On November 22, 2024, Kendrick Lamar again shook the culture with his surprise album GNX. For hip-hop heads still breaking down every metaphor and double entendre, one line in particular sent shockwaves through the scene. On the album’s opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” Kendrick drops a bar that feels heavy with layers of admiration and disappointment:
“Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.”
It’s a line that slices deep if you know your history—Kendrick paying homage to Tha Carter III, an album that defined a generation while weaving in a subtle, introspective jab. But is this respect or a nudge at the throne? Kendrick knows how to play chess with words and pokes at one of the culture’s GOATs. And if there’s one thing about Lil Wayne—he’s not one to let subliminals slide.
Wayne didn’t sit silent for long. Taking to social media, Weezy delivered a response that blended confusion, confidence, and a warning shot all in one breath:
“Man, wtf I do?! I just be chillin & dey still come for my head. Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. I beg u all. No one really wants destruction, not even me, but I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love.”
And just when fans thought the dust might settle, Wayne doubled down in an interview, addressing Kendrick’s name drop head-on. Speaking on GNX, Wayne said:
“This was my first time hearing that, but no explanation needed. I understand those words.”
He also revealed that he and Kendrick had a personal conversation about the situation:
“Yeah, we spoke on the phone & I wished him all the best, so he better kll it!”*
Let’s break it down—this is peak Wayne. He’s playing it cool, shrugging off Kendrick’s line like it’s nothing… while lowkey reminding everyone that he’s still him. This is the same man who claimed to have never written a lyric but changed the game off the dome. It’s cocky, it’s calculated, and it’s a warning to anyone testing his place in the culture.
And for the real ones paying attention, this isn’t just about a bar—Wayne’s been feeling some way since that Super Bowl LIX halftime show announcement.
When the NFL announced that Kendrick Lamar would headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, fans across the globe were hyped. But some couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room: How do you bring the biggest stage to Lil Wayne’s hometown without putting him front and center?
Wayne has never been shy about how much that hurt. He previously called the snub a “personal blow,” for a city that bleeds his music, it’s hard to argue against him. From the Dedication tapes to Tha Carter III, Wayne is New Orleans. For some fans, Kendrick’s Super Bowl nod felt like a missed opportunity to honor Wayne’s decades of dominance in the game.
So when Kendrick’s GNX dropped, with that line sitting there like a spark to dry timber, it hit differently.
Naturally, the fanbase is split.
Kendrick’s fans see the GNX line as quintessential K.Dot: thoughtful, layered, and provocative. Kendrick’s been known to challenge his idols—ask Jay-Z about Control or the whole rap game about The Heart Part V. With Kendrick grabbing the Super Bowl spotlight, his supporters see it as another chapter in his legendary storytelling and ascension.
But for Wayne’s loyalists, this feels personal. Wayne’s impact on hip-hop is untouchable—no mixtape era, no SoundCloud wave, no modern rap blueprint exists without Tunechi. To many, Kendrick’s line stings like a backhanded compliment, and with Wayne already feeling slighted by the Super Bowl snub, it’s got fans ready to ride for the Carter King.
Nicki Minaj, Birdman, and other close collaborators have already stepped in to back Wayne, publicly reminding everyone of his GOAT status. When legacy and lyrical competition intersect like this, you know the culture’s about to heat up.
With Kendrick’s pen sharp as ever and Wayne making it clear that he’s still ready to “destroy if disturbed,” the question becomes: Are we about to witness a lyrical heavyweight clash?
Kendrick’s got the Super Bowl stage waiting for him, and Wayne’s got a fire in his belly. Hip-hop thrives on competition, and this feels like the spark that could ignite something epic. Both men are too legendary to let this moment pass without leaving a mark.
So whether Wayne picks up the mic or Kendrick drops another layer of lyrical genius, one thing’s for sure: the culture’s eyes are locked in. Let the giant sleep? Nah. The real ones know that when the giants wake, that’s when the magic happens.
