kendrick lamar tour europe 2023

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The fifth edition of the festival will take place from July 21-23 at the French capital’s Hippodrome De Longchamp.

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Lollapalooza Paris 2023 has announced its first batch of acts for 2023, with Kendrick Lamar , Rosalía and Stray Kids each headlining one of the festival’s three nights.

Stray Kids take the stage on Day 1. Rosalia takes Day 2 as the headliner. And Kendrick Lamar finishes the event strong with the top-billed Sunday performance.

Shop the best of Kendrick Lamar’s discography on vinyl and more .

‘Strictly Business’: Why EPMD’s Debut Album Is The Real Deal

The fifth edition of the festival will take place from July 21-23 at the Hippodrome De Longchamp in Paris and will feature additional acts such as Lil Nas X, Kygo, Niall Horan, Maisie Peters, Central Cee, OneRepublic and JID.

There’s also room for the likes of The Driver Era, Lovejoy, Aya Nakamura, Damso, Niska and more. Tickets for Lollapalooza Paris 2023 go on sale tomorrow, January 27.

Like the original Lollapalooza Chicago, the fest will feature a Kidspalooza area, a street market and a Lolla merch market. In years past, Lolla Paris took two years off but returned in 2022 and featured Pearl Jam, David Guetta, Megan Thee Stallion, A$ap Rocky and Imagine Dragons. Lollapalooza music festivals produce an enormous economic impact upon their host cities, with hotels, flights and local restaurants usually seeing an uptick in spending in the days before, after and during the fest. For Chicago alone, the impact was $305 million.

This year, fans will continue to experience all that Lollapalooza Paris has to offer, with a diverse lineup, a wide variety of French cuisine, art exhibitions, and a space dedicated to music fans that want to learn more about how to help the world around them. Visit the official Lollapalooza Paris website for further information.

Last year, Lollapalooza Chile, Lollapalooza Argentina and Lollapalooza Brazil revealed the lineups for each of their respective 2023 editions. Drake , Billie Eilish , Blink-182 , Tame Impala, Rosalía and Lil Nas X. Jane’s Addiction, The 1975, Armin Van Buuren, Jamie XX, Kali Uchis, Tove Lo, Purple Disco Machine, Alison Wonderland, Wallows, Melanie Martinez, Cigarettes After Sex, Dominic Fike, Omar Apollo, Modest Mouse, and many more are also on the bill.

Listen to the best of Kendrick Lamar on Apple Music and Spotify .

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• June 30, 2023 Setlist

Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands

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• Song played from tape The Heart Part 5 Play Video
• N95 Play Video
• ELEMENT. Play Video
• A.D.H.D Play Video
• King Kunta Play Video
• Worldwide Steppers Play Video
• Nosetalgia ( Pusha T  cover) Play Video
• Backseat Freestyle Play Video
• Swimming Pools (Drank) Play Video
• m.A.A.d city Play Video
• LOYALTY. Play Video
• DNA. Play Video
• Rich Spirit Play Video
• HUMBLE. Play Video
• Sidewalks ( The Weeknd  cover) Play Video
• Count Me Out Play Video
• Money Trees Play Video
• Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe ( Acapella while signing a TPAB vinyl + remix verse ) Play Video
• Die Hard Play Video
• LOVE. Play Video
• Alright Play Video
• Savior Play Video

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19 activities (last edit by KarasFlowers , 25 Dec 2023, 23:50 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• Count Me Out
• Rich Spirit
• Worldwide Steppers
• Backseat Freestyle
• Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe
• Money Trees
• Swimming Pools (Drank)
• m.A.A.d city
• Nosetalgia by Pusha T
• Sidewalks by The Weeknd

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Kendrick lamar gig timeline.

• Jun 28 2023 Roskilde Festival 2023 Roskilde, Denmark Start time: 10:10 PM 10:10 PM
• Jun 29 2023 Splash! 2023 Gräfenhainichen, Germany Add time Add time
• Jun 30 2023 Rolling Loud Rotterdam 2023 This Setlist Rotterdam, Netherlands Add time Add time
• Jul 01 2023 Open'er Festival 2023 Gdynia, Poland Start time: 12:10 AM 12:10 AM
• Jul 06 2023 Les Ardentes 2023 Liège, Belgium Add time Add time

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<div style="text-align: center;" class="setlistImage"><a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kendrick-lamar/2023/ahoy-rotterdam-netherlands-2ba79c42.html" title="Kendrick Lamar Setlist Rolling Loud Rotterdam 2023, The Big Steppers" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.setlist.fm/widgets/setlist-image-v1?id=2ba79c42" alt="Kendrick Lamar Setlist Rolling Loud Rotterdam 2023, The Big Steppers" style="border: 0;" /></a> <div><a href="https://www.setlist.fm/edit?setlist=2ba79c42&amp;step=song">Edit this setlist</a> | <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/kendrick-lamar-bd2f5d6.html">More Kendrick Lamar setlists</a></div></div>

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Multi-Platinum, Grammy-award winning artist and co-founder of creative imprint pgLang, Kendrick Lamar, has achieved massive critical and cultural success since his debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city released in 2012. Since its release, Lamar has accumulated a staggering total of 14 Grammy wins, and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album DAMN . Lamar's latest album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers , was released in May 2022 immediately earning rave reviews.

Reviews 2109

More than just a concert.

BIG STEPPERS TOUR LA was the best show I’ve been to. Kendrick raps every line, put on a show with visuals and the energy and vibes in the venue is just incredible. There’s a reason why he won Pulitzer Prize and is one of the greatest rappers of ALL time.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My GOAT is untouched!

The best performer, artist, rapper, creative of our generation! Will go down as the King!

He Has proven to be one of the most prolific rappers of our time. The most critically acclaimed. He makes music for generations. He makes the music for college professors to break down to their students. He is this generation's Tupac

Greatest Rapper of All Time 🌎🎤🎵🎼🎶🎹

Kendrick Lamar is the greatest rapper to make number 1 hit songs & winning the Grammy’s. From lyricism to electrifying music videos. Also a Pulitzer prize winner. I went to his Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers Tour in Tampa. He performed outstanding & astronomical elements during the tour. His new songs are great for competition. 🌎🎤🎵🎶🎼🎹

Kendrick Kinetic: Hip-Hop Master!"🎤🔥💫

Kendrick Lamar was INCREDIBLE! 😍🎶 His lyrics and energy were electrifying! 🌟💥 Best concert ever! 🎉

Kendrick's Genius 🎤🔥

Kendrick Lamar's concert was absolutely powerful! His voice, his message, everything was on point. "HUMBLE."live was incredible. I'm still in awe. What an amazing night! 🎤🔥

KENDRICK'S KINETIC KHAOS!

Kendrick Lamar's concert was an absolute whirlwind of energy and excitement! 🌟🔥 His rhymes had me bouncing off the walls! 🎤

A Masterpiece of Music and Message! 🎤🔥

Kendrick Lamar's concert was absolutely phenomenal! From the moment he took the stage, I was completely captivated by his talent and charisma. Every song was delivered with such intensity and passion. The atmosphere was electric and I felt every word deeply. Thank you, Kendrick, for an unforgettable night of powerful music and inspiration! 🌟🔥🎤

they not like us

Kendrick Lamar is truly GOAT! Thanks for the wonderful show!

Kendrick King: Rap Royalty!🎤🔥👑

Kendrick Lamar was LEGENDARY! 🙌🎶 His rhymes were straight fire, and the energy was unreal! ⚡🌟 Can't wait for more Kendrick magic! 💫

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Kendrick Lamar Announces 'The Big Steppers Tour' Dates

The grammy award-winning rapper unveiled his forthcoming tour on the same day that his new album, mr. morale & the big steppers, arrived ..

Damn , Kendrick Lamar moves fast.

On the same day that he released his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers , he also announced the dates and cities for an upcoming worldwide tour.

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Since Kendrick announced the release date for his new album a month ago, the Compton rapper has been moving quickly. This week alone, he dropped “The Heart Part 5” with accompanying visuals and shared the intimate cover art for Mr. Morale .

As you would imagine, people are going insane listening and analyzing Lamar’s latest release. But with the announcement of a new tour, the excitement of fans will go to a new high.

Per his official website , Lamar’s worldwide tour will take place in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, with Baby Keem and Tanna Leone joining him on most of the dates. In North America alone, Lamar has 37 tour dates.

This is his first solo tour since he released his fourth studio album Damn. , five years ago in 2017. The tour will also be sponsored by Amazon Music .

With all of the tour dates Lamar has for North America alone, the possibility of surprise guests is almost endless since Mr. Morale features many notable artists, such as Baby Keem, Summer Walker, Kodak Black, Ghostface Killah, Blxst, Thundercat and Taylour Paige.

On July 30 in Atlanta, will Summer Walker make an appearance to show out in her hometown? The inclusion of Kodak Black was a surprise feature on Lamar’s album. Will he take the stage in Tampa Bay on July 27th? Brooklyn gets two chances to see Lamar on Aug. 5 and 6. Will New York legend Ghostface Killah honor the city with his presence at the show? Thundercat, Blsxt and Taylour are all California natives. Will they join Lamar during his homecoming on Sept. 14 or 15 in Los Angeles?

You’ll have to buy a ticket for a show to see.

Check out Lamar’s website if you want to check out all the tour dates and cities. Tickets do not go on sale until Thursday, May 19 at 10:00 p.m. PDT.

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I’ve been to see many big rap artists including Jay Z, Kanye West, ASAP Rocky and even Eminem.... But Kendrick stepped up the game. The set list set out a journey that had the whole place shaking from start to finish. The SSE arena managed capture all this energy and let it simmer around for everyone to feed off throughout the whole because every man/woman yout and old were bouncing like they were trying to bring the place down.

Kendrick Lamar is no doubt a rap genius and probably the biggest in the world right now. The DAMN tour took us through the Kung Fu Kenny journey with amazing video graphics during short intermissions between songs as intros and gave enough storyline to the attendees to be enraptured by this and gas the whole crowd up for each moment!

It’s hard to pin one moment down but when the whole crowd started singing Humble twice over without the help of Kendrick for then him to come out and say this has got to be the best show yet.... man, I had goosebumps and was ready to stomp.

12/10.... worth every penny and more. Thank you Kendrick!

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December 5, 2022, kendrick lamar and travis scott confirmed as headliners.

Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott are the confirmed headliners for Rolling Loud Rotterdam 2023. Kendrick is set to perform on Friday June 30 and Travis Scott will close out Saturday July 01.

Tickets for Rolling Loud Rotterdam 2023 are available starting Saturday December 10 at 10:00 via this website and ticketmaster.nl

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An Exciting New Journey Begins

Kendrick Lamar is set to bring his internationally acclaimed, Grammy-winning artistry and lyrical genius to invigorated performances that leave audiences spellbound on his 2023 Festival Tour .

Kendrick Lamar’s name alone evokes thoughts-provoking lyrics and mesmerizing live shows; now, with handpicked festivals around the globe planned into this tour plan will indeed provide fans and music enthusiasts alike an unforgettable experience.

