On music’s biggest night (Feb. 15), Kendrick Lamar electrified the crowd and viewers at home with his pivotal performance of “The Blacker The Berry” and “Alright”.
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A racially-charged song, “The Blacker the Berry” mentions the February 2012 fatal shooting of 17-year-old black teen Trayvon Martin in one of the final lyrics. The introspective track lead into a set transition from Lamar and his crew behind bars into rapping before a stage bonfire surrounded by painted dancers. Later on during Lamar’s performance, he freestyled, “February 26th, I lost my life too / 2012 set us back 400 years”. Before Kendrick Lamar took over the 2016 Grammys stage with five wins and an explosive performance on Grammy night, the TDE rapper actually treated six students from his alma matter, Centennial High School, to an experience of a lifetime.
The show-stopping performance ended with a fade-out, leaving Lamar outlined against a map of Africa emblazoned with one word: “Compton” (Lamar’s hometown).
The Daily Show host Trevor Noah sent out a tweet after the performance praising Lamar and blasting Kanye West. Mr. Lamar’s achievements further Compton’s legacy of ingenuity and excellence.
The MC won Best Rap Album at the Los Angeles ceremony for his powerful, political “To Pimp a Butterfly”, using his speech to thank his family, partner, label and hip-hop itself, naming Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle” and Nas’ “Illmatic” as works that had paved the way for him.
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Lamar was nominated for the most Grammys of any artist in 2016 with 11 total nominations.
