Music

Kendrick Lamar review: A breathtaking moment during DAMN world tour proves rap is a respected art

If you are ever to get a cultural bucket list, please ensure you add ‘must attend Kendrick Lamar, or else’ on that list.

Very important – whether or not you are a self-professed rap fan.

The man, who goes by the alter-ego Kung Fu Kenny, has been appointed the King of rap so many times we’ve lost count of all the debates.

But it was when he stopped to take in the atmosphere and appreciate the 20,000-strong crowd inside London’s O2 Arena earlier this week, that it became strikingly evident that the 30-year-old is magical.

Kendrick Lamar review: Breathtaking moment during DAMN world tour proves rap is respected
There was an unexpected moment in the concert that blew Kung Fu Kenny away (Picture: WireImage)

The moment caught us by surprise as much as it did Kenny. The unexpected moment of stillness came directly after almost two hours of electric performances as a heavy-loaded reminder of what Kendrick is in comparison to nothingness.

So when Kendrick finally paused, dressed in all white martial arts uniform, the audience erupted with an applause of appreciation that left him overwhelmed.

He didn’t have to say much, we knew how he felt, as he discreetly covered his face and muttered ‘that’s love’ when the cheers stopped exactly 3 minutes later.

And why wouldn’t we show so much love – and respect – to the man who has dedicated much of his work, lifestyle, and activism to promote that word: Love.

While his freshly-released Black Panther soundtrack plays out of cinemas, Kendrick kicked off the concert with DNA from his recent album DAMN, whilst perfectly hand-picking tracks from his Good Kid, MAAD City, To Pimp A Butterfly catalogue.

As the first two lines of an a cappella version of HUMBLE played out, the audience overtook him leaving him to stand by in admiration as each word from the start into the second chorus was perfectly recited by a collective audience thanking a star

In short, Kendrick kindly reminders rappers how it should be done.

DAMN tour set list

DNA.
ELEMENT.
King Kunta
untitled 07 | 2014 – 2016
goosebumps
Collard Greens
Swimming Pools (Drank)
Backseat Freestyle
LOYALTY.
FEEL.
(Intro played with dance performance on stage)
LUST.
Money Trees
XXX.
m.A.A.d city
PRIDE.
LOVE.
Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
Alright
HUMBLE.
(with crowd a cappella and restart)

Encore:
GOD.

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