Kendrick Lamar solidified his triumph in his rap feud with Drake during a concert in Los Angeles on Wednesday, performing his diss track five times amid a gathering of rap legends. The Juneteenth concert was not merely a personal victory but also hailed as an iconic moment in hip-hop history and a significant effort to unite the West Coast rap community.
The sold-out show, “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends,” was streamed live on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch. It marked Lamar’s first performance since the diss tracks exchange with Drake earlier this year. Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” dominated the Billboard Hot 100 charts in May, outshining Drake’s “The Heart Part 6.”
The Performance Highlights
Fans eagerly awaited Lamar’s return to the stage, and he did not disappoint. Opening with “Euphoria,” Lamar performed four of his five diss tracks aimed at Drake, including “6:16” and “Like That.” He concluded the show with “Not Like Us,” featuring an introduction by West Coast hip-hop legend Dr. Dre, who joined Lamar on stage.
The climax of the evening saw Lamar performing “Not Like Us” four additional times, accompanied by various West Coast rappers, athletes, dancers, and members from multiple Los Angeles gangs. The concert ended with a powerful group photo, symbolizing unity and support within the hip-hop community.
Celebrating West Coast Unity
Lamar challenged these claims by highlighting emerging West Coast rappers and performing alongside major Californian hip-hop stars like Tyler The Creator, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, and Dr. Dre. The audience included celebrities such as LeBron James, adding to the event’s grandeur.
Lamar’s goal extended beyond the feud with Drake. He aimed to unite the West Coast rap scene, bringing together rival gang members on stage. “For all of us to be on this stage together, unity, from East side mother-f*ing LA, Crips, Bloods, Pirus, this sh is special, man,” Lamar stated during one of the “Not Like Us” encores. He emphasized that the concert’s purpose was to foster unity within the community.
Honoring Legacy and Lives Lost
Lamar also paid tribute to late rapper Nipsey Hussle, former NBA star Kobe Bryant, and Californians who have lost their lives to violence. This heartfelt acknowledgment added a poignant layer to the concert, reinforcing the event’s broader message of community and remembrance.