Unveiling of Tour Dates and Locations

Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 Festival Tour: Dates, Tickets, and LineupsKendrick Lamar will bring his 2023 Festival Tour from sunny shores to urban landscapes, stopping at some of the world’s most iconic cities and venues.

While specific details remain under wraps, fans should anticipate an impressive selection of festival appearances during the summer season spanning multiple festivals worldwide; it promises to be an unparalleled celebration of music that showcases Kendrick Lamar’s unparalleled artistry and captivating stage presence.

Securing Your Spot: Tickets and Sales

Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 Festival Tour is expected to generate record levels of excitement among his fans, who eagerly anticipate witnessing his magnetic performances.

To avoid missing out, stay updated on ticket sales and availability; watch for reliable ticket vendors, official festival websites, and authorized resellers as quickly as possible to secure your seat on this incredible musical journey.

It is expected that Kendrick Lamar’s tour tickets may sell out rapidly, given his vast fan base and anticipation surrounding its announcement.

Un Stellar Line-Up of Artists

Kendrick Lamar will headline his 2023 Festival Tour as the star performer and join an incredible collection of artists bringing their unique flair.

While Kendrick Lamar has yet to unveil their name, industry insiders expect that Kendrick Lamar will curate an eclectic and talented roster.

Industry insiders speculate that you should expect surprise collaborations, captivating guest appearances, and extraordinary talent that will elevate these festival experiences beyond expectations.

Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 Festival Tour promises to be an unparalleled event that will leave an indelible mark on the music industry. Fans eagerly anticipate details on tour dates, locations, and lineup reveals as their anticipation builds up.

Kendrick Lamar is widely revered for his profound lyricism, impressive stage presence, and steadfast dedication to pushing artistic boundaries; fans can look forward to performances that will forever remain in their memories.

Stay tuned for updates and announcements regarding Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 Festival Tour!

Mark your calendars, bring out your dancing shoes, and prepare to enter an immersive world of musical brilliance created by one of today’s most significant artists; Kendrick Lamar takes center stage to share this extraordinary musical journey through sound and emotion with all of us!

Don’t miss this extraordinary journey through sound and emotion with him!

• Kendrick Lamar

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Published: 2023/06/17

Kendrick Lamar’s Return to Bonnaroo and Portugal. The Man’s Album Listening Party Highlight Bonnaroo 2023 Friday Evening

Photo by Roger Ho

Friday night at Bonnaroo 2023 brought a wave of excitement as icon, rapper and Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the festival’s iconic What Stage. As the clock struck 11 p.m., the field was filled with eager fans who had spent a scorching day enjoying a vast array of curated music.

Acknowledging the crowd’s exhaustion, Lamar paused during his performance of “Element,” a track from his 2017 album DAMN ., to address the audience. He called out, “Is anyone alive out there?” and received a spirited response, with some fans even serenading him with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” as he turned 36 at midnight.

Lamar has had a longstanding relationship with Bonnaroo, having performed multiple times since his debut in 2012. That same year marked a turning point in his career when he signed with Interscope Records and Dr. Dre’s influential Aftermath label, propelling him toward superstardom.

However, it had been years since Lamar graced the festival’s main stage in Manchester, Tenn. This time, he returned to Bonnaroo in support of his 2022 release, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers , his first album in five years. The sonically diverse LP delves into themes of trauma, fame, and identity.

Lamar’s performance was accompanied by top-tier production: he was dressed in vibrant pink wide-legged pants and accompanied by a choreographed group of dancers in aprons; Lamar mesmerized the crowd with performances of “King Kunta” and the title track from DAMN. , injecting a surge of energy into the late-night atmosphere. The songs “Love,” “Humble,” and “Loyalty” resonated particularly strongly with the fervent fans.

Lamar’s prowess as a gifted lyricist has solidified his status as one of modern music’s most influential artists. However, according to several local outlets, the performance at Bonnaroo seemed to lack the connection that many in the massive audience were seeking. With minimal onstage banter and more of a focus on cerebral verses, Lamar’s show didn’t fully resonate with the thousands who had gathered. Perhaps recognizing this, Lamar bid farewell to the crowd, expressing his love before leaving the stage more than 15 minutes earlier than anticipated.

In addition to Lamar’s return, Friday at Bonnaroo 2023 also featured Portugal. The Man, who took to the stage as headliners. The band, which has evolved from performing in small tents to securing a spot as a second headliner, delighted fans with their signature sound. Notably, they also hosted an album listening party for their forthcoming LP, creating a special experience for festival-goers.

Bonnaroo’s second day showcased the raw talent and musical diversity that has made the festival a beloved annual tradition. With Kendrick Lamar’s long-awaited return, Portugal. The Man’s captivating performance and album preview, and the array of gifted performers highlighted throughout the day, Friday, reached the heights of musical excellence Bonnaroo has established over the years since its inception.

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Primavera Madrid Day 2: Kendrick Lamar as assured as ever

After floods called off the first night of Primavera Sound's Madrid weekend, a night of big acts including Depeche Mode, Skrillex and Christine & the Queens gets the ball rolling again.

After calling off the first day, there were doubts as to whether Primavera Sound’s decision to add a Madrid location to the festival was the right call. Would the Ciudad del Rock venue way outside of the city be able to cope with the needs of one of Spain’s premiere music festivals?

Despite expecting the severe late nights that come hand in hand with Primavera, due to the sudden weather-related closures and the singular Blur concert last night, I woke up early. Feeling very refreshed in my hotel — booked through Omio , the travel app that saved my train journey the day before — I was ready to hit the streets of Madrid. You can read about the mishaps and celebrations of Primavera Day 1 here.

With a full day ahead of me before any music got started, I went for a stroll through the Chueca neighbourhood to find my favourite restaurant, Restaurante Morgana, for a late lunch to keep me going through the evening.

Before long, it was time for the festival. After torrential rains called off the first night, there was some doubt as to whether Primavera would have the logistics down in this new location. Primavera’s reputation for logistics was hampered last year when the Barcelona edition was plagued by overcrowding, long queues and little water access.

Thankfully, getting to the Ciudad del Rock, 40 km away from the city, was a breeze. Shuttle busses ferried people at a consistent pace and once inside, the work done to deal with Thursday’s flood issues was clear. Huge amounts of gravel and astro turf had been laid down to cover soaked mud. In some areas, the turf had a springy bounce owing to the waterlogging beneath.

The arena itself is well placed to serve the amount of music fans Primavera expected. The 12 open-air stages are all huge, with even the smaller ones dwarfing many other festival’s second and third tier stages.

Opening acts

Opening up the festival, Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin brings her particular brand of sad-girl indie. Despite the breadth of artists seemingly in the same genre, Jacklin has a welcome fire and breathes personality into her whole set. ‘Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You’ is a highlight as potentially the best break-up song of the past decade.

Japanese Breakfast put on the first big show of the night, with lead singer Michelle Zauner commanding the audience over the band’s dreamy pop tunes. Over on one of the smaller stages, American hardcore band Soul Glo give a head rocking and heartwarming set that’s as queer friendly as it is moshpit obsessed.

More hard rock comes with a douse of polyrhythms thanks to the always complex The Mars Volta, while British-American gospel soul band Gabriels stuns on a stage opposite. One of the day’s highlights, Gabriels frontman Jacob Lusk first came to fame as a top 13 finalist on American Idol. At Primavera, he’s put his undeniably soulful voice at the forefront of a funky choral band that is the first to get the crowd properly dancing.

Coming to the stage nearly 40 minutes late, British synth rock titans Depeche Mode are a bit of a damp squib. While the sexagenarian singer Dave Gahan can still whip about the stage, their hour and a half plus set sags with lesser known tunes. Despite their lateness, they don’t prune their set, and the crowd is so anxious for follow-up headliner Kendrick Lamar , that even crowd-pleaser ‘Personal Jesus’ falls short.

Barely seconds after Depeche Mode leaves the stage, Lamar arrives with all the fanfare audiences have now come to expect. Is there a contemporary artist with as much gravitational pull as Lamar? As he launches into set opener ‘N95’, fireworks detonate to the beat, a colourful tableau drops metres from the edge of the stage, and Lamar is isolated, in complete command.

Cycling through a modified version of the festival and tour setlist he’d played in 2022, Lamar has the audience entirely enraptured. Jumping on cue, the crowd is so clearly his, they even sing along to comparative deepcut ‘A.D.H.D.’ off his first album ‘Section.80’.

Throughout, Lamar is accompanied by more colourful stage-sized paintings and a troupe of identikit dancers cycling through abstract shapes. He closes out the set in a now typical trio. First Lamar brings on his cousin supporting headliner Baby Keem for ‘Family Ties’, then is the invariably popular ‘Alright’ before ending on Lamar’s current mission statement ‘Savior’.

• Primavera Sound hits Madrid for the first time: Festival Preview
• Primavera Madrid Day 1: Weather disasters and Blur's redemption

Final courses

Elsewhere, Christine & the Queens puts on an electrifying set. French artist Héloïse Letissier wears just a pair of high-waisted trousers and star stickers over his nipples as he cycles through songs from new album ‘Paranoia, Angels, True Love’. The grief-stricken album reaches messianic proportions when Letissier puts on a pair of angel wings for the final few songs.

Chaos reigns when Yves Tumor’s tight backing band work through a set of his experimental rock despite Tumor’s best attempts to derail the performance. Swaggering around the stage, he humps cameras, screams “God isn’t real” and wriggles about giving one of the most memorable performances of the night.

Finally, the travelling DJ trio of Four Tet, Fred Again.., and Skrillex keep punters entertained late into the evening with sets of bacchanalian euphoria.

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A “Rich Spirit”: Kendrick Lamar’s Big Steppers Tour Delivers “Sensational” Performances Across Europe

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On the morning of 9 November, I received an email to review the third and final London performance of Kendrick Lamar’s Big Steppers tour. Having taken time off work that evening, in part due to U.S. election-related self-pity, as well as a persistent post-COVID cough, I hesitated to schlep myself all the way to the O2 Arena — even with a free ticket and a long-time love of Lamar’s music. Thankfully, after a stern talking-to from a good friend and a few paracetamol tablets, I was on a train to London for a performance that was nothing short of spectacular.

I meant to publish this article in the week following Lamar’s London performance. However, like many audience members, I struggled to adequately describe the evening. Months later, after having watched Lamar a second time — headlining the Barcelona leg of the Primavera Sound (“Primavera”) festival — I may finally have found the words.

One of many sheet-screen images during Lamar’s performance. Photo taken by Swathi Srinivasan .

The Rise of Kendrick Lamar

Born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth in June 1985, Lamar — “Kendrick” to his fans — is known for his seamless integration of social commentary and hip-hop. From a young age, the Compton rapper was no stranger to civil unrest, with family members having participated in the 1992 LA Riots that erupted following the assault of Rodney King at the hands of four acquitted police members. Lamar was also a mere five years old when he witnessed a murder while sitting on his front porch; eight years old when he witnessed another whilst walking home from school. 

