The NFL has announced a powerhouse lineup for the pregame entertainment at Super Bowl LIX, set for Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Celebrating the rich musical heritage of Louisiana, performances will feature New Orleans natives Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, and Ledisi.
Jon Batiste, a five-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist, will perform the national anthem. Known for his dynamic work as a composer and performer, Batiste’s roots in New Orleans and his genre-blending artistry make him a fitting choice to kick off the game.
Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle will collaborate on “America the Beautiful,” blending their distinct styles in a powerful performance that embodies the spirit of Louisiana. Ledisi will deliver an inspiring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” showcasing her soulful command and deep ties to New Orleans’ vibrant culture.
In addition, Super Bowl LIX will include American Sign Language (ASL) performances by Stephanie Nogueras, Otis Jones IV, and Matt Maxey, ensuring inclusivity across all festivities.
This year’s celebration precedes a halftime performance by Kendrick Lamar, promising a dynamic blend of music and culture for fans worldwide. For more details, visit SuperBowl.com.
Lil Wayne may have not gotten the hometown Super Bowl halftime show he wanted next year, but New Orleans will never stop reciprocating that love and passion. Moreover, according to NBC WDSU 6, he will receive the key to the city during his Lil Weezyana Fest at the Smoothie King Center today (Saturday, November 2), a festival that promotes local talent and uplifts his community. NOLA’s mayor, LaToya Cantrell will present Tunechi with the honor, whereas Master P will honor him with a career achievement award. Wayne’s never been one to miss out on his flowers ever since he came up, but that doesn’t make their presence any less meaningful.
Furthermore, this comes as fans are demanding for Lil Wayne’s flowers over this whole Super Bowl halftime show debacle concerning Kendrick Lamar, who got the spot. However, some folks out there believe that K.Dot will actually reach out to him to perform alongside him, an offer that fellow Cash Money alums Juvenile and Mannie Fresh recently said they would accept if they got the call.
“Oh, we are there,” Juvenile expressed on Power 106‘s “Brown Bag Mornings.” “Kendrick is one of the best performers we’ve ever seen. […] In the hip-hop world, he raises the bar. So it’s something that everybody wants to see. And if he calls, I’m there.” “The thing is, the Internet makes something that it’s not,” Mannie Fresh added. “[They] feel like we took a side because we said, ‘It would be cool if [Lil Wayne] was in it.’ Of course we do, that’s our team. But, respectfully, Kendrick is, you know, he’s that dude.” They concluded by eliminating any rumors of shade towards Kendrick Lamar, but also by positing that Weezy’s campaign for the Super Bowl slot should at least warrant an olive branch.
Why an olive branch? Well, if you’re reading this from under a rock, Lil Wayne has a strong Young Money bond with Drake, who has a… not so friendly relationship with Kendrick Lamar these days. All that conversation aside, New Orleans will proudly rep Wayne as one of the greatest rappers not just from their city, but of all time.
The hip-hop world and beyond continues to debate the Super Bowl LIX halftime show controversy over Kendrick Lamar getting the headlining slot instead of Lil Wayne. No matter what your thoughts are on the subject, there are a lot of different ways in which this debacle could develop before New Orleans hosts the game on February 9, 2025. But what better place to look at than the source? Furthermore, NOLA native Big Freedia recently spoke to TMZ about the matter, sharing what he perceives as the city’s general reaction to fellow native Tunechi not getting the main slot. Check out the interview clip by clicking the “Via” link down below.
First off, Big Freedia posited with a smile and a laugh that he should’ve been the one to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. “I should be up there making them bounce,” he expressed. “But seriously, I don’t think that it was just, you know… People don’t really know, I guess, whose decision it was to have the headliner or whatever. And I think that, you know, me on the outside looking in, I think that Apple was the one who was able to pick the headliner because of that spot that Apple holds for the halftime show. A lot of people blamingJay-Z, a lot of people blaming this one and that one.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Kendrick Lamar performs in the Pepsi Halftime Show during the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“I think that it could be a collaboration effort for Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar to perform together,” Big Freedia continued. “Who knows, you know, where the show might end up? New Orleans is definitely sad that Lil Wayne is not the headliner. I think that they should have had some Southern artists for sure on the ticket. You know, I think the Cash Money and No Limit family should’ve definitely been involved. But who knows what’s going to happen with the days ahead?”
