Lil Wayne’s phone call to Kendrick Lamar has become the latest hot topic in hip-hop circles, fueled by Joe Budden’s claim on his podcast. According to Budden, Wayne reached out to Lamar after hearing his track “Wacced Out Murals“ from the newly released GNX album but was met with silence. The unanswered call reportedly spurred Wayne to head straight to the studio, possibly cooking up a fiery response track.
What’s in the Lyrics?
Kendrick’s “Wacced Out Murals” doesn’t pull any punches. In it, he touches on his journey, success, and—most notably—his contentious selection for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, a gig many thought belonged to Lil Wayne. One line stands out:
"Used to bump 'Tha Carter III,' I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down."
He continues, addressing the Super Bowl buzz:
"Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me / All these n**s agitated, I'm just glad they showin' they faces."
It’s a lyrical masterstroke: Kendrick acknowledges his admiration for Wayne while suggesting his triumphs have caused friction, a sharp juxtaposition of respect and rivalry.
A History of Respect and Rivalry
Kendrick and Wayne’s relationship has always been layered. Kendrick has openly praised Lil Wayne as a formative influence, especially pointing to “Tha Carter III“ as a cornerstone of his musical upbringing. But admiration doesn’t erase competition, and the rap game thrives on such dynamics.
The Super Bowl announcement threw gasoline on the fire. When Kendrick was named as the 2025 headliner in New Orleans—Wayne’s home turf—Wayne admitted to being hurt, saying it felt like a slap in the face. “It broke me,” he said in a rare candid moment. Fans were divided, some sympathizing with Wayne and others applauding Kendrick for his meteoric rise to cultural dominance.
More Than Just Wayne
“Wacced Out Murals” also fired off shots at others in the rap world, with Kendrick’s usual finesse. He called out Snoop Dogg over his promotion of Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle,” a track featuring AI-generated vocals from Snoop and Tupac. The track also tips its hat to Nas, with Kendrick acknowledging him as one of the few artists to offer genuine congratulations for his Super Bowl slot.
This broad scope of references shows Kendrick’s knack for weaving personal and industry-wide narratives into his music, ensuring his lyrics spark conversation far beyond one feud.
What’s Next?
The million-dollar question: will Lil Wayne respond? With his rumored studio session following the snubbed phone call, fans are speculating that a response track could be imminent. If Wayne does drop a rebuttal, it would add another chapter to the complex saga between the two rap icons.
Meanwhile, Kendrick seems unbothered, basking in the glow of GNX’s critical acclaim and preparing for the Super Bowl spotlight. As the story unfolds, one thing is clear: the tensions between these two titans only serve to remind us why they’re both at the top of their game.
For fans, it’s not just a feud—it’s history in the making. Whether this ends with a handshake or a diss track, the world is watching, and the mic is hot.
