The Whitsdom Press

Tag: SZA

  • Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Grand National Tour: A Cultural Reset

    Y’all. Let me just say this upfront: Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour isn’t just a concert series—it’s a cultural reset. As a musical fan who’s been tracking every setlist, surprise guest, and viral moment from TikTok and Twitter (X.com), I’m here to break down why this tour is everything.

    Grand National Tour SOLD OUT show in Chicago 6/6/2025

    🚀 Tour Stats: Breaking Records & Selling Out Cities

    • Sold-Out Domination: 20 out of 23 North American shows SOLD OUT, averaging 49,000 fans per night. From Minneapolis to Toronto, cities are buckling under the demand.
    • Global Reign: shows across the U.S., Canada, and Europe (ending August 9 in Stockholm).
    • The Vibe: Named after Kendrick’s iconic Buick GNX (which literally rises onstage during his opener—chills!).

    🎤 The Magic: Why Their Duo Works

    Kendrick and SZA aren’t just sharing a stage; they’re merging two universes:

    • Kendrick’s World: Moody grays, military-precision choreography, and raw intensity. He raps under a lone streetlamp for “Reincarnated” like a hip-hop noir hero.
    • SZA’s World: A living garden with giant ants (“Anthony”), praying mantis dancers, and butterfly wings. She sang “Saturn” while floating in a cocoon gown—yes, REALLY.
    • Together: Their chemistry explodes during collabs like “All the Stars,” where they rise on separate platforms, singing to the skies. Poetry in motion.

    SZA transforms into a butterfly…or a fairy. We nicknamed her “Thickerbelle”🧚🏾‍♀️

    Doja hits the stage to join SZA in their hit “Kiss Me More”

    SZA soothes Justin Beiber to their duet hit “Snooze”

    Lizzo and her new body performs her hit with SZA, “Special”

    🌟 Special Guests: The A-List Parade

    The surprises have been UNREAL:

    • Playboi Carti jumped out in Atlanta for “Good Credit” squawking like a bird. The moshpit people loved it.
    • Baby Keem (Kendrick’s cousin) crushed “Family Ties” in New Jersey.
    • Lizzo brought viral energy to “Special” in L.A., while Justin Bieber swooned with SZA on “Snooze”. I don’t care what yall say, whatever Justin is going through, it didn’t matter on that stage with SZA. She made sure he felt safe.
    • Doja Cat emerged from literal bushes to perform “Kiss Me More” in Vegas (and I screamed).
    • Celebs in Crowds: Pusha T, Roddy Rich, Lebron James, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Ronald Isley & Kandy Johnson, Jermaine Dupri, Anderson Paak are a few to name who attended shows with their loved ones.

    💄 SZA’s NOT BEAUTY Pop-Ups: Gloss & Glam On Tour

    Between sets, SZA’s been hustling her vegan lip gloss line, NOT BEAUTY, with pop-ups in every city:

    • Shades: “Strawberry Jelly,” “In the Flesh,” and “Quartz” ($23 each).
    • Vibes: Free entry, fan meet-ups, and Kendrick even showed face at the New Jersey event looking all cute and healed. Boss moves.
    Kendrick Lamar surprised fans at SZA’s “Not Beauty” pop-up event in New Jersey at the American Dream Mall.

    🔥 Iconic Moments We’ll Never Forget

    • Super Bowl Tease: Their Halftime Show collab was a sneak peek of this tour’s power
    • Kendrick performing “Good Credit” live. I told yall Good Credit was going to be a hit, but yall were so upset he did a collab with Playboi Carti. Good business is good business and if you got good credit, you’ll get more good business.
    • Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” turned from diss track to Black excellence anthem, backed by vibrant visuals of African art and Funkadelic.
    • SZA’s “Kill Bill” with a female mantis EATING HER MATE on screen. Dark? Yes. Genius? Absolutely.
    • Their fake deposition skit trolling Drake’s lawsuit: SZA smoking a joint while Kendrick orders takeout. PETTY.
    Kendrick performing “Good Credit”

    💡 Why This Tour is Changing the Game

    As a fan, here’s my take:

    1. Business Brilliance: By co-headlining, they’ve doubled their reach. Kendrick’s rap stans + SZA’s R&B hive = UNSTOPPABLE.
    2. Artistic Trust: These are two TDE OGs (labelmates since 2013!) who respect each other’s craft. Their collabs (“Luther,” “30 for 30”) feel organic, not forced .
    3. Innovation: Who else blends insect ballets with Pulitzer-level rap? They’re pushing live shows into new dimensions.
    Even got the security guards dancing…

    🎯 Final Thoughts

    The Grand National Tour isn’t just about music—it’s about community. From SZA’s beauty pop-ups (shoutout to the gloss girlies!) to Kendrick’s L.A. hometown love, they’re proving that hip-hop and R&B can share space, shine together, and sell out STADIUMS.

