in Haikou, China. West brought his wife Bianca Censori, all four of his children and his ex Kim Kardashian with him for the show. North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm even hit the Wuyuan River Sports Stadium stage with their dad for a performance of his fan-favorite shelved Vultures track “Everybody.”

Eldest daughter North West and her furry hat led the charge as she held hands with her siblings through the fake amber high-grass field making up the stage. Fans cheered on the family reunion while singing along to the Backstreet Boys-sampling chorus sang by Charlie Wilson. “Goosebumps,” one person replied.

West also revealed plans for his next solo album, debuting a heavenly new track at the Haikou show titled “Preacher Man.”

It appears Ye and the team could be extending their stay in China as rumors of a second show have circulated in Haikou on social media slated for Saturday night (Sept. 21).

West bringing his kids on stage to perform isn’t too unfamiliar to his audience. He previously had North join him at his Vultures listening experience in Paris back in February, which saw her sing along to her “Talking” track on the Vultures album.

“Talking” debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Kim Kardashian congratulated her daughter on the accomplishment, which saw her become one of the youngest acts ever to hit the Hot 100. “My baby,” she wrote to her Instagram Story.

West is busy outside of his own music as well. He appears to have a hand in Playboi Carti’s upcoming Music album. Carti shouted-out Yeezy while hyping his LP on social media last week.

“@Ye KANT WAIT 2 SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE BEEN WORKIN ON WIT DIS ALBUM WE DA REAL 5L NO DOUBT,” he wrote over a photo of the “All Red” cover art.

Check out fan-captured clips from West’s Haikou show below: