Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Kendrick Lamar’s recent concert in Los Angeles took an unexpected turn as the rapper repeatedly performed his diss track aimed at Drake. The event, titled “Ken & Friends – the Pop Out,” was held at the Kia Forum in Inglewood and streamed live on Amazon. While the concert was meant to celebrate unity among West Coast artists, Lamar’s focus on his feud with Drake stole the spotlight.
Lamar kicked off his set with “Euphoria,” one of several diss tracks targeting Drake. The night was meant to showcase the talent of over two dozen artists from Los Angeles, but Lamar’s repeated performances of “Not Like Us” became the main attraction. “This is unity, y’all just don’t know man,” Lamar said, capturing a group photo with more than 25 artists on stage, all chanting “One West.”
The concert featured performances by notable artists like Tyler, the Creator, YG, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, Dom Kennedy, and Steve Lacy. DJ Mustard curated a special set, which included a tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle. Lamar also reunited with his Black Hippy group members Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock. Dr. Dre made a surprise appearance, performing “Still D.R.E.” and “California Love” before introducing Lamar’s grand finale.
Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us” was a highlight, as he rapped the track multiple times. “Y’all ain’t gonna let anyone disrespect the West Coast, huh?” he asked the crowd, emphasizing the song’s standout lyric, “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” This line is a double entendre, referencing allegations that Drake has a preference for underage girls.
The crowd’s anticipation for Lamar’s diss track grew throughout the night, with chants of “OV-hoe” echoing at various points. Lamar even remixed a lyric from “Euphoria,” adding a new jab at Drake: “Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect.” He also performed his verse from Future and Metro Boomin’s single “Like That,” which sparked the current rap beef.
The concert’s energy remained high as Lamar performed hits like “M.A.A.d City,” “Be Humble,” “DNA,” “Element.,” “Money Trees,” “Swimming Pools,” “King Kunta,” and “King’s Dead.” The night began with opening acts from 15 local L.A. artists, including Ray Vaughn, Cuzzos, Westside Boogie, Zoe Osama, RJMRLA, OhGeesy, and Jason Martin.
“Let them see this,” Lamar said, bringing performers from various L.A. neighborhoods and affiliations on stage for a final group photo. “We put this together with peace… I promise this won’t be the last of us.”
The concert, produced by Amazon and streamed on Prime and Twitch, was a celebration of Los Angeles rap and unity, but it also highlighted Lamar’s ongoing feud with Drake. Lamar performed “Not Like Us” six times, with one performance being just the instrumental. The stage became increasingly crowded as the song repeated, with appearances from YG, Steve Lacy, Black Hippy, Big Boy, G Perico, Mustard, L.A. Clipper Russell Westbrook, Chicago Bull Demar Derozan, and krumper Tommy the Clown.
Lamar insisted that the moment was about more than just rap beef, shouting out Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant. He emphasized that everyone on stage had lost someone to violence and that they were there to represent a unified L.A. The “Not Like Us” instrumental played once more as the concert concluded.
The Weeknd attended the concert as a guest, enjoying the drama. The event also featured performances by Tyler the Creator, Roddy Ricch, and YG. While the concert was a celebration of Los Angeles rap, it was clear that Lamar’s feud with Drake was a central theme.
The relationship between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been tumultuous since their first collaboration in 2011. Initially, they worked together on each other’s records, but over time, their friendly competition turned into a full-blown feud. Lamar’s recent diss tracks and performances have reignited the rivalry, with both artists taking shots at each other in their music and public appearances.
As the night ended, it was evident that Lamar’s repeated performances of “Not Like Us” had left a lasting impression. The concert was a testament to the power of music to bring people together, even amid ongoing feuds. Lamar’s message of unity and respect for West Coast legends resonated with the audience, making the event a memorable celebration of Los Angeles rap culture.