The bond between Drake and Lil Wayne remains as strong as ever, with Drake publicly showing support for his mentor following the controversy over the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show lineup. Despite the uproar from the hip-hop community over Weezy’s exclusion, Drake posted several photos of Lil Wayne on his Instagram Story on September 10, including a memorable shot from Wayne’s “A Milli” video. This gesture appears to be Drake’s way of standing in solidarity with Wayne, who was passed over in favor of Kendrick Lamar for the big game set to take place in New Orleans on February 9, 2025.

Drake’s post didn’t include any commentary, but the message was clear to many fans. The decision to not feature Lil Wayne has sparked significant backlash from fellow artists and fans. Nicki Minaj, another Young Money star, voiced her frustration on Twitter, accusing the decision-makers of letting personal grudges against Birdman, Drake, and Nicki cloud their judgment. “Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good,” Minaj tweeted.

Master P, Cam’ron, and Mase have also expressed their disappointment with the choice, arguing that Wayne deserves recognition, especially given the Super Bowl’s New Orleans location. Earlier this year, Lil Wayne admitted his desire to perform at the Super Bowl in his hometown. “I will not lie to you, I have not got a call,” he shared on YG’s 4Hunnid podcast in February. “But we all praying, we keeping our fingers crossed. I’m working hard. I’m going to make sure this next album and everything I do is killer, so I’m going to make it very hard for them to … I want to just make it hard for them not to highlight the boy