Kendrick Lamar opened the Grammys with a powerful message about racism in America, with help from U2 and comedian Dave Chappelle.
Backed by an image of the American flag and surrounded by marchers in ski masks and fatigues, Compton superstar Kendrick Lamar opened the Grammys with a bang, rapping 'XXX' from his latest album DAMN.
Midway through, U2’s Bono and the Edge walked on-stage to provide the refrain chorus shared by “XXX” and by the Songs of Experience track 'American Soul'. Lamar then sang portion of his single 'DNA', with an interlude by Dave Chappelle.
In the second part of his performance, Lamar blazed through his feature in Rich the Kid's 'New Freezer', as well as delivering his verse from Jay Rock’s 'King’s Dead', as the dancers around him, clothed in red, fell to the ground one by one as gunshots sounded.
Kendrick Lamar won four Grammys at the Awards last night, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Rihanna).
Watch Kendrick Lamar and U2 perform below:
Kendrick Lamar's full performance at the 2018 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/VG5K88hPQ0
— DUCKWORTH TDE (@DuckworthTDE) January 29, 2018
'American Soul' is taken from the band's upcoming album, Songs of Experience.
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Hip-hop superstar delivers second consecutive masterpiece.
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King Kendrick is back.
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With Rihanna, Metallica, and Selena Gomez
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The eight-track collection will be available to purchase in these physical formats from March 31
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Read More At just 28 years of age, Compton-born rapper Kendrick Lamar has been hailed as one of the most important cultural figures of the modern era. But where did he come from? Who inspired him musically? And what is the creative background to the Hot Press Album of the Year 2015, To Pimp A Butterfly? As we prepare to welcome him to Ireland for Longitude this summer, Paul Nolan explains the global importance of this extraordinary phenomenon...
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An extremely impressive blast through To Pimp A Butterfly tracks.
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The phone-punning, Trayvon Martin-referencing 'The Blacker The Berry'.
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Kendrick's also fresh from rapping with Prince live... and we've got that video too.
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Songs by Eminem, Jay-Z and 50 cent were among those Lamar chose to cover.
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