Then, Big Freedia elaborated on the chance that Kendrick Lamar may invite (or already invited) Lil Wayne to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show alongside him. “I think it would be a great gesture,” he shared. “And I think it would be a nice thing for Kendrick Lamar to do. I think he would definitely, you know, get his love from Louisiana and from down South if he was to make that happen.”
This debate between Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne for who deserved Super Bowl honors is starting to get a little too serious. We say that because New Orleans, Louisiana native Dee-1 is getting a lot of hate for his support of the former. As you are all aware by now, the city has been extremely upset with their hometown hero not receiving the honors. Obviously, no one likes seeing Weezy upset as he was in his first public address since the announcement. But some people are taking their anger too far to where they want to ban and warn residents of NOLA like Dee-1 to never come back home.
That’s just some of the backlash the Christian rapper has been receiving, according to HipHopDX. Dee-1 shared a compilation accompanied by a voice-over detailing what he’s been dealing with since showing K-Dot love. “This is why you should never love your city more than you love God. So, Kendrick Lamar shouted me out in his new song and honestly, it’s been life-changing already in the past 24 hours. That’s the elevation. At the same time comes the condemnation”, he begins.
“So now they got people – because they mad at my opinion at who should perform at the Super Bowl – so now they making diss tracks about me. They got people saying I’m canceled from the city. They got people saying I better not come back to the city. People I’m cool with making videos mad at what I’m standing on, when it’s the same thing I been standing on since y’all met me”. However, even though Dee-1 is being bombarded, he’s not going to let that change him. “Thankfully, I’m just gon’ keep being me, keep serving God. That’s what got me here. And Imma just be thankful for every part that comes along with this journey, no matter what it entails”.
What are your thoughts on Dee-1 getting all of this backlash for supporting Kendrick Lamar during the Super Bowl debate? Who was more valid, Dee-1 or the city of New Orleans? Do you think people are blowing this out of proportion overall? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Dee-1, Kendrick Lamar, and the Super Bowl. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Could you imagine that? If, instead of the thrilling performance we got in 2023, we got an aging pop-punk band whose peak of popularity came a decade and half before? According to some music and sports fans on social media, that’s exactly what should have happened.
In case you’ve missed the kerfuffle over the upcoming Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in 2025, here’s a quick recap: Kendrick Lamar is headlining, but some folks are big mad it isn’t Lil Wayne, because the Super Bowl is being held in Wayne’s hometown, New Orleans.
That’s the general idea of the outcry of the past couple of days, but in fact, the discourse has gotten… shall we say, a little more salty than the subject warrants — and also, a bit unhinged. Cam’ron and Mase are sharing conspiracy theories on their show, Nicki Minaj is crashing out on Twitter, Boosie is involved… it’s kind of a lot.
Especially when you consider one simple fact that none of these people appear to be considering: The Super Bowl has only had a hometown act as the headliner a handful of times in the whole history of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. There is no tradition being stepped on here; hometown acts don’t headline the Super Bowl.
Hell, hometown teams rarely even play in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl Halftime Show has never been the hometown celebration people are trying to make it out to be online. And if it was, there are artists from New Orleans that would be a far safer bet for the NFL.
Leaving aside Lil Wayne’s wild card status — he’s known for frequent show cancelations, sometimes right in the middle of a performance, while other times delivering some half-hearted renditions of fan faves and even admitting that he forgets his own lyrics — someone like Jon Batiste, a native of Metairie, Louisiana, would be a far more likely choice.
He’s got multigenerational appeal, his image and music are as non-threatening and party-ready as it gets, and he’s an Album Of The Year Grammy Award winner, who has composed for Disney, directed the music for late-night TV, and helps curate the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. He’s a showbiz superathlete.
