June 20th 2024.
Kendrick Lamar caused quite a stir on Juneteenth when he debuted his highly anticipated Amazon Prime special, The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Concert. The Grammy Award-winning rapper took the stage for a 90-minute set, featuring a carefully curated track list that spanned his impressive discography dating back to his debut album in 2011.
Right off the bat, Kendrick made it clear that he wasn't holding back any punches, as he opened the show with "Euphoria," a direct diss track aimed at his longstanding rival, Drake. But that was just the beginning. The Compton native went on to perform a string of fan favorites, including "DNA," "Alright," "Swimming Pools," "m.a.a.d. City," and "Humble." He even surprised the audience with a reunion of his old rap group, Black Hippy, featuring fellow rappers Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul.
But it was Kendrick's relentless performance of his Drake diss track, "Not Like Us," that really had the crowd going. The rapper performed the song five times in a row, with the help of legendary producer and mentor, Dr. Dre. The Aftermath founder even gave a surprise introduction to the song, setting the stage for a truly epic finale.
For those expecting Kendrick to go easy on Drake, they were in for a surprise. The rapper changed up the lyrics on "Euphoria" during his live performance, rapping, "Give me Tupac's ring back, and I might give you a little respect." This was in response to Drake's purchase of a ring worn by the late Tupac Shakur in 1996, which he bought at an auction for over $1 million.
But the highlight of the show was undoubtedly Kendrick's powerful and memorable performance of "Not Like Us." The audience was completely captivated as he ran through the song four times before bringing out a star-studded lineup of friends and fellow rappers to join in on the final performance. NBA stars Russell Westbrook and Demar DeRozan, as well as a number of opening acts, joined Kendrick on stage for a moment of unity, Black pride, and Black Boy Joy that left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
The energy and excitement in the crowd were tangible as fans left the show, still rapping "Not Like Us" and singing its catchy chorus. This was Kendrick's first live performance since his ongoing feud with Drake, and it was clear that he had no intentions of backing down. While Drake has been relatively silent since the show, his OVO crew member did share a photo of the rapper wearing a "Revenge" t-shirt, hinting at a potential comeback.
Overall, it was an unforgettable night for Kendrick Lamar fans and hip-hop lovers alike. The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Concert will surely go down in history as one of the most iconic and talked-about performances of all time.
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