Yet, Lamar’s childhood was also characterised by an early exposure to music (he is named after Motown star Eddie Kendricks, after all). In an interview with Forbes, he recounted hearing hip-hop albums played by his parents during house parties. The artist even watched hip-hop icons Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre record the music video for “California Love,” a pivotal moment in his childhood. Little did he know, Lamar would rise to be among his idols as one of the most prolific hip-hop artists of all time. 

Today, albums like To Pimp A Butterfly and DAMN have earned Lamar global praise. A lyrical genius and masterful performer, Lamar has 17 Grammys, six Billboard Music Awards, an Emmy, and a Pulitzer Prize, among many other accolades. He has also recently broken records with his 2022-2023 Big Steppers tour, now the highest-grossing tour in hip-hop history. The Big Steppers tour visited over 70 cities, some with several back-to-back performances. I was lucky enough to attend two.

The crowd shouts “Kendrick’s in a box! In a box!” as Lamar ascends into the air in a transparent cube. Photo taken by Swathi Srinivasan .

Lamar Takes the Stage

The three-day packed crowd in London’s 20,000-person O2 arena confirmed Lamar’s status as a hip-hop artist extraordinaire. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Having grown in size since Lamar’s opener, fellow rapper and cousin, Baby Keem, took to the stage. As the lights began to dim, the crowd roared. As far as my eyes could see, there was not a single person seated. 

Months later, in sunny Barcelona, an estimated 70,000 people traversed the seaside Parc del Forum for back-to-back performances across Primavera Sound’s 14 stages. By 8pm, the crowd concentrated in the two main stages for the evening’s headliners, Depeche Mode and Lamar, set to perform on side-by-side stages an hour or so apart. Once the crowd shifted towards the former, I found myself 10 metres from the front of Lamar’s stage, surrounded by street-wear cladded twenty-somethings eagerly reciting Lamar’s lyrics between Depeche Mode’s encore hits, “Personal Jesus” and “Just Can’t Get Enough” (lead singer Dave Gahan still has it, in case you were wondering).

The crowd roared as Lamar took the stage. In London, one-by-one, 11 step dancers dressed in white suits walked up and down a runway which split the crowd, forming lines and circles, operating in both unison and discord. With “Savior” as an interlude, Lamar’s words “I am not your savior” filled the arena. In Barcelona, the theatrics were kept to a minimum. A white screen lifted to reveal Lamar through the smoke, dressed in a modest blue satin jacket-trouser getup, hands in his pockets. As the introduction to “N95” began over the loudspeakers, Lamar stood watching as attendees shouted the lyrics. A background screen unfolded as the first beat dropped. 

11 step dancers took to the stage in black and white suits, performing a step routine before and during Lamar’s performance. Photo taken by Swathi Srinivasan.

While Lamar was no stranger to London, having performed at BST Hyde Park in 2016 and at the Brit Awards in 2018, it had been nearly ten years since he had graced the Catalunian capital. You could not tell the difference between the two cities, however, as crowds were equally enamoured by Lamar’s performance. Some audience members screamed lyrics as though interacting with Lamar himself, while others beamed widely, between tears, watching as he gracefully commanded the stage. With few hand and body gestures, Lamar’s humility shined. Confident without bravado, lyrics brimming with intention, the rapper performed crowd-pleasing hits such as “King Kunta”, “Alright”, “m.A.A.d city”, “HUMBLE”, “LOYALTY”, and “Money Trees”, in addition to well-known songs off the Big Steppers album — “N95”, “Rich Spirit”, and “Count Me Out” among them. 

Both crowds cheered as Lamar brought Baby Keem on stage at the end of his set for performances of “vent” in London, and of “family ties” and “Saviour” in Barcelona. Lamar also surprised the Barcelona crowd with a cover of Pusha T’s “Nosetalgia”(Pusha T having performed at Primavera the previous night). Lamar chatted with both crowds briefly, acknowledging his long-delayed return to Barcelona and expressing excitement at the fact that few in the crowd had seen him perform live before. I chuckled to myself, remembering when I, too, was a first-timer. I thought about just how much had changed for me, and how much would change for the thousands beside me.

A sheet-screen of a boy in a ‘California’ shirt served as the background for much of Lamar’s performance in Barcelona. Photos taken by Swathi Srinivasan. 

Lamar the Inspiration

It was during his Barcelona performance that I reflected on Lamar as an inspiration. Sure, he is no stranger to the occasional rivalry, nor does he shy away from the innuendo that has come to characterise, in part, the modern rap scene. But the artist’s lyrics are also reminiscent of hip-hop’s early days — with Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Tupac rapping about complicated childhoods, racism, cycles of inequality, police violence, and political unrest. In re-prioritising lyrical meaning and sentiment over machismo and gluttony, confidence over ego, Lamar has joined the likes of Donald Glover and Lauryn Hill in ushering an era of rap and hip-hop that is perhaps new to some, but familiar to many others. 

Moreover, unlike the constant attention surrounding his contemporaries, Lamar’s relative media invisibility indicates an uncommon propensity for life away from the limelight. His messages are not conveyed via social media (he has only one Instagram post), but through an urgency in his voice. Even with this urgency, Lamar has a calmness about him — a rare wisdom made clear in both his music and his stage presence. This wisdom has cemented the Compton-born rapper as second to none in my mind (“Sensational” was the single word the teen sitting next to me in London could muster).

As I sat in a Spanish cafe with words nowhere near as masterful as that of Lamar himself, I took heed of the lesson learned: when the chance arises to see Kendrick Lamar perform, you go. You pack your bags, you forget your political woes, and you stock up on paracetamol, because the experience is as informative, as healing, and as hopeful as one can find in today’s ‘m.A.A.d’ world.

The vast crowd at the O2 Arena, holding phone torches during Lamar’s performance. Photo by Swathi Srinivasan. 

To view the full set list of his London and Barcelona performances, see here and here , respectively.

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Kendrick Lamar Announces European Dates for DAMN. Tour

Kendrick Lamar announces European dates for DAMN. Tour with James Blake serving as his opener.

By Carl Lamarre

Carl Lamarre

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After lighting up stages with scintillating performances, Kendrick Lamar plans on keeping his DAMN. Tour on the road, as he’ll embark on a European trek this February. 

Earlier this morning on Instagram (Oct. 2), Lamar announced his decision to venture out to Europe with James Blake serving as an opener in 2018. The tour will kick off Feb. 7 in Dublin and will make stops in Manchester, London — where he’ll perform back-to-back nights — and Paris. The European leg will conclude March 5 in Berlin. 

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James Blake

Kendrick lamar, kendrick lamar and rihanna's 'loyalty.' hits no. 1 on rhythmic songs chart.

As of press time, ticket details are unknown. Lamar has been busy outside of his hectic tour schedule and has managed to make time for features and surprise concert appearances. Last week, he delivered a scorching verse on Rich the Kid’s new record “New Freezer,” while also popping up at SZA’s show in Los Angeles . 

Take a look at the dates below. 

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2/7 — Dublin 2/9 — Birmingham  2/10 — Manchester  2/11 — Glasgow 2/12 — London 2/13 — London 2/15 — Frankfurt 2/22 — Cologne  2/23 — Amsterdamn 2/25 — Paris 2/27 — Antwerp  3/1 — Copenhagen 3/2 — Oslo 3/3 — Stockholm 3/5 — Berlin   

  THE DAMN. TOUR [EUROPE] A post shared by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) on Oct 1, 2017 at 11:08pm PDT

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Kendrick Lamar will headline the first tour of the African continent for the Global Citizen Experience

Rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience, a new initiative to establish an international touring circuit on the continent of Africa launching with a concert in Kigali, Rwanda on Dec. 6.

Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said Lamar’s show at the BK Arena will be financed with a mix of philanthropic donations and corporate funding in hopes the Pulitzer Prize-winning, “Humble” rapper will show the opportunities for artists who appeal to Africa’s  booming generation of young people .

“Move Afrika is about social enterprise – and over time, it provides certainty to our vendors and partners, enabling them to scale and expand,” Evans told The Associated Press. “Our goal is that this tour will spur the growth and development of small businesses across the region to deliver both our events and many more year round, as other artists take advantage of the tour routes.”

African artists — including Burna Boy, Rema, and Davido — have had recent hits around the world. MTV added the  Best Afrobeats Video  category to this year’s Video Music Awards. The Grammys announced they will add an award for  Best African Music Performance  for next year.

Kweku Mandela, Global Citizen’s chief vision officer, said Africans should be available to experience the biggest concerts in the world just like everyone else. “The reason that is so often given is that there’s a lack of infrastructure, lack of technical crews,” Mandela said. “The reality is, there’s just a lack of will, because we’ve seen some of the biggest artists come to this continent over the last few decades.”

In addition to Lamar, Move Afrika: Rwanda will feature other regional artists, curated by Lamar and filmmaker Dave Free’s creative services company pgLang, and an advocacy campaign urging world leaders to take action on issues affecting Africa.

“We’re embarking on generating a paradigm shift,” Mandela said. “Hopefully, this will send a message to the entire industry that not only is there huge, huge opportunity on the continent for them to engage with and embrace, but ultimately, that this is something that is necessary considering where we’re going as a society and as humanity.”

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit  https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy .

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Kendrick Lamar Announces European Leg Of DAMN. Tour

GRAMMY winner will make a trek around Europe in 2018 with James Blake

Kendrick Lamar will be taking his DAMN. tour across the pond in February and March 2018 with singer/songwriter James Blake taking the reins as opening act.

Lamar will land in Dublin on Feb. 7, 2018, for his first date, followed by a jog through the U.K., including two dates in London, and then make his way through Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, and Scandinavia.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZvCoabHlgC/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">THE DAMN. TOUR [EUROPE]</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-10-02T06:08:24+00:00">Oct 1, 2017 at 11:08pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

This follows the GRAMMY winner's successful North American tour this summer, which concluded in early September. Ticket sale details for his European tour have yet to be announced.

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Metro Boomin's Essential Songs: 10 Must-Know Tracks, From "Creepin" To "Like That"

The 2024 GRAMMY nominee for Producer Of The Year is one of hip-hop's most in-demand minds. Between his collab albums with Future and some highly debated beefs with rap's biggest stars, it's the perfect time to revisit the Metro-verse.

Metro Boomin has spent more than a decade redefining rap music. The gloomy, 808-induced trap beats that flood radio airwaves and blare from nightclub speakers are a symbol of his influence. But now, the Atlanta-based superproducer is on one of his biggest musical runs to date.   

In April, Metro released the second of two joint albums with Future , hinted at a third release this year, sold out a concert at the Kundalini Grand Pyramids in Egypt, and clinched the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 with " Like That " featuring Kendrick Lamar. He also delivered a first-of-its-kind instrumental diss aimed at Drake called " BBL Drizzy, " accusing the Toronto rapper of going under the knife.   

The diss was in response to Drake’s " Push Ups " and subsequent disses toward Kendrick Lamar. " Metro shut your hoe ass up and make some drums " he rapped. The verbal blow inspired Metro to release the hilarious instrumental, which he encouraged fans to rap on for a chance to win a free beat.   

Months before the feud, Metro celebrated two nominations for Best Rap Album and Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 66th GRAMMY Awards . While he didn’t take home a coveted golden gramophone, the momentum has elevated his career to new heights.   

