Kendrick Lamar unites west coast rap with explosive concert in Los Angeles

Kendrick Lamar hosted a star-studded show in Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Wednesday, planned to unite the West Coast rap fraternity.

Star-Studded Performances:

Kendrick Lamar hosted a high-energy concert at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, celebrating the unity of the West Coast rap community.

The event featured guest appearances by over 20 musicians, including iconic figures like Dr. Dre, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyler The Creator, and Steve Lacy.

Highlight of the Night – “Not Like Us”:

The concert’s highlight was the live debut of Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” a scathing critique of Canadian rapper Drake. This track marked the culmination of their long-standing feud, which reached a peak earlier this year. Encouraged by the crowd’s enthusiasm, Lamar performed the song five times, each rendition more intense than the last.

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Addressing the audience, he declared, “Y’all ain’t gonna let nobody disrespect the West Coast, huh? Oh y’all ain’t gonna let nobody mock or imitate our legends, huh?” This was a direct jab at Drake’s controversial use of AI-generated vocals of Tupac and Snoop Dogg in his song “Taylor Made Freestyle.”

The Lamar-Drake Feud:

The feud between Lamar and Drake, which dates back several years, escalated dramatically in April and May as the rappers exchanged insults through their music.

Drake accused Lamar of selling out and mocked his height, while also making unproven allegations of domestic violence against him. In retaliation, Lamar criticized Drake’s music as “predictable” and insinuated issues with gambling and drug use.

“Not Like Us” intensified the conflict by accusing Drake of exploiting Southern rap culture and making unsubstantiated claims about his behavior with young women, which Drake has denied.

Despite the controversy, the song became a massive hit, breaking Spotify records for the most plays in a single day and reaching number one in the US charts.

New Lyrics and Tributes:

Lamar announced the Juneteenth concert just two weeks prior, and it sold out immediately.

Titled “The Pop Out: Ken and Friends,” the event opened with DJ sets from DJ Hed and DJ Mustard, who paid tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle, a beloved LA rapper murdered two years ago.

Lamar began his performance around 6:30 PM, opening with another Drake diss track, “Euphoria,” which included a new lyric: “Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect.” This line referred to a ring once owned by Tupac Shakur, which Drake purchased at auction for over $1 million last year.

Conclusion:

Kendrick Lamar’s concert was not just a showcase of musical talent but a powerful statement of West Coast rap’s solidarity and resilience.

Through his performances and pointed lyrics, Lamar reinforced his position as a leading figure in hip-hop, unafraid to challenge and critique his peers while honoring the legacy of the genre’s legends.