The last 48 hours have been a bit intriguing for Kendrick Lamar. The Compton-raised rapper was a key rapper/writer on Dr. Dre’s new album Compton, and he made headlines after some speculated that he dissed Drake on the songs “Darkside/Gone” and “Deep Water.”
With his scheduled performance at the Outside Lands Festival in the Bay Area, all eyes and ears were on Kendrick to see if he would reveal a deeper perspective into his alleged diss lyrics against Drake. But…he didn’t. Instead, he proved he’s above the beef and delivered a stunning performance.
Kendrick opened the set with his survivalist take on inner city life, “Money Trees,” before performing past hits “Backstreet Freestyle,” and “Swimming Pools.” The chaotic “M.A.A.D.City” gave festival goers a real sense of the desperation in Compton. For Kendrick, it represents home, which is a place that showed glimpses of heaven and hell. He dedicated “Sing About Me” to dead friends and family who lost their lives.
Kendrick also took time to perform several cuts form his lasted album, To Pimp A Butterfly, which included “i” and “King Kunta.”
Kendrick closed his set by recognizing Dr. Dre for his new album and the biopic Straight Outta Compton. It was the perfect lead for his reassuring hit “Alright.”
Kendrick never responded directly to the alleged diss on Drake, but it didn’t take much for him to prove why most of his rap peers are far behind him when it comes to emceeing.
