Kendrick Lamar returned to Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena for the release of his latest album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’.

From September 14 to 17, Lamar finished his world tour by doing 4 shows in his hometown of Los Angeles. 

The long awaited album perhaps left something to be desired in terms of club bangers and mainstream earworms, but he provided a more mature, introspective outlook in the selection.

Lamar intuitively reflects on the actions that eventually led to the cheating on his long time partner, an issue that has since been resolved, but was a turning point for maturity in his life. 

The show was opened by 24-year-old Los Angeles native, Tanna Leone; and Lamar’s prodigé, Baby Keem. The arena was only half full, but the atmosphere certainly rose when Baby Keem played his Billboard Top 100 hit: Orange Soda.

Whilst the audience enjoyed Leone and Keem’s performances under the electric spotlight, it was when Lamar stepped onto the stage that really got the crowd going. 

He took to his moment in an all black ensemble and a white blazer, with “COMPTON” embezzled in sequins on the back—and a single Micheal Jackson-esque, lustrous glove.

Lamar began the show by playing the opening to ‘United in Grief’, just him and a piano, setting the artistic tone for this performance.

The crowd then started bouncing when he performed the cult classic, ‘Backseat Freestyle’, with the audience knowing the song word for word. 

However, it was Lamar’s performance of his biggest hit ‘Humble’ that was his boldest statement. The subtle lighting, choreographed dances, and live band, told us that this performance would be on his terms.

Lamar is a big political figure, especially in the Black Lives Matter movement with his hit track ‘Alright’ becoming an anthem for said movement, but the demographic of the concert was quite shocking. 

The protest songs of a black man from Compton, had captured the hearts of millions of white kids: a true unification of culture.

The two and a half hour show left nothing to fault, with Lamar filling the arena the whole time. 

Just him. Just his music.