Before the St. Louis-bred producer kicks off the We Trust You tour with Future on July 30, revisit 10 of Metro Boomin's biggest releases.   

"Karate Chop" (2013)  

A 19-year-old Metro crafted his first charting single right before making a life-changing move to Atlanta. With piercing synths and bubbly arpeggios, the song was the lead single for Future’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Honest .  

But Metro, a freshman at Morehouse College at the time, wasn’t sold on its success. " I never really like it, " Metro told XXL . " Then every time people would come into the studio, he would always play the record and I was like, ‘Why are you so stuck on this s—? We have way harder records.’ "    

But after cranking out a new mix on the original track, " Karate Chop " went on to become his first placement on a major label album. The remix with Lil Wayne further elevated the record and, by virtue, Metro’s profile as a musical craftsman.   

" Jumpman " (2015)  

  Metro mastered the late-summer anthem in 2015 with " Jumpman . " The song was the most notable hit from Drake and Future’s collaborative mixtape, What a Time to Be Alive, and went on to shut down bustling nightclubs and obscure strip joints. And while the record didn’t perform as well as other songs on this list, it secured Future his first Top 20 hit.   

The song — which features Metro’s signature bass and a screeching raven sound effect — also saw a streaming boost after an Apple Music commercial featuring Taylor Swift rapping to the song. According to Adweek , the campaign helped generate a 431 percent increase in global sales  

  What makes " Jumpman " even more special is that a collab between Future, Metro, and Drake may never happen again. Reportedly, the duo is at odds with Drake because the OVO artist decided to link with 21 Savage on Her Loss instead of doing a follow-up project with Future.   

"Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1" (2016)  

" Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 " is the song that set Kanye West ’s album, Life of Pablo, ablaze. Opening with a clip of gospel musician and singer T.L. Barrett’s Father I Stretch My Hands,” Metro’s signature producer tag kicks the record into full gear. The pulsating synthesizers and bouncy percussion match West’s raunchy and sexually explicit lyrics.   

Metro’s production received significant praise, with several publications pointing to his contributions on end-of-year listings. And in the eight years since its release, " Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 " has been certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America , making it one of Ye’s most-sold records of all time.  

"Congratulations" (2016)  

After the success of "White Iverson," a young Post Malone was on the hunt for the hottest producers in the rap game. He managed to land Metro, who worked with fellow producers Frank Dukes and the prolific Louis Bell on the triumphant trap record "Congratulations."   

On a 2022 episode of the podcast " Full Send ," Metro revealed that the celebratory song was made after watching the world’s greatest athletes eclipse historic feats of their own. "I remember the Olympics was on TV, and just how the music was sounding, it sounded like some champion s—," he said.   

"Congratulations" marked Post Malone’s second Top 20 hit following his debut, "White Iverson." The song was certified diamond after totaling more than 11 million combined sales. Today, it remains one of Metro’s biggest achievements.

"Bad and Boujee " (2017)  

Fueled by virality and a shoutout from Donald Glover at the 2017 Golden Globes , the Migos and Lil Uzi Vert ’s "Bad and Boujee " landed Metro Boomin his first No. 1 Billboard hit as a producer.   

The song has every element Metro fans have grown to love: moody keys, hard-hitting bass, and plenty of room for the artists’ adlibs to pierce through the track.   

Two months before its eventual ascension, the song had a steep hill to climb atop the Billboard charts. But Metro’s production and the chemistry between Quavo , Offset , and Uzi helped the record shoot up to its rightful place. It continues to garner praise In the years since its 2016 release, too. It was ranked No. 451 on Rolling Stone ’s "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list  

"Mask Off" (2017)  

When "Mask Off" dropped in 2017, it scorched the Billboard charts. Hip-hop was flirting with flutes (as heard on songs like Drake’s "Portland" and Kodak Black’s "Tunnel Vision" — another Metro-produced beat) — but "Mask Off" stands out as the biggest song of the short-lived era.   

Metro infused jazz-like undertones to perfectly meld the flute lick into the dark and mystic beat. The record led to the remix with Kendrick Lamar, with his verse breathing new life into the already-seismic hit. It’s now certified nine times platinum.   

Years after the song’s release, Future said "Mask Off" initially put radio programmers in disarray. In his East Atlanta rapper’s Apple Music documentary The WIZRD, he revealed that the song dropped before Carlton WIlliams’ "Prison Song" sample was officially cleared. "Out of all the songs, ‘Mask Off’ wasn’t even legit," he said. "The s— was on the radio, they’re thinking it’s not a sample, but it got so big they were like, ‘It’s a sample.’"  

"Heartless" (2019)  

The Weeknd 's "Heartless" is a pop and electro-clash classic that fires on all cylinders. The visuals are atmospheric, the lyrics are ultra-stimulating, and the production — partly handled by Metro — makes for a lasting club banger.   

The leading single for The Weeknd’s fourth studio album, After Hours, topped the Billboard charts. It marked the Toronto-born crooner’s fourth No. 1 hit and unveiled the depths of Metro’s musical arsenal.   

Metro produced four tracks on After Hours : "Faith," "Escape from L.A.," "Until I Bleed Out" and "Heartless." On the latter and in his other collaborations with The Weeknd , James Blake , and Solange , Metro’s creative sorcery was tested. He proved, once again, that he could generate a hit outside the confines of trap music.   

" Creepin ’ " ( 2022)

After a solid outing on his first album Not All Heroes Wear Capes , Metro returned with another series of hard-hitting records. His second solo venture, Heroes & Villains , featured John Legend , Don Tolliver , Travis Scott , and other premiere artists. But the biggest song to come out of the star-studded lineup was " Creepin ’" featuring 21 Savage and The Weeknd .   

The only single to Metro’s second solo album struck sonic gold. The Weeknd’s flowy vocals overlay the silky and harmonic record, which transitions to a more trap-induced beat once 21 Savage’s verse kicks in. The remake of Mario Winans’ "I Don’t Wanna Know" was a notable departure from Metro’s past singles, which heavily lean on his trap roots. But it still managed to connect with his audience – and even beyond it. " Creepin " peaked at No. 3 on Billboard, which was Metro’s highest-charting solo record up until that point.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)  

Following the success of " Creepin ’" and his other smash singles, Metro extended his creative powers to the film world. He was given the green light to executive produce the soundtrack for Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse .  

Metro Boomin told Indie Wire that he crafted songs from rough animations and selected scenes "just to get in the world and the story of Miles [Morales] and what he’s going through," He even exchanged phone calls and texts with the film’s composer Daniel Pemberton to ensure the soundtrack and score were on the same accord.   

From the classical serenade "Am I Dreaming" to the Latin swing of "Silk & Cologne" and the Timbaland -stomping "Nas Morales," the result was an equally transformative musical experience. Each record ranged in musicality and tone while beautifully complementing the vibrant animated superhero flick.

"Like That" (2024)  

"Like That" is easily one of the best beats in Metro’s catalog, and may end up being one of the most memorable. Samples from Rodney O & Joe Cooley’s "Everlasting Bass" and Eazy-E’s 1989 classic "Eazy-Duz-It" shaped the bouncy trap beat, sinister synths, and spine-chilling baseline. But Kendrick Lamar’s verse turned it into a heat-seeking missile.   

With the song’s thunderous bass and rapid hi-hats in the background, Kendrick dissed J. Cole and Drake for their recent claims of rap supremacy, particularly on 2023’s "First Person Shooter." The lyrical nuke sparked the Civil War-style rap feud, which led to a seven-song exchange between Kendrick and Drake.   

The initial musical blow made the genre stand still. It also led to the massive success of the record, which notched Future and Metro another No. 1 hit song. It also helped the pair’s album, We Don’t Trust You, claim the top spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart.   

Inside The Metro-Verse: How Metro Boomin Went From Behind-The-Scenes Mastermind To Rap's Most In-Demand Producer  

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Baby Keem Celebrate "Family Ties" During Best Rap Performance Win In 2022

Revisit the moment budding rapper Baby Keem won his first-ever gramophone for Best Rap Performance at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards for his Kendrick Lamar collab "Family Ties."

For Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar , The Melodic Blue was a family affair. The two cousins collaborated on three tracks from Keem's 2021 debut LP, "Range Brothers," "Vent," and "Family Ties." And in 2022, the latter helped the pair celebrate a GRAMMY victory.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind , turn the clock back to the night Baby Keem accepted Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties," marking the first GRAMMY win of his career.

"Wow, nothing could prepare me for this moment," Baby Keem said at the start of his speech.

He began listing praise for his "supporting system," including his family and "the women that raised me and shaped me to become the man I am."

Before heading off the stage, he acknowledged his team, who "helped shape everything we have going on behind the scenes," including Lamar. "Thank you everybody. This is a dream."

Baby Keem received four nominations in total at the 2022 GRAMMYs . He was also up for Best New Artist, Best Rap Song, and Album Of The Year as a featured artist on Kanye West 's Donda .

Press play on the video above to watch Baby Keem's complete acceptance speech for Best Rap Performance at the 2022 GRAMMYs, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

How The 2024 GRAMMYs Saw The Return Of Music Heroes & Birthed New Icons

Photos: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage, Karwai Tang/WireImage, Matthew Baker/Getty Images, Pablo Gallardo/Redferns, Kate Green/Getty Images

2023 In Review: 5 Trends That Defined Dance Music

From nostalgia-tinged bangers and genre-blurring releases made by women, to massive tours and high-tech performances, dance music was expansive as ever in 2023.

As any fan can attest, dance music is a broad church spanning myriad micro-genres, fan communities and city-specific scenes. The genre’s reach was as wide as ever in 2023, stretching from the biggest festival stages to the most intimate clubs, with variations in moods and beats-per-minute to suit all tastes. 

Nostalgia for rave’s ‘90s heyday was everywhere, fueling big-name releases and underground club sets alike. [ Surprise supergroups ](https://www.grammy.com/news/coachella-2023-weekend-2-recap-skrillex-four-tet-fred-again-gorillaz-bad-bunny-eric-pyrdz-performances-surprises-video) and [ long-time collaborators ](https://www.grammy.com/news/skrillex-fred-again-friendship-timeline-collaborations-videos) hit big in 2023, while albums from [ James Blake ](https://www.grammy.com/artists/james-blake/17760) , [ the Chemical Brothers ](https://www.grammy.com/artists/chemical-brothers/7746) , Disclosure and Everything But The Girl showed there’s still power in the electronic LP format. 

With festivals and DJ touring schedules back to a pre-COVID pace, dance music also enjoyed a busy year on the road. Across North America, [ ILLENIUM ](https://www.grammy.com/artists/Illenium/38165) , G Jones, ZHU and ODESZA (not to mention Beyoncé’s house music-indebted Renaissance tour) sold out venues across the country. In a genre that can feel impossible to get your arms around, these five trends were undeniable in 2023. 

