Kendrick Lamar Takes Aim At Drake On First Night Of ‘Grand National Tour’
By Tony M. Centeno
April 21, 2025
Kendrick Lamar didn't waste any time snubbing Drake on the first night of his highly anticipated tour.
Fans flocked to the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday night, April 19, to witness the beginning of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Grand National Tour." The duo hit the stage to perform their slew of hits together including "30 For 30," which they performed for the first time live, "All The Stars," "luther" and "gloria." During the final act of the night, Lamar played a clip from an apparent mock deposition for Drake's lawsuit against UMG. In the clip, an attorney asked about Drake's "drop, drop, drop" adlib on "Family Matters" before he performed "Not Like Us."
Kendrick Lamar referenced his issues with Drake throughout the night. He began the show with "wacced out murals" from his GNX album and later delivered "Euphoria." He even stirred the pot by performing his scathing verse on "Like That" and his Drake-assisted hit "Poetic Justice." Fans also noticed that Lamar performed all the aforementioned tracks on the first anniversary of Drake's "Taylor Gang Freestyle," in which the Canadian rapper essentially dared Lamar to drop a diss track about him.
The "Grand National Tour" will continue to 18 other major cities around the U.S. and Canada. The tour lasts two hours and 45 minutes with seven acts in total. DJ Mustard opens the show with a high-energy set before Kendrick and SZA perform their hits back-and-forth throughout the show.
Check out more scenes from the first night of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Grand National Tour" below.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA in a visual interlude for the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/rwEM2SjGo2
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
SZA and Kendrick Lamar during the live debut of their collaboration “30 For 30” tonight at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/GiQThfS3Md
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
SZA levitating as a fairy for her live performance of “Saturn” at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/zQ3kYUdxS0
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
SZA during her live performance of “Kill Bill” at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/iowVgI29Vw
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
Kendrick Lamar during his live debut of “dodger blue” tonight at the #GrandNationalTour in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/sHFn1MZHbV
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
Kendrick Lamar debuting his collaboration with Playboi Carti “GOOD CREDIT” at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/UtmnPay10h
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
Kendrick Lamar performing “man at the garden” at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/uWgxjSOq9Q
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
Kendrick Lamar performing “euphoria” wearing an X chain at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/EkeE43rPX1
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
Kendrick Lamar performing “squabble up” at the #GrandNationalTour. pic.twitter.com/Txh8cwejht
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025
Kendrick Lamar and SZA closing their first night on the #GrandNationalTour with “gloria.” pic.twitter.com/8705hShypB
— Grand National Tour Updates (@GNTourUpdates) April 20, 2025