    If you snagged tickets: I envy you. If not? Track those resales. Watch from TikTok! History is being made, and y’all better witness it! 🔥

    Tour dates + merch at grandnationaltour.com 

  • Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s ‘Luther’: A Record-Breaking R&B Hit

    Kendrick Lamar and SZA just dropped a romantic bombshell with their new music video for “Luther,” and the numbers are wild. Not only did the visual rack up 5.3 million YouTube views in its first 24 hours—making it the fastest R&B song to hit that milestone in 2025—but it also crushed Drake’s “Nokia” video, which managed 2.1 million views in its debut week. Let’s break down why this collab is dominating the charts and the conversation.

    By the Numbers: “Luther” vs. “Nokia”

    • 7-Hour Smash: Within just 7 hours of release, “Luther” hit 2.3 million views, overtaking Drake’s “Nokia” (2.1M) to become the 5th biggest YouTube debut for a hip-hop artist this year.
    • 24-Hour Reign: By the end of Day 1, the video soared to 5.3 million views, securing the #1 trending spot on YouTube and setting a new record for R&B tracks in 2025.
    • Chart Domination: The song itself isn’t new—it’s been ruling the Billboard Hot 100 for 7 consecutive weeks, thanks partly to Kendrick and SZA’s show-stopping Super Bowl halftime performance.

    Meanwhile, Drake stans are left scrambling as Kendrick quietly flexes his viral power. Fans online are split, with one user joking, “Drake’s gonna blame bots for this”, while others praise Kendrick’s “authentic” approach to drops: no ads, no countdowns—just a random Friday surprise.

    Inside the “Luther” Video: Love, Architecture, and a Drake Jab?

    Directed by Karena Evans (known for Drake’s “In My Feelings” and “God’s Plan”), the video is a moody, romantic masterpiece. Here’s the vibe:

    • Two Love Stories: Kendrick and SZA are shown with separate love interests—a rare choice that avoids clichés. SZA struts through brutalist hallways, while Kendrick rolls up in a vintage Buick GNX, draped in red cloth.
    • Nostalgic Samples: The track samples Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1980s classic “If This World Were Mine,” which plays in full at the video’s end—a nod to the song’s soulful roots.
    • Subtle Shade?: Hiring Evans, Drake’s frequent collaborator, feels like a cheeky power move amid their ongoing feud. Kendrick’s team hasn’t commented, but fans called it “mind games”.

    The visuals mix bold colors and black-and-white scenes, capturing quiet, intimate moments—like SZA smoking outside a building while Kendrick dances in an empty room. It’s less flashy, more feelings. I also noticed that the location of this video was the same place where the GNX Teaser (or what we fans call the sample ‘Bodies’ was filmed).

    Why “Luther” Can’t Lose

    The track’s success is no accident. It’s the crown jewel of Kendrick’s surprise 2024 album GNX, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and spawned 12 Hot 100 entries (5 in the top 10). Add SZA’s silky vocals and a timeless sample, and you’ve got a recipe for a record-breaker.

    And the timing? Perfect. The video dropped just 8 days before their joint Grand National Tour kicks off in Minneapolis (April 19), with stops in Atlanta, L.A., and Europe. Expect “Luther” to stay on repeat—both online and onstage.

    Final Take

    Kendrick and SZA didn’t just drop a video—they dropped a statement. While Drake’s “Nokia” had its moment, “Luther” proves that organic buzz, raw talent, and a touch of rivalry can’t be beat. As one fan put it: “Kendrick doesn’t chase numbers; the numbers chase him”.

    Catch the “Luther” video on YouTube—and stay tuned for more sparks when the Grand National Tour hits your city.