Everything Old Was New Again

Wherever you looked this year, DJ-producers were reaching back to the racing sounds of trance, rave and Eurodance that dominated dancefloors in the ‘90s and early 2000s. David Guetta and Calvin Harris spent 2023 memorably mining this past — the latter’s "Desire," featuring Sam Smith , could be ripped straight from a decades-old pop-trance compilation. 

Meanwhile, South Korean DJ-producer Peggy Gou released "(It Goes Like) Nanana," a dance-pop earworm with shades of ATB’s late ‘90s hit, "9PM (Till I Come)." Already a hugely popular draw as a DJ, Gou’s time-warping groover became her first Billboard chart entry and ignited buzz for her debut artist album, expected in 2024. 

On the less commercial spectrum, European producers like DJ Heartstring, Narciss and Marlon Hoffstadt continued to contextualize vintage sounds for a new audience. Meanwhile, a cluster of Dutch DJs, most notably Job Jobse, Young Marco and KI/KI, played throwback anthem-fuelled sets on festival stages usually reserved for steely techno, including at Dekmantel and Time Warp. 

For some DJs, looking back to the past meant embracing the fast and furious tempos of hardstyle and hard dance, two subgenres with passionate niche followings but little mainstream crossover. Continuing a trend from 2022, speedier BPMs were very much in vogue, as DJs kept pace with fans demanding a harder, faster workout. 

Women Danced To The Front 

Many of the year’s most invigorating and genre-blurring releases were made by women. Having built a steady career as a producer and singer, Kenya Grace broke out in 2023 with "Strangers," which caught fire on TikTok and converted new fans via a sleek mix of pop, drum & bass and Grace’s hushed vocals. Peggy Gou’s aforementioned "(It Goes Like) Nanana," also captured the TikTok zeitgeist with a widely-viewed video of Gou teasing the single for a dancefloor in Morocco. 

Electronic chameleon [ Charli XCX ](https://www.grammy.com/artists/charli-xcx/18360) stayed squarely in the limelight, following 2022’s stellar * Crash * with the one-two punch of "In The City" featuring Sam Smith and "Speed Drive"(from * Barbie the Album * , which is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media alongside * AURORA * , * Weird: The Al Yankovic Story * , * Black Panther: Wakanda Forever- Music From And Inspired By * , and * Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3: Awesome Mix * ). Meanwhile, two of the year’s standout albums came from women coloring outside the lines of their best-known projects: the xx vocalist Romy’s * Mid Air * embraced her queerness through euphoric dance-pop, while Aluna (of electronic duo AlunaGeorge) blossomed as a solo artist and activist on her second album, * MYCELiUM * . 

While dance music’s ranks remained largely white and male in 2023, undeniable albums from the likes of Jayda G, PinkPanthress and Róisín Murphy were a welcome counterbalance. 

UK Bass Got Bombastic

Following the runaway success of Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal’s 2022 UK garage-tinged house anthem "B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)" the previous year, British bass music continued to shine in 2023. 

While still relatively niche in the U.S., the UK garage (UKG) and bassline subgenres that thrived in the Y2K era found a new generation of British converts, thanks to releases like Interplanetary Criminal’s * All Thru The Night * and Conducta’s * In Transit * EP. Elsewhere, acclaimed British singer/songwriter Jorja Smith tapped her UKG roots on the irresistible single "Little Things." 

Welsh duo Overmono weaved garage textures into their accomplished debut album, * Good Lies * , and rounded out the year with a powerful Boiler Room live set from Manchester’s Warehouse Project. The set and album cemented their bona fides as the UK’s next dance festival headliner. 

The many mutations of UK bass music shone bright all year in DJ sets from the likes of Anz, Nia Archives, Jyoty and Joy Anonymous. (The latter’s near-three-hour set with Austrian producer salute and New Jersey-born garage godfather Todd Edwards at Amsterdam Dance Event captured the jubilant mix of house and UKG that was dominant this year.) 

Bringing it full circle, Eliza Rose parlayed the success of "B.O.T.A." into a collaboration with Calvin Harris on this year’s housey "Body Moving," which started with the pair exchanging Instagram DMs. 

Technology Upped The Ante

In a year where artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement were burning topics, a wave of dance music artists found new ways to embrace the future. 

The possibilities of technology to enhance live performance were on full display in two raved-about Coachella sets. Swedish veteran [ Eric Prydz ](https://www.grammy.com/artists/eric-prydz/5679) brought his HOLO show to the California festival, deploying cutting-edge tech to create giant holographic images that extend over the crowd. Meanwhile, inside the festival's Sahara Tent, melodic techno duo Tale Of Us completed their transition to EDM crowd-pleasers with a full-scale audiovisual spectacle that explored themes of robot-human connection. (One half of the duo, Matteo Milleri, is also all-in on NFTs.) 

Meanwhile, techno favorite Nicole Moudaber debuted an AV show in which her own movements control a towering digital avatar. The year also saw big-name DJs embracing the metaverse — from Carl Cox playing a set in the Sensorium Galaxy to Swedish House Mafia joining the Roblox platform — in a trend that’s sure to carry into 2024. 

Techno & Techno-House Go Center Stage

Continuing a trend from 2022, big room techno and tech-house muscled onto U.S. festival stages usually reserved for EDM anthems. In particular, tech-house — which in 2023 sounds a world away from the raw UK club records that birthed the subgenre — cemented its place in the mainstream with Fisher and Chris Lake’s back-to-back set at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre. (Later in the year, the pair shut down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles for an epic street party.) 

Both coming off a star-making 2022, tech-house mischief-makers John Summit and Dom Dolla leveled up with bigger shows and feverish fan followings. Meanwhile, Belgian sensation Charlotte de Witte became the techno artist booked on the Ultra Miami main stage, scheduled incongruously alongside the likes of Zedd and Afrojack, while in Europe, techno specialists Amelie Lens and Nina Kraviz were given the same honor (and challenge) for a sprawling crowd at Tomorrowland. 

Whether mining the past or accelerating into the future, the dance/electronic genre never stood still this year, setting the stage for a thrilling 2024.  

[ 2023 In Review: 5 Trends That Defined Pop Music ](https://www.grammy.com/news/pop-music-trends-2023-year-in-review-taylor-swift-sza)

Credit: Paul Natkin/Getty Images

20 Iconic Hip-Hop Style Moments: From Run-D.M.C. To Runways

From Dapper Dan's iconic '80s creations to Kendrick Lamar's 2023 runway performance, hip-hop's influence and impact on style and fashion is undeniable. In honor of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, look back at the culture's enduring effect on fashion.

In the world of hip-hop, fashion is more than just clothing. It's a powerful means of self-expression, a cultural statement, and a reflection of the ever-evolving nature of the culture.

Since its origin in 1973 , hip-hop has been synonymous with style —  but the epochal music category known for breakbeats and lyrical flex also elevated, impacted, and revolutionized global fashion in a way no other genre ever has.   

Real hip-hop heads know this. Before Cardi B was gracing the Met Gala in Mugler and award show red carpets in custom Schiaparelli, Dapper Dan was disassembling garment bags in his Harlem studio in the 1980s, tailoring legendary looks for rappers that would appear on famous album cover art. Crescendo moments like Kendrick Lamar ’s performance at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2023 runway show in Paris in June 2022 didn’t happen without a storied trajectory toward the runway.

Big fashion moments in hip-hop have always captured the camera flash, but finding space to tell the bigger story of hip-hop’s connection and influence on fashion has not been without struggle. Journalist and author Sowmya Krishnamurphy said plenty of publishers passed on her anthology on the subject, F ashion Killa: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion , and "the idea of hip hop fashion warranting 80,000 words." 

"They didn't think it was big enough or culturally important," Krishnamurphy tells GRAMMY.com, "and of course, when I tell people that usually, the reaction is they're shocked."

Yet, at the 50 year anniversary , sands continue to shift swiftly. Last year exhibitions like the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip-Hop Style popped up alongside notable publishing releases including journalist Vikki Tobak’s, Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry Story . Tabak’s second published release covering hip-hop’s influence on style, following her 2018 title, Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop.

"I wanted to go deeper into the history," Krishnamurphy continues. "The psychology, the sociology, all of these important factors that played a role in the rise of hip-hop and the rise of hip-hop fashion"

What do the next 50 years look like? "I would love to see a hip-hop brand, whether it be from an artist, a designer, creative director, somebody from the hip-hop space, become that next great American heritage brand," said Krishnamurphy.

In order to look forward we have to look back. In celebration of hip-hop’s 50 year legacy, GRAMMY.com examines iconic moments that have defined and inspired generations. From Tupac walking the runways at Versace to Gucci's inception-esque knockoff of Dapper Dan, these moments in hip-hop fashion showcase how artists have used clothing, jewelry, accessories, and personal style to shape the culture and leave an indelible mark on the world.

*The cover art to Eric B and Rakim’s* Paid in Full

Dapper Dan And Logomania: Luxury + High Fashion Streetwear

Dapper Dan, the legendary designer known as "the king of knock-offs," played a pivotal role in transforming luxury fashion into a symbol of empowerment and resistance for hip-hop stars, hustlers, and athletes starting in the 1980s. His Harlem boutique, famously open 24 hours a day, became a hub where high fashion collided with the grit of the streets.

Dapper Dan's customized, tailored outfits, crafted from deconstructed and transformed luxury items, often came with significantly higher price tags compared to ready-to-wear luxury fashion. A friend and favorite of artists like LL Cool J and Notorious B.I.G. , Dapper Dan created iconic one-of-a-kind looks seen on artists like Eric B and Rakim’s on the cover of their Paid in Full album.

This fusion, marked by custom pieces emblazoned with designer logos, continues to influence hip-hop high fashion streetwear. His story — which began with endless raids by luxury houses like Fendi, who claimed copyright infringement — would come full circle with brands like Gucci later paying homage to his legacy.

Athleisure Takes Over

Hip-hop's intersection with sportswear gave rise to the "athleisure" trend in the 1980s and '90s, making tracksuits, sweatshirts, and sneakers everyday attire. This transformation was propelled by iconic figures such as Run-D.M.C . and their association with Adidas, as seen in photoshoots and music videos for tracks like "My Adidas."

*LL Cool J. Photo: Paul Natkin/Getty Images*

LL Cool J’s Kangol Hat

The Kangol hat holds a prominent place in hip-hop fashion, often associated with the genre's early days in the '80s and '90s. This popular headwear became a symbol of casual coolness, popularized by hip-hop pioneers like LL Cool J and Run-D.M.C. The simple, round shape and the Kangaroo logo on the front became instantly recognizable, making the Kangol an essential accessory that was synonymous with a laid-back, streetwise style.

*Dr. Dre, comedian T.K. Kirkland, Eazy-E, and Too Short in 1989. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images*

N.W.A & Sports Team Representation

Hip-hop, and notably N.W.A. , played a significant role in popularizing sports team representation in fashion. The Los Angeles Raiders' gear became synonymous with West Coast hip-hop thanks to its association with the group's members Dr. Dre , Eazy-E, and Ice Cube , as well as MC Ren.