Looking around the league, if hometown performers were actually a tradition, you’d have to go back and rewrite several of the most memorable performances of the last 30 years. Michael Jackson? Not from Los Angeles. Prince? Not from Miami. BEYONCÉ (you have to say it like Tiffany Pollard)??? Not from New Orleans (although her mama from Louisiana).
Even in the past half-decade, you’d have to replace Shakira and Jennifer Lopez with Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine (who previously performed in 1999, one of the only four hometown headliners at the Super Bowl), The Weeknd with Outlaws (basically the only non-metal band on the Tampa music acts Wiki page with any level of mainstream notoriety), Usher with Ne-Yo, and Rihanna with, yes, Jimmy Eat World. No offense to these alternatives, but you get the drift: The stage demands an equal level of popularity and a reliable selection of absolutely massive hits.
And look, we all loved seeing Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg rock out for their hometown crowd in LA in 2022, but keep in mind that these two are 30 years deep in careers that comprise at least three of the most pivotal records in hip-hop’s history, a branding empire encompassing everything from cooking shows with Martha Stewart to on-site Olympics coverage, and more identity changes than Spider-Man in the ’90s.
They also had to bring a slew of fellow stars, from 50 Cent and Eminem to Mary J. Blige and, yes, Kendrick Lamar to expand their show’s appeal past California hip-hop heads in their ’50s. Because, yes, there are stadiums with 50,000 people to entertain, but the Super Bowl is a national event, averaging well over 120 million viewers. Those 50,000 attendees — many of whom aren’t even from the host cities in the first place — are a drop in the bucket compared to all the viewers tuning in at home.
So, yes, the NFL has greater priorities than simply paying homage to host cities’ hometown heroes. The whole reason the halftime show exists in its current form is because someone figured out pop stars keep viewers from changing the channel better than marching bands. So while it’ll be nice if Lil Wayne or Juvenile or Trombone Shorty or Big Freedia pop out during Kendrick’s set, Kendrick is headlining for a whole lot of good reasons — none of which were ever hometown pride.
Kendrick Lamar has really been at the center of rap controversy in 2024. He was the consensus winner of the Drake battle, and now he’s set to perform at the Superbowl Halftime Show in 2025. It makes a lot of sense, frankly. Lamar is bigger than ever, having just scored the most significant single of his career. That hasn’t stop the rest of the rap community from criticizing his selection, though. Many have come out and stated that Lil Wayne should have been picked, given that his hometown of New Orleans is the location of the next Super Bowl. Big Boy is one of them.
The legendary radio host sat down with TMZ to discuss the controversial snubbing. Big Boy did not mince words when it came to his thoughts on the matter. He felt Lil Wayne should have been chosen to represent New Orleans. Furthermore, he thinks there’s some fishy things going on behind the scenes. He didn’t mention anybody by name, but JAY-Z and Roc Nation were ultimately the ones who made the final decision. “Something was done there,” Big Boy asserted. “I feel like there’s some people, getting back to the Super Bowl, saying, ‘There’s something there. There’s a reason why.’ And I don’t think people are so far off.”
The radio host also told TMZ that dismissed the notion that Lil Wayne is not relevant enough to play the Halftime Show. He pointed to Wayne’s legacy, his catalog, and the fact that he still appears on popular songs today. Furthermore, Wayne would have been able to call upon Young Money proteges like Drake and Nicki Minaj to make special appearances. “You don’t have to dig Wayne up,” Big Boy stated. “You don’t have to say, ‘Hey, remember Lil Wayne? Like, we need to get someone from New Orleans.’” The radio legend proceeded to dub Weezy the definitive New Orleans artist. “He’s that guy,” Big Boy said. “Young Money was that group.”
Big Boy’s sentiments have been shared by other big names like Master P and Cam’ron. The decision to go with Lamar, however, has fueled speculation that JAY-Z is less friendly with the Young Money camp than the public initially thought. By choosing Lamar, JAY-Z has slighted both Lil Wayne and Drake, who will undoubtedly be a focus of Lamar’s Super Bowl performance. It may have been inadvertent, but the fans have seen JAY-Z wield his power to throw digs at other artists. It’s not proven, but it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibility.
