Kendrick Lamar Performs “XXX.,” “DNA.” and More at 2018 Grammy Awards
Kendrick Lamar has already won big at the 2018 Grammys tonight (Jan. 28) in New York City—he has four awards wins— and he's kicking the show off with a performance with U2 and comedian Dave Chappelle. The explosive collaboration played out perfectly with a seamless mix between rock and rap onstage
The performance starts with a shot of U2 performing behind masked soldiers, as screens showing the American flag loom over them. The lights turn on, and Kendrick is standing onstage, launching directly into his U2 collaboration "XXX." Then the words “This Is a Satire by Kendrick Lamar” appear on a screen as Bono walks to the front of the crowd while singing, leading Kendrick to tear through one of his verses from "DNA."
The soldiers begin dancing around Kendrick, and a gunshot leads to the lights turning off. Then Dave Chappelle takes the stage for a short interlude. Kendrick returns and runs through a medley of his verse on Rich The Kid's "New Freezer" and Jay Rock's "King's Dead," with another Chappelle appearance in between.
Details of Kendrick's Grammy opening were released earlier this week, with it originally being unclear what songs U2 and Kendrick would bring to the stage, and what part Dave Chappelle would play in the show.
If you weren't lucky enough to get into the Grammys this year, you can catch Kendrick on the road this year. Cornrow Kenny and the rest of Top Dawg Entertainment are going all over the country for their Championship Tour, starting in May.
Kendrick is already going home with four of his seven nominations tonight, and those Grammys will have some company. He came away with three NAACP Image Awards earlier this month; DAMN. earned him Outstanding Album honors, the Rihanna-assisted "Loyalty" won an Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration award,then closed his night out with the Outstanding Song Contemporary honor for the single "Humble."
Watch Kendrick's Grammy performance below.
See Rappers on the 2018 Grammy Awards Red Carpet