“Tonight is going down in history,” was heard among the crowds exiting the Kia Forum on Juneteenth. Kendrick Lamar reaffirmed his legacy as one of the “greatest of all times” in hip-hop with a concert that brought together more than two dozen L.A. artists for a live show at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. It also streamed worldwide on Amazon Music.
For many attendees, “The Pop Out Fan” represented much more than good music and fun times with friends. Ryan, a fan and attendee, remarked, “It took all that time, all of that pain and sacrifice, to end up in this place where we can be right here… For me, it’s everything.” He added, “This is the lap—the victory lap,” before heading inside the concert.
In just under four hours, Kendrick Lamar unified the city of Los Angeles through music. Over two dozen L.A. artists joined Kendrick on stage to celebrate Juneteenth and unity for West Coast music. Among the artists were Dr. Dre, Tyler The Creator, Steve Lacy, Dom Kennedy, Ty Dolla $ign, YG, Roddy Ricch, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Westside Boogie, OHGEESY, Kalan, FrFr, and more.
A Night of Unity and Cultural Renaissance
Special guests included dancer and krumping pioneer Tommy The Clown and fellow dancers, some of whom came up on stage from the audience at Kendrick’s request to have “all sections” represented. Songs Kendrick performed included “euphoria,” “Like That,” “6:16 in LA,” and “Not Like Us.”
“This is exactly how our fallen soldiers would want to see us,” Kendrick said, bringing prominent Los Angeles gangs onto one stage in a remarkable show of West Coast unity and solidarity. He encouraged his fellow artists to chant “One West” as they smiled for a group photo that quickly became a symbol of unity and West Coast greatness.
Fans like Cameron, from the Bay Area, said spending Juneteenth with Kendrick Lamar “meant the world” to him. He went on to say that he got tickets as soon as the show was announced. Kendrick also shined the light on emerging L.A. talent, including Jason Martin, 310babii, and Zoe Osama.
Honoring Nipsey Hussle and Ending Rap Beefs
Midway through the show, the arena lit up with lighters and phone cameras in honor of the late Nipsey Hussle. Before his passing in 2019, Nipsey’s music both energized and created a sense of community in Los Angeles.
Kendrick’s hit record “Not Like Us,” which dropped during the climax of his “rap beef” with Drake, was performed five times. The viral song set the scene for a powerful union among the legendary artists on stage. DJs for the night included DJ Hed and Mustard, known for producing “Not Like Us.” Even more special—the evening’s concert was the first time Kendrick performed the song live.
“The Pop Out” wasn’t just a showcase of L.A.’s talent and music—it was a cultural renaissance. In a city with a history of pain and suffering, “The Pop Out” demonstrated that community is everything. Toward the end of the show, Kendrick seemingly ended the “rap beef” from earlier this year, emphasizing that the evening’s show meant much more than a song, a winner, or a fleeting triumph.
“The Pop Out” was a night where everyone could band together on one stage, if only for one night—in a stunning display of unity, pride, and community. It is destined to be remembered in history.