Master P wants Kendrick Lamar to bring out Lil Wayne for his headlining set during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The NFL announced the “Not Like Us” rapper will be performing at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, as the league kicked off Week 1 of the 2024 season. “Salute to Kendrick Lamar for performing at the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX.. well deserved,” the legendary rapper wrote on Instagram in response to the news. “He’s one of the hottest music artists in the world and has one of the biggest songs right now.”
He continued: “As Ambassador of Entertainment in the City of New Orleans I have to agree with the fans that Lil Wayne should be a part of this celebration as well. He’s one of the greatest Hip Hop artists alive, still relevant and he’s a New Orleans native. Let’s not miss this cultural moment in the South. Life is too short! We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here. #Godisgood Change starts with us.” He finished by tagging the NFL, JAY-Z, and the Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell.
Snoop Dogg (center) and Master P during Super Bowl XL – PlayStation Game Over Post-Super Bowl Party at GEM Theater in Detroit, Michigan, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli)
Master P isn’t the only hip-hop legend to comment on the announcement. JAY-Z, who will serve as a strategic entertainment advisor for the performance along with Roc Nation, also reacted to the news with a statement. “His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally,” he wrote. “Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.” Super Bowl LIX will kick off on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Master P Has An Idea For Super Bowl LIX
Check out Master P’s post about the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show below. Be on the lookout for further updates on Master P, Kendrick Lamar, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show on HotNewHipHop.
Recently, Birdman and Slim were honored in New Orleans with a street renaming ceremony, just in time for the 30th anniversary of Cash Money Records. The Saratoga St. and Erato St. intersection will now be called Williams Brothers Way to recognize the duo’s contributions to the music industry. Their mother operates a bar nearby, and the ceremony took place fairly close to the home they grew up in. They both were in attendance, alongside Juvenile, B.G., and more.
“As former mayor of New Orleans, I’m extremely proud of the street being named in honor of ‘Baby’ and ‘Slim,’ CEOs of Cash Money Records,” Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO explained in a press release. “Their contributions to the music industry and their impact on our community have been immense, shaping the cultural landscape and providing opportunities for countless artists that hail from the Crescent City.”
This isn’t the only way they plan to celebrate the label’s 30th anniversary, however. Birdman is also gearing up for a performance at Essence Fest this weekend. He’ll also be joined by various other artists from the label. He’s the only one confirmed so far, though fans are hoping for performances from Lil Wayne, B.G., and more.
“The most anticipated reunion goes down at this year’s ESSENCE Fest. You asked, and we delivered,” the festival’s official Instagram page announced earlier this year. “For the love of CULTURE, for the love of US. For the love of the 99’ and 2000 — The Takeover has begun. Your July 4th weekend plans have just been confirmed.” What do you think of Birdman and Slim being honored for their contributions to the music industry with a street in New Orleans? What about the upcoming Cash Money reunion at Essence Fest? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Master P is one of the most vocal basketball fans in all of hip-hop. His “Make ‘Em Say Ughh” video was set on a court, and he spent years playing professional ball for the CBA and ABA. He even spent a brief stint on the Toronto Raptors training camp roster. The man born Percy Miller has basketball in his blood, and he wants to put his passion to good use. He told TMZ that he wants to be considered for a coaching position with his hometown team, the New Orleans Pelicans. To describe him as “confident” would be an understatement.
The New Orleans Pelicans went 49-33 last season, but Master P is hopeful for the future. He thinks within a few years time that the team could be a legitimate contender. And he wants to join the ride. “I think we got a great team,” the rapper explained. “I just think that maybe we gotta wait a couple more years.” His solution for those wanted to see the team win ASAP? Hire him. P is so sure of his coaching skills that he promised the Pelicans would win an NBA title in 2025 if they made use of him as a coach. “Y’all need to put me on the coaching staff next year,” he asserted. “We gonna win the whole thing.”
