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.
🚀 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.
🔥 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.
💡 Why This Tour is Changing the Game
As a fan, here’s my take:
- Business Brilliance: By co-headlining, they’ve doubled their reach. Kendrick’s rap stans + SZA’s R&B hive = UNSTOPPABLE.
- 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 .
- Innovation: Who else blends insect ballets with Pulitzer-level rap? They’re pushing live shows into new dimensions.
🎯 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