The latest episode of “Power”, aired 29^th of July 2018, had a surprise guest appearing opposite 50 Cent: Kendrick Lamar. While this appearance came as a shock to many fans, the idea has actually been in the pipeline for years. In an interview with Variety about the part the rapper stated “Me, 50 and Top always communicate like, man, we got to do something one day and make something right. It’s been a process for like, I want to say four years.”

In the show, Lamar plays a crackhead called Laces. This role was crafted specifically for him by the showrunner, Courtney A. Kemp. Variety reports that in a phone call between them, Lamar said “I don’t want to be something people will predict or know. I want to be something out of the ordinary, but something I connect to at the same time.” He says he based his performance on people he would see in Compton where he grew up. He explained that he grew “this type of love for them someway. In a weird way. You don’t want to see nothing happen to them, but you know he’s dangerous.” This complexity clearly shows in his portrayal.

All this comes ahead of Lamar headlining Electric Picnic in a little less than a month where he is sure to be highlight.

Watch one of his scenes below: