Kendrick Lamar’s lukewarm performance at Hey Neighbour will not win him new followers
Internationally acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar graced the Hey Neighbour Festival’s day two as the headline artist… but Shwa was just not entirely impressed with what unfolded in Pretoria, Tshwane.
Lamar, one of the most successful and influential rappers of all time, returned to South Africa for his most anticipated performance.
Inasmuch as his music selection and his raps were good, but K.dot, his old name, delivered a somewhat basic performance, not in keeping with his usual self when he is on fire.
The multiple-Grammy award winner is known for his ethereal creativity and cinematic storytelling through his performances – arguably the greatest performers of his generation.
A typical example of how creative King Kendrick Lamar is was highlighted by the short dancers who joined him on stage. Shwa, without a shadow of doubt, can confidently say their act was beyond human imagination. First rate stuff.
The visuals on the big screens, and the painting behind him, were out of this world.
Another sticky issue was that the media was not allowed backstage. Could it be that “his team” might have been concerned we could be carrying bombs of some sort… imagine!
But take nothing away from his overall performance, it was as solid as it was also clean.
Even Shwa sang along the raps throughout the performance. But man, it could have been done much better for his African brothers and sisters… the Kendrick Shwa witnessed at the Johannesburg Stadium some nine years ago, in 2014, and on some of his global performances on YouTube, was missing.
Lamar just didn’t live up to expectation befitting a performer of his calibre.
But hats off and bow down to the King! The Messiah of Rap! He touched down the African shores and graced us with his appearance.