Master P Has Wanted To Coach The Pelicans For Years
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JUNE 29: Rapper Master P at 2017 Essence Festival – Celebrity Charity Basketball Game at Xavier University Convocation Center on June 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Master P has been trying to coach the Pelicans for a half decade. He sang a similar tune to TMZ in 2020, when he noted that his experience as an entertainer would bring more eyes to the franchise. “The NBA is entertainment, I think it’s time for me to be the first hip-hop coach,” he claimed. “If they bring me in as a head coach or assistant coach, I think I can change the game.” He also spoke highly of Zion Williamson, who remains the Pelicans’ star player.
It’s ironic that Master P’s success as a rapper has put in such a powerful position, because it initially held him back in his basketball career. He claimed that his explicit lyrics made him a target when he played on the Charlotte Hornets training camp team. “The GM, Bob Bass, called me in and said, ‘You can play. You are a helluva basketball player, but your music is pure filth and it’s a Bible Belt city,’”, he recalled. “And they let me go.” Only time will tell if Master P’s Pelicans dream will come true.
Juvenile is a bonafide hip-hop legend. Through the timelessness of his classic records, he has helped to cement the legacy of New Orleans’ Cash Money era while enjoying a cross-generational appeal via the magic of social media. Juvenile stays ubiquitous – you cannot go to a major event, a club night or even listen to a new music release without hearing Juvie’s influence or actual music and lyrics.
On his 3rd or 4th wave now, Juvenile’s most recent reinvention outside music revolves around strategic hometown partnerships and products that result from his burgeoning passion for all things culinary, along with his innate entrepreneurial spirit. Current plans beyond his already popular Juvie Juice and savory Cheewee’s snacks include his own coffee, a line of sauces and more varieties of Juvie Juice.
We got the lowdown on everything Juvie has in the pipeline, along with his recommendations for New Orleans hot spots and local gems. Juvie has us covered when it comes to the top crawfish and gumbo in NOLA, what makes Ruth Chris’ in ‘Nawlins like no other, and his personal snack indulgence; pretzels and Snickers mixed.
Whether it’s getting healthy with Caesar Salads and Nature’s Own granola bars, hitting every Benihana possible, playing the “Juvie Card” to get some late-night eggs at Waffle House or polishing off that mini-bar Toblerone, Juvenile is a man who knows exactly what he likes and wants at any given time. And if Juvie tells you that you look like a Toblerone kind of guy, that just means he sees a little bit of himself in you – there may be no better compliment. Join us and get to know the legendary “Ha” emcee, unlike you’ve ever known him before.
Where are you today?
Oh, I’m at my little spot where I make my lamps and stuff in New Orleans.
When you’re on the road doing shows, what’s on your rider as far as food and drinks and snacks?
Most of the time it’s Popeyes Chicken, full service. I got to have the rice, the red beans. I want mild chicken. I’m going to always have my chips, of course, the 400 Degreez Snack Chips. My main thing would be the Popeyes. I got to have the Popeyes.
Is that like a bucket of dark, white, a little bit of everything?
I get mixed. I get it mixed, so it’s a little bit of everything.
When you’re in the studio creating, are there certain foods or snacks or drinks that you need to have in the studio to get in the right mind state?
In the studio, I got to have my D’Usse or some form of cognac. I got to have some cognac in there, and I definitely got to have my Juvie Juice ’cause I’m blending them. We make drinks, we make all kinds of drinks with the Juvie Juice.
What about from a food perspective? Are you ordering takeout?
Usually, when I’m at home, I want crawfish, man. I’m tweaking for some crawfish right now. Most of the time when I go to the studio out of town it would be some form of seafood. So it might be like a grilled fish or something like that, nothing heavy.
How do you like your crawfish prepared?
Oh, they got to come from Cajun’s on Claiborne, on North Claiborne, first of all, ’cause they got a few Cajuns in the city. I got one specifically that I go to, right? My crawfish, they come one way, they hot.
They hot, they real seasoned up. It’s everything. You know what I’m saying? You really got to have a liking for them because they real hot.
