{"id":296312,"date":"2025-07-27T16:34:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T16:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/296312\/"},"modified":"2025-07-27T16:34:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T16:34:11","slug":"live-report-kendrick-lamar-sza-tottenham-hotspur-stadium-london-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/296312\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Report: Kendrick Lamar, SZA – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London | Live"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kendrick Lamar<\/strong> and SZA<\/strong> have always worked well together \u2013 artists at the top of their respective fields, the rap wordsmith and R&B queen have recorded together, and support one another in interviews. The Grand National tour<\/a><\/strong>, then, feels natural \u2013 each granted co-headline status, it\u2019s a run that has delighted fans, and lit up social media.<\/p>\n

Making our way across London, Clash is left to muse on the curious turns in Kendrick Lamar\u2019s career. As it happens, the 33 1\/3 <\/strong>series has hit audiobook, so \u2013 firing up Spotify<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 we soak up Sequioa Maner\u2019s excellent tome on \u2018To Pimp A Butterfly\u2019, a work of daring complexity and societal thrust that arguably cemented Kendrick Lamar\u2019s position as the pre-eminent lyricist of his generation. Equally, his beef with Drake plumbed the depths, producing an electrifying international hit that might just contain some of his most near-the-knuckle rhymes.<\/p>\n

If that contradiction feels hard to maintain, tonight shows all the different sides of Kendrick\u2019s persona. The LA rapper opens from a GNX car, the crowd rev\u2019d up before he even ventures on to the stage. Placing \u2018King Kunta\u2019 early on is the first of a number of masterstrokes, the pacing of this dual-headline extravaganza proving to be breathless.<\/p>\n

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SZA<\/strong> then takes charge. The Maplewood singer is on supreme form, the diaristic appeal of her lyrics clearing etching their way into the hearts of just about everyone present.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not simply fans service, however. SZA in particular likes to challenge her audience \u2013 how else do you explain the R&B chanteuse riding an animatronic ant during one of her soulful reveries?<\/p>\n

In a summer dominated by huge tours, the stadium feels busy, but the energy exceeds the crowd. It\u2019s a set driven forwards by the passion of both artists \u2013 SZA can create entire worlds with her mellifluous voice, and the over-arching narrative pulls you along in its wake. Kendrick is a focussed, intentional performer \u2013 he\u2019s not a showman, but equally you struggle to take your eyes off him, the punchy set unfolding with alacrity.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, this is a performance framed by big moments. Kendrick\u2019s catalogue shines \u2013 \u2018Swimming Pools (drank)\u2019, \u2018HUMBLE\u2019, \u2018Money Trees\u2019 and beyond all feel like components of a masterclass \u2013 while SZA is able to command songwriting is such potency as \u2018Kill Bill\u2019, \u2018Scorcese Baby Daddy\u2019, and \u2018Broken Clocks\u2019. Put simply, these are artists at the top of their craft.<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly the biggest moment was \u2013 perhaps \u2013 also the most predictable. \u2018Not Like Us\u2019 bulldozed Drake and scorched charts in just about every country on the planet, and it\u2019s instantly recognisable DJ Mustard beat lifted every single person in the stadium off their seat. A matter of weeks before, Drake headlined all three nights of Wireless \u2013 complete with illustrious guests \u2013 but the visceral thrill of \u2018Not Like Us\u2019 feels like it exists above and beyond that achievement, with thousands upon thousands of people shrilling \u201cA Minorrrrrr\u201d in North London.<\/p>\n

The duo close with \u2018Luther\u2019 and \u2018Gloria\u2019, ending a concert that leans on their strengths. While the dual-headline format is hard to manage \u2013 and the tonal shifts between their music was, at points, whiplash-inducing \u2013 Kendrick Lamar and SZA reinforced their respective positions as modern greats.<\/p>\n

\u2014<\/p>\n

Words: Robin Murray<\/strong><\/p>\n

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