 *Slick Rick in 1991. Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives*

Slick Rick’s Rings & Gold Chains

Slick Rick "The Ruler" has made a lasting impact on hip-hop jewelry and fashion with his kingly display of jewelry and wealth. His trendsetting signature look — a fistful of gold rings and a neck heavily layered with an array of opulent chains — exuded a sense of grandeur and self-confidence. Slick Rick's bold and flamboyant approach to jewelry and fashion remains a defining element of hip-hop's sartorial history, well documented in Tobak's Ice Cold.

Tupac Walks The Versace Runway Show

Tupac Shakur's runway appearance at the 1996 Versace runway show was a remarkable and unexpected moment in fashion history. The show was part of Milan Fashion Week, and Versace was known for pushing boundaries and embracing popular culture in their designs. In Fashion Killa , Krishnamurpy documents Shakur's introduction to Gianni Versace and his participation in the 1996 Milan runway show, where he walked arm-in-arm with Kadida Jones.

*TLC. Photo: Tim Roney/Getty Images*

Women Embrace Oversized Styles

Oversized styles during the 1990s were not limited to menswear; many women in hip-hop during this time adopted a "tomboy" aesthetic. This trend was exemplified by artists like Aaliyah ’s predilection for crop tops paired with oversized pants and outerwear (and iconic outfits like her well-remembered Tommy Hilfiger look.)

Many other female artists donned oversized, menswear-inspired looks, including TLC and their known love for matching outfits featuring baggy overalls, denim, and peeking boxer shorts and Missy Elliott 's famous "trash bag" suit worn in her 1997 music video for "The Rain." Speaking to Elle Magazine two decades after the original video release Elliot told the magazine that it was a powerful symbol that helped mask her shyness, "I loved the idea of feeling like a hip hop Michelin woman."

Diddy Launches Sean John

Sean "Diddy" Combs ’ launch of Sean John in 1998 was about more than just clothing. Following the success of other successful sportswear brands by music industry legends like Russell Simmons ’ Phat Farm, Sean John further represented a lifestyle and a cultural movement. Inspired by his own fashion sensibilities, Diddy wanted to create elevated clothing that reflected the style and swagger of hip-hop. From tailored suits to sportswear, the brand was known for its bold designs and signature logo, and shared space with other successful brands like Jay-Z ’s Rocawear and model Kimora Lee Simmons' brand Baby Phat.

 *Lil' Kim. Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images*

Lil’ Kim Steals The Show

Lil' Kim ’s daring and iconic styles found a kindred home at Versace with

In 1999, Lil' Kim made waves at the MTV Video Music Awards with her unforgettable appearance in a lavender jumpsuit designed by Donatella Versace. This iconic moment solidified her close relationship with the fashion designer, and their collaboration played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of hip-hop fashion, pushing boundaries and embracing bold, daring styles predating other newsworthy moments like J.Lo’ s 2000 appearance in "The Dress" at the GRAMMY Awards.

Lil Wayne Popularizes "Bling Bling"

Juvenile & Lil Wayne 's "Bling Bling" marked a culturally significant moment. Coined in the late 1990s by Cash Money Records, the term "bling bling" became synonymous with the excessive and flashy display of luxury jewelry. Lil Wayne and the wider Cash Money roster celebrated this opulent aesthetic, solidifying the link between hip-hop music and lavish jewelry. As a result, "bling" became a cornerstone of hip-hop's visual identity.

Jay-Z x Nike Air Force 1

In 2004, Jay-Z's partnership with Nike produced the iconic "Roc-A-Fella" Air Force 1 sneakers, a significant collaboration that helped bridge the worlds of hip-hop and sneaker culture. These limited-edition kicks in white and blue colorways featured the Roc-A-Fella Records logo on the heel and were highly coveted by fans. The collaboration exemplified how hip-hop artists could have a profound impact on sneaker culture and streetwear by putting a unique spin on classic designs. Hova's design lives on in limitless references to fresh white Nike kicks.

Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams. Photo: Mark Davis/WireImage

Pharrell Williams' Hat At The 2014 GRAMMYs

Pharrell Williams made a memorable red carpet appearance at the 2014 GRAMMY Awards in a distinctive and oversized brown hat. Designed by Vivienne Westwood, the hat quickly became the talk of the event and social media. A perfect blend of sartorial daring, Pharrell's hat complemented his red Adidas track jacket while accentuating his unique sense of style. An instant fashion moment, the look sparked innumerable memes and, likely, a renewed interest in headwear.

Kanye’s Rise & Fall At Adidas (2013-2022)

Much more than a "moment," the rise and eventual fall of Kanye ’s relationship with Adidas, was as documented in a recent investigation by the New York Times . The story begins in 2013 when West and the German sportswear brand agreed to enter a partnership. The collaboration would sell billions of dollars worth of shoes, known as "Yeezys," until West’s anti-semitic, misogynistic, fat-phobic, and other problematic public comments forced the Adidas brand to break from the partnership amid public outrage.

Supreme Drops x Hip-Hop Greats

Supreme, with its limited drops, bold designs, and collaborations with artists like Nas and Wu-Tang Clan , stands as a modern embodiment of hip-hop's influence on streetwear. The brand's ability to create hype, long lines outside its stores, and exclusive artist partnerships underscores the enduring synergy between hip-hop and street fashion.

*A model walks the runway at the Gucci Cruise 2018 show. Photo: Pietro D'Aprano/Getty Images*

Gucci Pays "homage" to Dapper Dan

When Gucci released a collection in 2017 that seemingly copied Dapper Dan's distinctive style, (particularly one look that seemed to be a direct re-make of a jacket he had created for Olympian Dionne Dixon in the '80s), it triggered outrage and accusations of cultural theft. This incident sparked a conversation about the fashion industry's tendency to co-opt urban and streetwear styles without proper recognition, while also displaying flagrant symbols of racism through designs.

Eventually, spurred by public outrage, the controversy led to a collaboration between Gucci and Dapper Dan , a significant moment in luxury fashion's acknowledgement and celebration of the contributions of Black culture, including streetwear and hip-hop to high fashion. "Had Twitter not spotted the, "Diane Dixon" [jacket] walking down the Gucci runway and then amplified that conversation on social media... I don't think we would have had this incredible comeback," Sowmya Krishnamurphy says.

A$AP Rocky x DIOR

Self-proclaimed "Fashion Killa" A$AP Rocky is a true fashion aficionado. In 2016, the sartorially obsessed musician and rapper became one of the faces of Dior Homme’s fall/winter campaign shot by photographer Willy Vanderperre — an early example of Rocky's many high fashion collaborations with the luxury European brand.

A$AP Rocky's tailored style and impeccable taste for high fashion labels was eloquently enumerated in the track "Fashion Killa" from his 2013 debut album Long. Live. ASAP , which namedrops some 36 luxury fashion brands. The music video for "Fashion Killa" was co-directed by Virgil Abloh featuring a Supreme jersey-clad Fenty founder, Rihanna long before the two became one of music’s most powerful couples. The track became an anthem for hip-hop’s appreciation for high fashion (and serves as the title for Krishnamurphy’s recently published anthology). 

*Cardi B. Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage*

Cardi B Wears Vintage Mugler At The 2019 GRAMMYs

Cardi B has solidified her "it girl" fashion status in 2018 and 2019 with bold and captivating style choices and designer collaborations that consistently turn heads. Her 2019 GRAMMYs red carpet appearance in exaggerated vintage Mugler gown, and many custom couture Met Gala looks by designers including Jeremy Scott and Thom Browne that showcased her penchant for drama and extravagance.

But Cardi B's fashion influence extends beyond her penchant for custom high-end designer pieces (like her 2021 gold-masked Schiaparelli look, one of nine looks in an evening.) Her unique ability to blend couture glamour with urban chic (she's known for championing emerging designers and streetwear brands) fosters a sense of inclusivity and diversity, and makes her a true trendsetter.

Beyoncé & Jay-Z in Tiffany & Co.’s "About Love" campaign

The power duo graced Tiffany & Co.'s "About Love'' campaign in 2021, showcasing the iconic "Tiffany Yellow Diamond," a 128.54-carat yellow worn by Beyoncé alongside a tuxedo-clad Jay-Z. The campaign sparked controversy in several ways, with some viewers unable to reconcile the use of such a prominent and historically significant diamond, sourced at the hands of slavery, in a campaign that could be seen as commercializing and diluting the diamond's cultural and historical importance. Despite mixed reaction to the campaign, their stunning appearance celebrated love, adorned with Tiffany jewels and reinforced their status as a power couple in both music and fashion.

Kendrick Lamar Performs At Louis Vuitton

When Kendrick Lamar performed live at the Louis Vuitton Men’s spring-summer 2023 runway show in Paris in June 2022 following the passing of Louis Vuitton’s beloved creative director Virgil Abloh, he underscored the inextricable connection between music, fashion and Black American culture.

Lamar sat front row next to Naomi Campbell, adorned with a jeweled crown of thorns made from diamonds and white gold worth over $2 million, while he performed tracks including "Savior," "N95," and "Rich Spirit'' from his last album, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers before ending with a repeated mantra, "Long live Virgil." A giant children’s toy racetrack erected in the Cour Carrée of the Louvre became a yellow brick road where models marched, clad in designer looks with bold, streetwear-inspired design details, some strapped with oversized wearable stereo systems.

Pharrell Succeeds Virgil Abloh At Louis Vuitton

Pharrell Williams' appointment as the creative director at Louis Vuitton for their men's wear division in 2023 emphasized hip-hop's enduring influence on global fashion. Pharrell succeeded Virgil Abloh, who was the first Black American to hold the position.

Pharrell's path to this prestigious role, marked by his 2004 and 2008 collaborations with Louis Vuitton, as well as the founding of his streetwear label Billionaire Boy’s Club in 2006 alongside Nigo, the founder of BAPE and Kenzo's current artistic director, highlights the growing diversity and acknowledgment of Black talent within high fashion.

Listen To GRAMMY.com's 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop Playlist: 50 Songs That Show The Genre's Evolution

• 1 Kendrick Lamar Announces European Leg Of DAMN. Tour
• 2 Metro Boomin's Essential Songs: 10 Must-Know Tracks, From "Creepin" To "Like That"
• 3 GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Baby Keem Celebrate "Family Ties" During Best Rap Performance Win In 2022
• 4 2023 In Review: 5 Trends That Defined Dance Music
• 5 20 Iconic Hip-Hop Style Moments: From Run-D.M.C. To Runways

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Kendrick Lamar teams on ‘pioneering’ tour series

Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience is bidding to establish a "first-of-its-kind" touring circuit throughout Africa

By James Hanley on 06 Nov 2023

Kendrick Lamar

image © Flickr/Kenny Sun

Kendrick Lamar is teaming with international advocacy organisation Global Citizen on a “pioneering” new concert series aiming to establish a “first-of-its-kind” touring circuit throughout Africa.

The American rapper’s creative imprint pgLang will serve as the curator of Move Afrika up to 2028, with plans to expand the “long term, large scale effort” to five countries over the next two years.

Lamar will headline its debut major music event at the 10,000-cap BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on 6 December. Tickets are priced from 50,000-85,000 Rwandan francs (€38-65).