So do you like your food spicy in general, or is it just the crawfish?
No, it’s just the crawfish. When we say spicy in New Orleans, we mean spicy, we don’t mean spicy by pepper spicy. We mean a lot of seasoning, like a lot of vegetables and a lot of onions and bell peppers and stuff like that.
It sounds like you have a lot of big meals, but are you much of a snacker? Do you eat chips and cookies and candy and stuff like that?
Yeah, not a lot. I used to. I used to be a Snickers man but now I’m getting up in age, man, I don’t do too much junk (food), like I used to. But if I was to dive into some snacks, I like ice cream sandwiches.
What’s your go-to ice cream sandwich?
Strawberry Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich from, what’s the name of the ice cream place? I can’t think of the name right off the top of my head. I just walk in a damn store every other day and buy something. Why I can’t think of it? I got a big dude in here (who) can’t think of an ice cream place. Baskin? That’s it, Baskin-Robbins. Yeah, Baskin-Robbins.
Do you prefer sweets to chips and savory snacks?
I’m really a potato chip guy. I’ll be eating them Kettle Chips. I get the Kettle Chips from Whole Foods. I like Lay’s Kettle Chips. My brand, I’m a Kettle Chip head, and I’ll try some shit too when it’s Kettle Chips, honestly. I like the crunch.
They got the Zapp’s down in New Orleans.
Yeah. That’s the main reason I like Kettle Chips. I like all the Zapp’s, even though some of them are horrible, but I still eat them.
What’s the worst flavor of Zapp’s?
Probably the crawfish flavor, but I still eat them. If you give me a bag, I’m still going to eat them.
You’re a crawfish guy, how come you don’t like the crawfish chips?
It ain’t the consistency I’m looking for, but I ain’t trying to hear it on Zapp’s either because they got some good chips.
When you’re on the road and you’re touring, what’s something that you like to have in your room or if there’s something in the mini bar?
I get into the mini bar, I do. You know those Nature’s Own snacks in the green pack? I like those, bro. I ain’t going to lie to you. I like those. I’m hooked on those. If they got those in the hotel room anywhere, usually I’ll eat them. I used to be a Toblerone man. I’m telling you, man, I used to have it bad with that. I had to leave that alone.
A lot of people have that problem.
You look like a Toblerone guy too! Especially in the hotel rooms ’cause they usually always have them in the minibars and stuff. That’s a fact. So after you’re done a show, I know- also, Famous Amos Cookies. I knew I was forgetting something. Famous Amos Cookies, I love those.
So after you have a show, I know it’s usually probably pretty late at night once you’re done. Do you usually go out to eat afterwards? Are you getting room service?
If I eat it’s going to be Waffle House, probably some eggs, grilled chicken. Whatever’s open 24 hours, usually late, I want eggs. I want some eggs and grilled chicken most of the time.
So you’re not doing room service?
If it’s open, and I can convince them to make what I want. I’m real talkative when I want some food, and I want something, I be, “Hey, this Juvie.” That’s when I start throwing the Juvie card around. “That’s Juvie, y’all. You know this Juvie, right?” “I’m going to tip you real good. Hey, could you get the chef to make me some eggs? You know what I’m saying? Some turkey sausage or something like that, man, just hook me up something special,” ’cause usually, they have pork on the menu for breakfast.
I’m not a pork eater, so I always have to ask these extra questions.
So it sounds like as you’re getting older, you’ve gotten a little bit healthier in your eating habits. You said you go to Whole Foods, you’re eating turkey sausage and it sounds like you might-
Nah, nah, I got to learn how, I’m trying. I’m trying, ’cause look, I got a stomach, bro. I’m trying to learn how.
Besides the granola bars, what’s some other healthy snacks that you like that maybe other people should know about that are trying to get healthier too?
Well, I’m a salad head. But as far as snack wise, healthy snacks, fruits, that’s probably it. I eat a lot of fruits too.
Do you have a favorite fruit? Favorite salad?
My favorite fruit is orange. I love oranges, mandarins or anything like that.
