Kendrick Lamar told everyone to pull out their cell phones and they obliged. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
Kendrick Lamar rocked Rock the Bells.
As part of the collective Black Hippy, Lamar had a huge solo set backed by a real live band.
Black Hippy, made up of Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab Soul and Jay Rock, had the penultimate set on the main stage for the opening day of Rock the Bells at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore.
I missed the beginning of the set while I was working on my Bone Thugs-N-Harmony/Eazy-E article, but fellow journalists told me Ab-Soul started the set and brought out guest star Danny Brown. I caught the very end of Schoolboy Q’s set, but didn’t see Jay Rock at all.
Kendrick Lamar performs on stage at Rock the Bells at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Sept. 7. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
Then it was time for Lamar, who brought energy and was one of the most dynamic performers at Rock the Bells I’ve seen in a while. He jumped in the air, played to the audience and most of all–just nailed his performance.
Highlights included “M.A.A.d City,” “…Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “Swimming Pools.”
He encouraged the audience to have a good time.
“This is your moment to let this…go,” Lamar told the crowd.