From Black Hippy to the inaugural performance of “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar made history at the Kia Forum for the Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert.
The Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef has been heavy on our minds this year. Perhaps, it’s largely because everyone is being forced to pick a side. Impassioned fans are glued to Instagram and YouTube comments where they attempt to discredit the other artist for one reason or another. Mind you, this battle was only about numbers because one of the participants happened to be the most streamed artist in the world. At its core, it boiled down to the music.
We’re at an interesting crossroads in the music industry where streaming numbers don’t translate to ticket sales. Several reports emerged recently about some of the top streaming artists struggling to sell tour tickets, raising concerns surrounding the authenticity of streaming numbers. Earlier this week, an individual appeared on DJ Akademiks’ stream where he alleged that Anthony Saleh, Kendrick Lamar’s manager, hired him to inflate the number of views on “Not Like Us,” the rapper’s chart-topping song that disses Drake, using bots. Joe Budden stated that he was aware (and doesn’t care) of the alleged bot scandal. Meanwhile, several fans attempted to debunk the claim. But, with Kendrick Lamar’s The Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert, it became apparent that the hype was far from fabricated.
The incredible event hosted by pgLang and Free Lunch unified the West Coast. Kendrick reunited Black Hippy on stage for the first time in years and shared the stage with dozens of L.A. rappers. While the majority of viewers didn’t get the opportunity to witness history made inside of the Kia Forum in person, we all tuned in from the comfort of our homes to find out exactly what Kendrick Lamar and co. had up their sleeves. So, without further ado, we’re diving into our five favorite moments from last night’s event.
5. Tommy The Clown
The fact that Kendrick had Tommy the Clown at his Juneteenth show. For the culture 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HQYtkidiPk
— istillloveher.de (@istillloveher_) June 20, 2024
If the point of Kendrick Lamar’s The Pop Out was to honor the legacy of the West Coast, it wouldn’t have been complete without a staple in the city: Tommy The Clown. DJ Hed introduced the pioneer of clowning to the stage where Tommy brought along his dance crew for an electrifying performance.
The Los Angeles-based dancer played a key role in the evolution of hip-hop dance. More importantly, he established a dance crew titled Hip Hop Clowns which offered an outlet for kids in the city. “No gangs, No drugs, Do well in school (grades, attendance, and behavior), and be a role model by living a positive lifestyle at all times” are the rules that Tommy established. Decades later, his legacy as a community leader became as important as his impact on dance. During his performance last night, he empowered the youth and allowed them on one of the biggest stages to get a glimpse of where hard work can lead. It was a perfect performance that underlined the significance of the event; yes, it was a victory lap for Kendrick Lamar but it was also a showcase of the raw talent in Los Angeles.
Source hotnewhiphop.com
