Kendrick Lamar Govenor's Ball show at Roseland Ballroom

For the Hot 97 Metro PCS 5 Boro Takeover Tour, Kendrick Lamar was the first stop at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan.  Originally it was just suppose to be a 9 o’clock show, but due to selling out very quickly, he added a second show at 6 o’clock that same day, meaning he would be performing back-to-back concerts.  I think it is great that he was willing to perform two shows so as many fans as possible could see him, even though I’m sure it was exhausting.

After the preshow Hot 97 DJ set, Kendrick Lamar runs on the stage wearing a white T, a blue NY hat by 40 oz. NYC, and black pants. With no opening act, he immediately starts performing “Westside, Right On Time.” His DJ was Ali, the engineer that he often shots out of tracks. He then goes into the beginning of his set that features many songs from his previous mix tapes and songs he is featured on, such “Hol’ Up” from Section. 80 and his verse from A$AP Rocky’s “Fuckin’ Problems.” Soon after he brought out Ab-Soul to the stage so they could perform Ab-Soul’s song “Terrorist Threat.” 

During breaks between songs, Kendrick interacted with the audience, which would segue into an introduction to a song.  Kendrick goes into a monologue about how people wonder why he is so popular on the east coast when he is from the west coast.  He mentions that this song connected him to the east coast.  Audience members shouted out their guesses, including “Swimming Pools” and “Tammy’s Song” but those who guessed “ADHD.”  After performing “ADHD” with a lot of participation with the audience by having them sing the chorus a capella. He had other anecdotes in between songs, like how staying in the studio kept him off the streets, or how even though he and his friends were broke, they always had money for beat tapes before going into performing “Backstreet Freestyle.”  He also talked with the audience, teasing some people about being shy or uncomfortable and saying just to vibe with the music.

The concert also featured appearances by members of Black Hippy, including Schoolboy Q with his hit song “Hands on the Wheel.”  He made fun of the popularity of the song, saying “F**k that song. I’m tired of playing that mother**ker. Can’t wait for all of you to hear my new album.” The crowd responded excitedly, ready to hear new music from him too.

Overall the show was not just for the recent fans of Kendrick Lamar who were just introduced to him through “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”  He often shouted out the fans that have been with him since day ones, playing songs from his previous mix tapes “(O)verly (D)edicated” and Section. 80 like “P & P,” “Cut You Off (To Grow Closer),” and “Chapter 6.”  Even though he frequently targeted out fans from day one and mentioned his first body of work “Kendrick Lamar EP” he did not perform any songs from that mix tape. After coming back to do an encore by performing his song “Cartoons & Cereal” with Black Hippy, Kendrick showed that all the hype was well worth it.  Yet he remained humble, stating that his fame still surprises him, but he hasn’t changed, and that he had mainstream come to him.

Bottom Line: Kendrick Lamar’s passion for his artistry and work translates spectacularly on stage.

Setlist:
Westside, Right On Time
Hol’ Up
P&P
Fuckin’ Problems
Terrorist Threats (Feat. Ab-Soul)
A.D.H.D.
Tammy’s Song (Her Evils)
Look Out For Detox
Money Trees (Feat. Jay Rock)
Backseat Freestyle
Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe
Poetic Justice
Hands On The Wheel (Feat. ScHoolboy Q)
m.A.A.d city
Chapter Six
The Recipe
Cut You Off (To Grow Closer)
Blow My High (Members Only)
Swimming Pools (Drank)
I Am
-Encore-
Cartoon And Cereal (Feat. Black Hippy)