Kendrick Lamar is everywhere these days, and deservedly so. Last night Lamar and his band were backed by the National Symphony Orchestra on To Pimp a Butterfly and other songs, and hip-hop strutted a victory lap in Washington, D.C.  Watch below as the ensemble performs These Walls.  After starting out slow and sans-sync, everything comes together and magic ensues.  Pay particular attention from 2:40 on, but especially from 3:30 to 3:51 when Kendrick shows why he is king.  Haven’t seen a conductor work it like that in a while, if ever. Who else but Lamar (OK, Nas) can perform with an orchestra and bring it to such stirring heights, con brio and expleto?  Afterwards watch fan video of the chant-along uplifter, Alright, along with King Kunta.  We would have given most everything to have been there (see the setlist at bottom).  At the Kennedy Center, Lamar exclaimed: “At the end of the day, we ain’t nothing but God’s children.” Amen and bravo!!

Setlist:

Orchestral Overture
For Free?
Wesley’s Theory
Institutionalized
Backseat Freestyle
Swimming Pools (Drank)
These Walls
For Sale?
Hood Politics
Complexion (A Zulu Love)
m.A.A.d city (Part I)
u
King Kunta
i
How Much a Dollar Cost
The Blacker the Berry
Mortal Man

Encore:
Alright