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In a sensational live performance on the Kia Discussion board on Wednesday, Kendrick Lamar introduced collectively a number of musical heavyweights for an evening meant to showcase unity throughout the West Coast rap scene. The occasion featured visitor appearances by over 20 musicians, together with Dr. Dre, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyler The Creator, and Steve Lacy.
Kendrick Lamar opened his efficiency on the night time with a Drake diss observe Euphoria,” which included the brand new line: “Give me Tupac’s ring again and I would provide you with somewhat respect.” This referred to a hoop beforehand owned by Tupac Shakur, bought at public sale for over $1 million by an nameless bidder who turned out to be Drake.
The head of the night time was the stay debut of Lamar’s observe “Not Like Us,” a robust takedown of Canadian rapper Drake. This efficiency might be Kendrick’s ‘ending transfer’ to finish their long-standing feud, which had escalated earlier this 12 months. Inspired by the gang, Kendrick Lamar carried out the music 5 instances, every rendition extra intense than the final.
“Y’all ain’t gonna let no person disrespect the West Coast, huh?” Lamar requested the viewers because the present neared its finish. “Oh y’all ain’t gonna let no person mock or imitate our legends, huh?” he added, referring to Drake’s controversial use of AI variations of Tupac and Snoop Dogg’s vocals in his observe “Taylor Made Freestyle.”
Kendrick Lamar vs Drake
The feud between Lamar and Drake has been simmering for years, reaching new heights in April and Could because the rappers exchanged barbs by way of their music. Drake, a mainstream pop-rap icon, accused Lamar of promoting out and mocked his top, whereas additionally making unverified allegations of home violence. Lamar, thought of by many to be among the best lyricists of his technology, criticized Drake’s music as “predictable” and urged he had points with playing and medicines.
Nevertheless, “Not Like Us” took the rivalry to a different degree. Within the music, Lamar accused Drake of “colonizing” Southern rap tradition for private achieve and made unsubstantiated claims about Drake’s conduct with younger girls, which Drake denied. The observe, powered by a DJ Mustard beat, broke Spotify information for many performs in a single day, topped the US charts, and reached quantity six within the UK, turning into Lamar’s largest solo hit.
“The Pop Out: Ken And Buddies,”
Introduced simply two weeks prior, Lamar’s Juneteenth live performance, titled “The Pop Out: Ken And Buddies,” bought out immediately. The occasion opened with units by DJ Hed and DJ Mustard, who honoured the late LA rapper Nipsey Hussle. Lamar took the stage at 6:30 pm, beginning with “Euphoria.”
Lamar’s setlist included hits like “DNA,” “Alright,” “Swimming Swimming pools (Drank),” and “King Kunta.” He was joined by Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock of the hip-hop supergroup Black Hippy for performances of “M.A.A.D. Metropolis” and “That Half.” He additionally carried out his verse from Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” which sparked this 12 months’s feud.
Because the present streamed stay on Amazon, Lamar introduced out West Coast rap legend Dr. Dre for energetic renditions of “Nonetheless D.R.E.” and “California Love.” Dre then launched “Not Like Us” by whispering its opening line, “I see useless individuals.” Anticipation for the music had been constructing all night time, with the gang chanting its lyrics. Every repeat efficiency noticed extra company becoming a member of Lamar on stage, culminating in almost 30 individuals, together with YG, Steve Lacy, Schoolboy Q, Huge Boy, G Perico, DJ Mustard, and basketball stars Russell Westbrook and Demar Derozan.
The live performance concluded with a poignant second of solidarity amongst Los Angeles’ usually fractured hip-hop neighborhood. Lamar paused for a bunch picture and devoted the present to pals and musicians misplaced to violence. “That is unity, y’all simply don’t know man,” he instructed the gang. “Everyone on this stage bought fallen troopers. For all of us to be collectively, that [expletive] is particular. We put this along with peace… I promise this gained’t be the final of us.”
The night time ended with a sixth, instrumental model of “Not Like Us” as followers left the sector.