“Our goal with Move Afrika is to inspire local youth and artists to unlock their creativity,” says a statement from pgLang. “We hope to curate an immersive experience that empowers various communities and cultures across Africa and around the world for a lifetime.”

Rwanda will host Move Afrika for the next five years in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board. Further countries will then be added to the tour schedule each year.

“Move Afrika will drive transformative investments across Africa through the pioneering of a world-class touring circuit”

Move Afrika is bidding to set “a new gold-standard for entertainment touring events”, while increasing demand from international and regional artists to tour in the region and building local capacity within host cities. It is designed to drive transformative investments within local communities, engage local artists, vendors, agencies and crews, and provide opportunities for on-the-job skill development and training.

“Africa is driving culture and creativity globally, but the continent has been left out of the global music touring circuit for too long,” says Global Citizen co-founder and CEO Hugh Evans. “By moving from one-off events to the sustained commitment of an annual tour, Move Afrika will drive transformative investments across Africa through the pioneering of a world-class touring circuit.

“Move Afrika will pave the way for many more artists to tour the continent, while generating new economic opportunities within the entertainment industry for Africa’s booming youth generation. We are incredibly excited to bring this vision to life with pgLang and Kendrick Lamar, and are grateful for our partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, who share our belief in this vision.”

Move Afrika is Global Citizen’s latest effort to address the world’s inequities by creating job and entrepreneurship opportunities through live events. The organisation’s previous events in Africa include: Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, which brought Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Eddie Vedder and Chris Martin to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018.

In addition, Global Citizen Live: Lagos featured Davido, Femi Kuti, and Tiwa Savage at Fela Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in 2021, while Global Citizen Festival: Accra brought Usher, SZA, Stormzy and TEMS to Black Star Square in 2022.

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Kendrick Lamar Announces Los Angeles ‘Ken and Friends’ Concert for Juneteenth

By Emily Zemler

Emily Zemler

Kendrick Lamar has announced a one-off concert in Los Angeles in honor of Juneteenth . The show, set for the Kia Forum and produced by pgLang and Free Lunch, is entitled The Pop Out — Ken and Friends and will kick off at 4 p.m. on June 19.

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The rap war between Lamar and Drake has been going strong for several months now. Since Lamar took aim at Drake with his verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s  “Like That ” in March, the Compton and Canadian rappers have traded dozens of verses. In May, Rolling Stone declared Lamar the ultimate victor , noting that “overall, Lamar’s shots hit harder.”

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The 24 best songs of 2024 so far

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With nearly half of 2024 behind us, it’s looking unlikely that anyone will top Taylor Swift’s record sales, that anyone will write a diss-track grimmer than “Meet the Grahams” or that anyone will cancel an arena tour more unhappily than Jennifer Lopez just did hers. What we will get over the next 6 1/2 months are more great songs (and more terrible ones) that go on to define the year. Yet mid-June presents an opportunity to take stock of what’s already come. Here, in alphabetical order by artist’s name — and with a Spotify playlist at the end that collects them all — are the 24 best songs of 2024 so far.

Beyoncé, “II Hands II Heaven” Months after “ Cowboy Carter’s ” release, this sprawling yet intricate electro-country fantasia still feels like it’s revealing itself.

Laci Kaye Booth , “Cigarettes” A song about thwarted ambition that should broaden this country songwriter’s professional horizons.

Camila Cabello feat. Playboi Carti, “I Luv It” Never underestimate the motivating force of a few years without a hit.

Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso” “Me espresso” may end up the year’s best pop neologism — but let’s not overlook the linguistic invention in “Walked in and dream-came-true’d it for you.”

Diiv, “Brown Paper Bag” Savor the bad vibes of a world in decline.

Billie Eilish, “Birds of a Feather” The shimmering guitar? The shoulder-rocking beat? The breathy vocal runs? Let Billie bop.

All of Billie Eilish’s senses are alive on the ravishing ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’

The pop star’s new album gives the impression of someone who’s accepted the unnatural demands of stardom and wants to figure out how to lead a full life in spite of them.

May 17, 2024

Ernest feat. Lukas Nelson, “Why Dallas” Pitch-perfect western swing from one of Nashville’s modern pros.

Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, “Like That” Look what they made him do.

GloRilla with Megan Thee Stallion, “Wanna Be” Look what he made them do.

Ariana Grande, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” Think of the similarities to Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” as a feature, not a bug: Fourteen years after that Swedish singer gifted lonely clubgoers with the ultimate sad banger, Grande jacks Robyn’s groove for a song about the blissful agony of remembering.

Norah Jones , “Running” Scuzzy in a good way.

Tori Kelly, “High Water” This self-affirming pop-soul anthem would’ve owned “TRL.”

Where do Kendrick Lamar and Drake go from here?

The feud between the two superstar rappers appeared to climax over the weekend. What will it mean for their careers going forward?

May 7, 2024

Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” The kill shot from Lamar’s beef with Drake has reached the point where you’re sure to hear it half a dozen times — including from the organist — over the course of a game at Dodger Stadium.

Dua Lipa, “These Walls” Whether or not we can officially declare “ Radical Optimism ” a flop, Lipa must be discouraged by the fact that her latest LP sits 30 slots behind Fleetwood Mac’s half-century-old “Rumours” right now on the Billboard 200. And yet! Here’s a luscious soft-rock jam that Christine McVie herself might’ve admired.

Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help” “Dukes of Hazzard” reboot in 3, 2, 1…

Mk.gee, “Are You Looking Up” Imagine John Mayer’s “ Sob Rock ” as a DIY SoundCloud experiment.

Kacey Musgraves, “Deeper Well” Walk on the mild side.

How Kacey Musgraves opened herself back up to love

The country star’s sixth studio album, ‘Deeper Well,’ contemplates renewal and self-care after a divorce. ‘Kacey just wants to grow,’ says one friend.

March 13, 2024

Charlie Puth, “Hero” It’s true, you know — he really should be a bigger artist.

Tommy Richman, “Million Dollar Baby” Your post-peak Justin Timberlake could never (and indeed with his latest did not).

Chappell Roan , “Good Luck, Babe!” “When you wake up next to him in the middle of the night / With your head in your hands, you’re nothing more than his wife.”

Sasha Alex Sloan, “Tiny’s Song (demo)” Careful — this hushed guitar-and-voice ballad is about a missing pet, and it will destroy you.

Taylor Swift, “But Daddy I Love Him” Grandly theatrical, righteously aggrieved and witheringly funny, the high point of “ The Tortured Poets Department ” is a Taylor all-timer.

Tems, “Love Me JeJe” All the sweat and pleasure of summer in a song.

Xavi, “La Diabla” Música Mexicana meets Midwestern emo; big feelings — and TikTok virality — ensue.

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Mikael Wood is pop music critic for the Los Angeles Times.

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Terrace Martin Hypes up New Kendrick Lamar Album

Dot just announced a pop-up show in los angeles this month..

Kendrick Lamar is reportedly back in the studio for a brand new album.

The news was shared by producer Terrace Martin , who hopped on Instagram Live and named Dot’s upcoming album as one of the records he’s most hyped about. “Aye, let me tell y’all the records I’m excited for. I’m excited for YG’s album, I’m excited for Mustard’s album. I’m excited for a lot of people, but there’s two albums, I’m going crazy, I can’t wait ’til they drop,” he said first, “Roddy Ricch album and whenever Kendrick drops his album, I’m excited for those two. Those two Compton artists is like, I’m excited. So much shit bubbling, you know?”

#TerraceMartin says he is super excited for #RoddyRicch and #KendrickLamar ’s albums on his Instagram Live! 👀 Possible Roddy Ricch x Kendrick Lamar collab finally happening⁉️ #THENAVYALBUM LOADING… 💿 (via @terracemartin on Instagram) pic.twitter.com/Ais4Kh8bJW — RICCHSZN (@ricchszn) June 4, 2024

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Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud Timeline: Drake Deletes Diss Track References From Instagram

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Drake seems to be moving on from his dramatic beef with Kendrick Lamar, first promising “summer vibes up next" and then deleting all traces of the pair's musical back-and-forth from his Instagram a month after the two attacked each other with lyrics that included wild allegations of infidelity, domestic violence, secret children and an affinity for underage girls.

Drake appeared to respond to Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Euphoria" in an Instagram Story post ... [+] Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

June 5 Fans on Wednesday noticed all of Drake's posts on Instagram referencing the beef, including the post promoting his latest diss track, "The Heart Part 6," had been quietly deleted. Drake seemed to indicate he would be putting the rap battle behind him in a May 12 Instagram story post that read, “Good times. Summer vibes up next.”

May 24 Drake featured on Sexyy Red’s “ U My Everything ,” his first release since his series of diss tracks; halfway through his verse, the beat switches up and he raps over Metro Boomin’s “BBL Drizzy” beat, saying he and “the surgeon got history” and “BBL Drizzy, they want a new body, they ask me for it.”

May 13 Lamar and Drake’s feud took over this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart as Lamar’s “Not Like Us” debuted at No. 1 with more than 70 million streams, “Euphoria” rose from No. 11 to No. 3 and “Like That” rose two spots to No. 6, while Drake’s “Family Matters” entered at No. 7.

May 11 A person who allegedly trespassed on Drake’s property on May 9 returned to Drake’s home in Toronto “to get his bike back,” police told NBC News , but he did not “leave the property when directed” and was given a ticket.

May 9 A trespasser at Drake’s Toronto home was involved in an altercation with security guards around 3:30 p.m. before being taken to the hospital, Toronto Police spokesperson Laura Brabant told Forbes —marking the third incident at Drake’s house in as many days.

May 8 Officers were called to Drake’s property after a person attempted to gain access to the property, and the person was apprehended under Ontario’s mental health act and taken to receive medical assistance, Toronto Police spokesperson Ashley Visser confirmed to Forbes ( CNN reported the incident was not related to Tuesday’s shooting at Drake’s house, citing police).

May 7 Lamar's "Not Like Us" broke a Spotify streaming record to become the most streamed American hip-hip song in a single-day with 6.59 million.

May 7 "Euphoria" by Lamar debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 , with Future’s "Like That" (guest-starring Lamar) at No. 8 and "Push Ups" by Drake at No. 17.

May 7 A security guard was shot outside of Drake's sprawling Toronto estate early Tuesday morning, in what police told CBC was a drive-by shooting—it’s unclear if the shooting was related to the beef between the two artists, though Lamar used a Google Maps image of his rival’s house for the cover of his latest diss track, or if Drake was home at the time (neither artist has reacted publicly to the shooting).

May 5 Drake denied Lamar’s latest claims about his history and flat-out stated “I never been with no one under age” in a Sunday night release called “The Heart Part 6," in which he says he and his team purposefully fed his adversary false information (including about a secret daughter) in the hopes he'd use it in a song: "We plotted for a week and then we fed you the information/A daughter that’s 11 years old, I bet he takes it.”

May 5 Producer Metro Boomin jumped into the beef by releasing a beat called “BBL Drizzy,” and inviting fans to rap over it, offering a free beat to the best song; Drake previously dissed Boomin on “Push Ups” by telling him to “shut up and make some drums.”