What’s your go-to salad when you’re eating salads or eating healthy?
I’m a Caesar head. I like Caesar. I like Caesar. I can eat it with chicken without chicken, just the Caesar.
So something that’s interesting that’s come up to us is that lot of times nowadays people are trying out new snacks and putting different snacks together. We had somebody that likes to eat Oreos and Doritos together. We had somebody that likes to eat Kool-Aid flavored pickles. I’m curious if there’s anything that you like that other people might think is weird or gross.
Yeah, pretzels and Snickers. I like pretzels with Snickers together. You know, the little Snickers? The little Snickers in the little pack… and pretzels. Try that.
That sounds good, actually.
Try that. Try that, brother.
Then on the flip side, is there anything that you see other people out there eating that you’re like, “That’s nasty?” Or, “Why would you eat that together?”
It’s been some weird stuff, man. I done seen people put peppermints in hot pickles, take a peppermint and stuff it into hot pickles.
Yeah, man, like, what’s the purpose? Your breath, it’s not going to help. I don’t know, but people have some weird fetish. The weirdest stuff I done seen probably came from pregnant women. I think that was my aunt or somebody was eating pig lips. What they eat it with? Pig lips and potato chips, pig feets and potato chips. You ever had that?
No.
Down here they have pickled pig lips. Pickled pig lips and potato chips.
That sounds like a band name or something. That’s interesting.
Pickled pig lips and potato chips, that’s big down here.
I’ll take your word for it. I might have to try that on my next trip.
So that brings me to New Orleans. You come from somewhere that has a very rich food history, a very rich culinary background. What are some of your favorite restaurants or places that the tourists don’t get to that they should be checking out?
Well, Neyow’s would be one of them, a local spot that a lot of people do come through that know about it, but a lot of the tourists miss it. It’s a spot I eat at on a regular. We got a lot of trucks down here that’s real good.
What are you eating at Neyow’s that’s really good?
I like the gumbo and the fried chicken, but I’ve had the fish, I’ve had the salmon. They got different stuff on their menu, man. They got a big menu. It’s always packed in there, but I don’t know if there’s people from out of town. I think it’s locals.
What’s another local spot that everybody should check out that maybe they don’t know about?
Definitely my guy, Skip, got Chicken & Watermelon. Everybody from out of town comes there. It is right there on Claiborne Street.
So would you say that Neyow’s is the best place to get gumbo or where’s your gumbo spot?
No, I think it’s called Orleans Cafe is another spot that’s in the New Orleans East that all they sell is gumbo, and they sell it by the gallons.
Oh, wow.
People say they have the best gumbo. I’ve had it one time, but I got to have it a couple of times. My taste buds don’t work like that. I got to have it a couple times to say if it’s the best or just have both of them together and compare them. But nah, Neyow’s have some good gumbo.
Then I know you said crawfish is your favorite local dish.
Nah, that’s number one, but we got Ruth’s Chris. Ruth’s Chris is from here. I always tell people from out of town like Ruth’s Chris is different in New Orleans. It’s not like the Ruth’s Chris you go to on the road or something like that.
So what makes it different in New Orleans, if you could explain?
I guess that base of the way they cook the steaks and cook the food and the know-how, you know what I’m saying? New Orleans is the cooking capital, so people in New Orleans tend to do things different, the chefs and all. So the cooks that they have that’s in the Ruth’s Chris down here will be totally different from the ones out of town. Even though they’re cooking the same thing.
When you’ve been on the road touring, are there any cities that you really look forward to ’cause of the food there or restaurants that you like to go to?
I’m big on going to spots that we don’t have here in New Orleans, but most of the time, it’s national spots. We don’t have a Benihana here, and I love Benihana. Every time I go to Dallas or I go to Atlanta or to New York, those are the spots that I look for. But New Orleans people, we so locked in on our food, when we go to another city, we like the people to tell us what’s the best spot and go there. I’ve been to a lot of spots, it’s just hard for me to just pull one out of my hat.
What do you like to order at Benihana, though?
