On Friday, February 16th, Kendrick Lamar performed live from the TNT American Express Road Show during NBA All-Star Weekend in downtown Los Angeles.
Themed around TNT’s popular Sports Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA, the 30,000-square-foot fan fest, located just outside STAPLES Center, featured interactive experiences, basketball clinics, a food truck, and more over a four-day span—from Thursday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, Feb. 18. The weekend-long event was hosted by TNT’s Inside the NBA studio team, including Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
Grammy Award-winning recording artist Kendrick Lamar took the stage Friday night at L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square following TNT’s postgame coverage of the 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars. Kendrick Lamar is one of those rare artists who has achieved critical and commercial success while earning the respect and support of those who inspired him. A native of Compton, California, Lamar released his debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city back in October 2012, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and earned him seven Grammy Award nominations. Most recently, Lamar released the sprawling soundtrack album to last weekend’s record-breaking Marvel film, “Black Panther,” for which he contributed to all 14 tracks.
Kendrick’s performance on Friday was a condensed version of his notable “Damn” show, including the album’s big singles—such as “Humble,” “Love,” and “Loyalty”—as well as oldies like “King Kunta” and “Swimming Pools (Drank),” all accompanied by a live band. The production was mostly kept minimal in order to focus the attention on the rapper’s densely worded songs about race, identity, and the alienating emotions that can come with success—all topics that resonate with today’s audience more than ever.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 16: View of atmosphere at the Kendrick Lamar Performance at the NBA on TNT American Express Road Show Stage at LA Live on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for American Express)
The sold-out musical performances were an exclusive experience for American Express Card Members, and all ticket proceeds were donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. Overall, the event was rooted in a great cause for the community, which made it a success.
At large, the American Express Experience also included an intimate pop-up, throughout the entire weekend, that delivered a multi-sensory journey around basketball, bringing fans through different interactive rooms and installations, including the Lakers Vault, a room of 18 handmade chandelier hoops, LED-lighted neon backboards, and a walkway of exploded floorboards—all visuals that were just as insta-worthy as they were to experience in person.