May 4 Lamar dropped yet another diss track, his third song in 36 hours, titled “Not Like Us” early Saturday evening in which he alludes to Drake’s alleged affinity for younger women and calls him and people on his team “certified pedophiles.”

May 4 Drake posted an Instagram story denying Lamar’s claim of a secret daughter, writing: “nahhhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me.”

May 3 Lamar dropped a second Drake diss track , “ 6:16 in LA ”—likely a play on a format Drake has often used for song titles, including his “8am in Charlotte” and “5am in Toronto”—in which Lamar alleges Drake’s own team is against him, rapping that “everyone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it,” and stating Drake “can't ‘Toosie Slide’ up out of this one,” a reference to his 2020 song.

May 3 Lamar hit back at Drake with “ Meet the Grahams ,” a reference to Drake’s legal name, Aubrey Drake Graham, calling him a “narcissist, misogynist, livin’ inside his songs" and suggesting the star fathered a daughter he has never publicly addressed. (Read more about the two new diss tracks ).

May 3 Drake released a new single “ Family Matters ” Friday night—slamming Lamar’s engagement to longtime partner Whitney Alford and suggesting infidelity within their relationship.

May 2 “Euphoria” jumped from No. 19 to No. 1 on the daily U.S. Spotify chart , while Drake’s “Push Ups” rose from No. 15 to No. 11, marking a big increase in streams for both rappers—Drake ranks No. 2 on the Spotify artists daily chart , while Lamar rose from No. 9 to No. 3, both behind Taylor Swift.

May 1 Drake seemingly responded to Lamar’s diss by posting a clip from the 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You” on his Instagram story in which Julia Stiles’ character Kat lists all the reasons she hates Heath Ledger’s character Patrick—possibly mirroring a part of “ Euphoria ” where Lamar lists reasons he hates Drake.

April 30 Lamar dropped “ Euphoria ,” a six-minute long diss track in which he lambasts Drake’s biracial identity (suggesting he shouldn’t be able to say the n-word), slams the rapper’s ability as a father and calls Drake a “scam artist,” questioning his authenticity as a rapper.

April 21 Kanye West jumped into the beef on a remix of “ Like That ,” taking shots at Drake’s music and his deal with Universal Music Group, stating he and his collaborators are “ energized ” for the “elimination of Drake.”

April 19 Drake released another diss track, “ Taylor Made Freestyle ,” using AI-generated voices of Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac Shakur to diss Lamar, daring him to respond: “We waitin' on you,” Drake rapped.

April 15 Ross responded to Drake with “ Champagne Moments ,” alleging that Drake had multiple cosmetic procedures done including a nose job and ab surgery, while also accusing him of using ghostwriters (an accusation Drake has repeatedly denied).

April 13 Drake’s response to Lamar, “Push Ups,” leaked online (before its April 19 release), with lyrics slamming Lamar’s shorter stature and his mainstream collaborations with Taylor Swift and Maroon 5, while also dissing other artists including Rick Ross and The Weeknd.

April 7 Just two days after releasing “7 Minute Drill,” J. Cole backed down from the feud, stating he felt pressured to respond because “the world wanna see blood.”

April 5 J. Cole dropped his own Lamar diss track, “ 7 Minute Drill ,” in which he fired “warning shots” at the rapper, accusing him of seeking “attention” and slamming his latest music releases as “tragic.”

March 22 Lamar responded on his verse on Metro Boomin and Future’s song “Like That,” slamming the rappers for “sneak dissing” and rejecting their idea of the “big three,” instead rapping: “It’s just big me.”

Oct. 6, 2023 Drake and J. Cole released collaboration “ First Person Shooter ,” in which J. Cole raps that himself, Drake and Lamar are the “big three” of rap.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here .

Rapper Kendrick Lamar performs onstage at Hard Rock Stadium on July 24, 2022.

What To Watch For

Whether Lamar continues the beef. The rapper announced Wednesday that he would host a show called "Ken & Friends – The Pop Out" in Los Angeles on June 19, and fans have speculated it could serve as an announcement of new music.

Surprising Fact

Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” is no longer available to stream after Tupac Shakur’s estate threatened legal action for the AI-generated use of his voice. Drake posted the song to his X and Instagram accounts on April 19, but deleted them a week later.

Key Background

Drake and Lamar’s beef spans more than the past decade. The two once had a seemingly friendly relationship, collaborating multiple times between 2011 and 2012. But in 2013, their relationship appeared to change after Lamar featured on Big Sean’s song, “ Control ,” in which he called out Drake and many other rappers, including Pusha T, Mac Miller and A$AP Rocky. “I got love for you all, but I'm tryna murder you,” Lamar rapped, adding he’s “tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you.” Fans have since theorized that the two have taken subtle shots at each other in their raps throughout the years. Some interpreted Lamar’s shots at artists who use ghostwriters in his 2015 song “ King Kunta ” could be a dig at Drake. Fans and observers of Lamar and Drake’s beef have interpreted the feud to be over who could be considered the greatest rapper of today—though a Rolling Stone analysis of their feud noted the two have different strengths and different claims to the title of “greatest” rapper. Lamar has long been known for his critically acclaimed work, including 17 Grammy Award wins and a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album, “DAMN.” Drake, meanwhile, is commercially dominant: He was the most-streamed artist of the 2010s on Spotify, and he has the most certified digital singles of any artist, according to the Recording Industry Association of America . "Euphoria" by Lamar debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 7.

Drake, Lamar and other artists involved in the feud have found recent success on the charts, possibly thanks to the publicity offered by the feud. “Like That” has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 since release—it topped the chart for three consecutive weeks and has remained on the chart for six weeks today. “7 Minute Drill” debuted at No. 6 on the Hot 100 after its release, while “Push Ups” debuted at No. 19 (the fifth-highest non-Swift song). Lamar’s “ Euphoria ” was the No. 1 trending video on YouTube one day after release with 8 million views and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 11. Drake rose from No. 18 to No. 3 the Billboard Artist 100 , which measures the most popular artists in a given week based on sales, streaming and radio airplay numbers.

Further Reading

Kendrick Lamar Is Winning His Rap Battle With Drake—At Least On The Charts (Forbes)

Shooting Outside Drake's Toronto House Leaves Man Seriously Injured (Forbes)

Kendrick Lamar Slams ‘Scam Artist’ Drake In New Diss Track ‘Euphoria’—Latest Chapter In Their Beef (Forbes)

Everyone Involved In The Drake And Kendrick Lamar Beef—As Kanye West Says He’s Energized For The ‘Elimination Of Drake’ (Forbes)

Drake And Rick Ross Beef: What To Know About The Diss Tracks, Nose Job Allegations And ‘BBL Drizzy’ (Forbes)

Drake’s Security Guards Report ‘Altercation’ In Third Incident At His Toronto Home This Week (Forbes)

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‘the voice’ coaches through the years from blake shelton to john legend, breaking news.

Kendrick Lamar Coming To L.A. For ‘Ken & Friends’ Show At The Forum

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Kendrick Lamar will be headlining a Juneteenth performance at The Forum in Inglewood.

Lamar is the main attraction at “The Pop Out — Ken & Friends” at the Forum in a show produced with his label/creative agency, pgLang and Free Lunch. The rest of the lineup has not been announced.

The show is Lamar’s first live set in Southern California since his feud with Drake erupted earlier this year in a flurry of diss-tracks.

Tickets for the show are  in presales , with the general sale starting Friday.

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Kendrick lamar is headlining 5 festivals in 2023. get tickets today.

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In 2018, Kendrick Lamar became the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for his universally beloved album “DAMN.”

This year, the “United In Grief” rapper is headlining at five major music festivals all over North America from June through October.

We’re impressed — we don’t see any of his fellow Pulitzer winners headlining alongside Foo Fighters this year.

And you won’t want to miss a Kendrick festival appearance.

Seeing Kendrick live was thrilling! I hadn’t seen him since his ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ tour” ” said NY Post writer PJ McCormick who saw Lamar live at New York City’s Governors Ball. “He’s really stepped up his game. The audience was hanging on every word.”

“His ‘King Kunta,’was the highlight or the surprise appearance from his cousin, Baby Keem, on their joint single “Family Ties.” he added.

Need to know where Kendrick is performing this summer?

How about which songs he plays?

Who’s he headlining with?

Keep reading. We’ve got everything you need to know and more about Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 festival schedule.

Kendrick Lamar 2023 festival schedule

A complete calendar including all Kendrick Lamar festival dates, venues, cities and fellow headliners can be found below.

Kendrick Lamar set list

What has Kendrick been playing at shows?

Here’s a closer look based on our findings from Set List FM .

01.) “N95” 02.) “ELEMENT.” 03.) “A.D.H.D” 04.) “King Kunta” 05.) “Worldwide Steppers” 06.) “Nosetalgia” (Pusha T cover) 07.) “Backseat Freestyle”

08.) “m.A.A.d city”

09.) “Swimming Pools (Drank)” 10.) “LOYALTY.” 11.) “Purple Hearts” 12.) “DNA.” 13.) “Rich Spirit” 14.) “HUMBLE.” 15.) “Sidewalks” (The Weeknd cover) 16.) “Count Me Out” 17.) “Money Trees” 18.) “B—-, Don’t Kill My Vibe” 19.) “Die Hard” 20.) “LOVE.” 21.) “family ties” (Baby Keem cover) (with Baby Keem) 22.) “Alright” 23.) “Savior”

Hip-Hop stars on tour in 2023

There are so many iconic hip-hop heroes on tour this summer, we can barely contain our excitement.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live these next few months.

•  Drake with 21 Savage

•  Wu-Tang Clan with Nas

•  Snoop Dogg with Wiz Khalifa, Too $hort, Warren G and more

•  50 Cent with Busta Rhymes and Jeremih

•  LL Cool J with Big Boi, Salt-N-Pepa, The Roots and more

Who else is out and about? Check out our list of the 52 biggest concert tours in 2023 here to find out.

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TXT Declare Their Allegiance in the Drake and Kendrick Lamar Hip-Hop Feud

The popular K-pop group TXT has voiced their opinion in the ongoing rap battle between two hip-hop giants.

The clash commenced in fall of 2023, as Canadian artist Drake put out “First Person Shooter” with J. Cole , sparking controversy when it became apparent Kendrick Lamar had declined a feature on the track. This move positioned Drake and J. Cole as two dominant figures in rap’s “Big Three.”

Love when they argue the hardest MC Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me? We the big three like we started a league, but right now, I feel like Muhammad Ali Huh, yeah, yeah, huh-huh, yeah, Muhammad Ali — J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”

Kendrick Lamar disputed this claim with his answer track “Like That,” featuring Future and Metro Boomin , where he explicitly targeted Drake and J. Cole’s prior remarks.

… — “Like That”

Amidst their TOMORROW X TOGETHER Announce 2024 U.S. Tour, TXT was questioned by MOA @sofieuuhh regarding their stance: “Team Kendrick or Team Drake?” Leader Soobin responded with a diplomatic “Both?” 

ENHYPEN Unexpectedly Pick A Side In The Drake Vs. Kendrick Lamar Rap Beef