Man, I be ordering damn near everything on the menu. We just order. I go for it. I go for it, man. I like the pageantry and everything, but usually I get the triple, the one with the chicken, the steak and the shrimp. Forgot what they call it. I don’t eat it all, but I just order it like that.
I want to get more into your snacks and products. So I heard that Juvie Juice was inspired by your love for Arnold Palmer. When did you get into the Arnold Palmers, and where did that come from?
I’ve been drinking that since a kid. We always took lemonade and mixed it with tea, and I never knew the name was Arnold Palmer until I got older. So when they started saying Arnold Palmer, especially when you’re going to bars or restaurants and you’re trying to make that order, it’s just easier to say that ’cause they know everybody knows what that is. But yeah, I just love the taste. Seltzer was something that I wasn’t a fan of. I’m not really a big beer drinker either.
So it was something that I had to be convinced to like. So my guy Travis took me over to Urban South and we had a taste test, me, him and my wife.
We went through all these different flavors and stuff like that. I kept telling him, “Ah, this ain’t it. This ain’t it. This don’t taste like Arnold Palmer, I don’t like it.” Eventually, we got to the flavor. We got to the consistency that I like, and shit, right now, it’s doing good. I think a lot of people feel the same way I feel about seltzers. A lot of them are just dry and horrible.
So how does that feel for you to have something that you loved as a kid and now you have your own version on the market? You’ve been in the hip-hop game, you probably have had every honor and achievement in music, but having that outside of music, how does that feel?
Oh, it’s a good feeling, man. Tomorrow I’m doing a big in-store with Total Wine, Costco’s and Rouses, which is a local grocery store food chain down here, so I’m gradually growing a brand. To see a brand grow from one state to another state — right now, we’re in eight states — and do well and see the fans reaction when they drink it is great. Mmost of the people that come, they really haven’t drank the seltzer a day in their life. They’re getting introduced to something new and they really like it. For me, it’s a new world.
Then can you explain also how the CheeWees partnership came about?
Well, CheeWees is something that I’ve been eating since I was a kid down here. It’s a local company that’s been making these CheeWees before Cheetos. Actually, they sold the machine to Frito-Lay to make the Cheetos brand, so this brand’s been going… Down here, when you say Cheetos, we don’t say it, we say CheeWees. I call Cheetos CheeWees also, so it’s something that stuck with me and I saw an opportunity to have a partnership with somebody local and make a chip of my own, something that I really like, something that I enjoy with my face and my brand on it. I think it’s doing real good, man. The people down here, they love it.
So I have to ask you, what’s next? Because it seems like this food and culinary world is something you’re really embracing.
We got the hot sauce we working on right now. Matter of fact, I’ll show you. I already got some bottled up, but I don’t have the pictures. We working on the artwork right now,
I’ll have to ask them to maybe send me some info on it, and maybe you could send me a bottle when it’s ready. I would love to try it.
Yeah, I can. I got a trunk full of it right now. I got A-1, when I say A-1, I got steak sauce I’m working on. Well, we’ve already finished with the steak sauce, and we’ve already finished with marinades, so I got a list of marinades. I got two more flavors of the Juvie Juice coming out. One is strawberry lemonade, the other one is mango. I’m working on a coffee, which is called The Great Company with my wife.
Oh, man, you got an empire that’s coming.
Yeah, I’m working, bro. I’m working.
One last question. I know you got your own stuff and your own brands going, but if you could own or operate a franchise that exists already, like a restaurant or something like that is already out there, would it be Popeyes or would it be something else?
Man, you hit it on the nose, bro. It would be Popeyes or Chick-fil-A. I love Chick-fil-A. I wish they would open on Sundays, but I understand ’cause from a Chick-fil-A person that loves Chick-fil-A, it hurts me when they close on Sunday ’cause I love my grilled nuggets.
Grilled nuggets is your go-to at Chick-fil-A?
Grilled nuggets, and then we never talked about that yet, I’m a Chick-fil-a man. I got to have my Texas Pete Hot Sauce with my grilled nuggets, my 12 count.
