Los Angeles Past, Present, and Future Represented At Kendrick Lamar Event

As Juneteenth was celebrated in Los Angeles, there was one event that stood out: Kendrick Lamar’s concert at the Kia Forum. This special event, The Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert, was live-streamed on Prime Video and Amazon Music’s Twitch Channel, thanks to pgLang (Kendrick and Dave Free’s media company) and Free Lunch, allowing fans worldwide to join in.

A Night to Remember

Fans flocked to the venue in Inglewood, California, eagerly anticipating Kendrick Lamar’s performance of his viral hit “Not Like Us,” which marked a pivotal moment in the Drake vs. Kendrick rivalry. When the song was finally performed near the end of the show, the entire West Coast was electrified, chanting, “Ayy, Mustard on the beat ho!”

DJ Mustard’s Star-Studded Lineup

DJ Mustard, who produced “Not Like Us,” fittingly opened the show, surprising the audience with a roster of all-star artists. The lineup included rookie 310Babii with his summer hit “Soak City,” followed by LA favorites BLXST, Ty Dolla $ign, Dom Kennedy, Steve Lacy, Tyler The Creator, Roddy Ricch, and YG.

Kendrick’s Grand Entrance

With the crowd buzzing from YG’s “BPT,” Kendrick Lamar took the stage. The atmosphere was electric as fans of all ages and backgrounds came together to witness history. Kendrick’s entry was dramatic; he emerged from beneath the stage, squatting, as the audience cheered.

Powerful Performances and Unforgettable Moments

Kendrick kicked off with “Euphoria,” responding to Drake’s “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” The die-hard fans caught a significant lyric change: “Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect,” referencing Tupac Shakur’s ring that Drake purchased at an auction and mentioned in Travis Scott’s “Meltdown.”

Dressed in a red hoodie, cap, jeans, black glasses, and multiple chains, Kendrick’s outfit paid homage to Tupac’s iconic look at the 1994 Source Awards. Throughout the night, Kendrick ran through his hits from *To Pimp A Butterfly* and *DAMN.*, including “DNA.,” “Alright,” and “ELEMENT.,” with fans passionately echoing his lyrics.

The Black Hippy Reunion

Kendrick then brought out his TDE family. Jay Rock opened with their collaboration “Money Trees” and his hit “WIN.” Ab-Soul joined for “6:16 In L.A.,” followed by ScHoolboy Q with “Collard Greens” and “THat Part.” The Black Hippy crew danced to “King Kunta” before Kendrick continued with “m.A.A.d city,” “HUMBLE.,” and his verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.”

A Legendary Appearance by Dr. Dre

KENDRICK LAMAR (WITH DR DRE INTRO)

NOT LIKE US !!!

LIVE AT THE POP OUT CONCERT pic.twitter.com/zgihgmskgg

— Travis Scott Vault (@travis_vault) June 20, 2024

Just when it seemed the night couldn’t get any more spectacular, Dr. Dre joined Kendrick on stage. As the piano intro for “Still D.R.E.” played, the crowd erupted. Dr. Dre praised Kendrick, calling him one of the greatest, and then they performed Tupac’s “California Love.” Before exiting, Dr. Dre whispered, “Psst, I see dead people,” leading into “Not Like Us” again.

A Historic Night

Kendrick performed “Not Like Us” seven times, much to the delight of the audience. The concert concluded with Mustard returning to the stage for another rendition of the hit song, bringing out all the artists present. Kendrick emphasized peace and love, acknowledging the losses the community has faced, including Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant.

A Unifying Finale

Kendrick Lamar’s The Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert was a historic event, uniting the city of Los Angeles and celebrating its rich musical heritage. From honoring the OGs to showcasing new talent, Kendrick highlighted the city’s resilience and spirit in an unforgettable way.