The highly anticipated grand national tour of Kendrick Lamar and SZA was an event to remember. The concert started with DJ Mustard opening for the show, delivering an electric performance with a lot of hype and energy. Lamar and SZA, both recent labelmates under Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), proved why they were one of the most influential artists in the modern day. The blend of Kendricks’s lyricism with SZA’s soulful R&B melodies was lighting up the stadium.
The event took place in NRG Stadium on April 23, 2025. Lamar and SZA both had solo moments on stage and also had moments where they were both singing their collaborated songs. Lamar’s performance had a lot of songs fresh off the release of his album GNX; he opened his set with high energy performing with tracks like “Squabble Up”, “Reincarnated” and “Pikaboo”. His stage production had a very cinematic quality to it as he blended immersive visuals with props like a car along with his backup dancers and had good effects like flames shooting from the stage and dynamic lighting. These components led to a strong delivery of performance.
A stand-out moment for Lamar was his “Not Like Us” performance at NRG Stadium, just before the explosive “beat drop, drop, drop, drop,” a clip playing showing Kendrick sitting at a desk in a white lightroom, speaking to an interviewer. The interviewer asks “Do you ever feel misunderstood in the game?” Lamar replies thoughtfully, “All the time. But I’d rather be real than be liked.” That moment cut suddenly then the beat dropped, and the stadium flared up. The stage and the crowd completely lit up. The song, which went on to win five Grammys, marked a defining moment in Lamar’s career, showing his ability to turn personal truth into cultural fire.
Kenrick and SZA’s ability to control the crowd lit up the stadium, whether he was delivering rapid-fire verses like “humble” to slowing it down for SZA’s songs like “Snooze” and “Saturn”.
SZA’s performance was mesmerizing, following the success of her SOS album and its reissue, Lana, which brought a different but equally captivating energy. Her setlist was a mix of fan favorites like “Kill Bill”, “Good Days” and “Snooze”, alongside deeper songs such as “Broken Clocks” and “Love Galore” Her stage presence was magnetic; it just drew in the audience flawlessly transitioning from airless vocals to high energy choreography.
A standout moment in her performance was in “Saturn” which has been a significant track for SZA since it earned her the 2025 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. In this visually stunning part, SZA rose to the stage in a long dress designed to resemble a cocoon. As she sang, the dress started unfurling and she was lifted into the air, revealing a pair of butterfly wings. This transformation symbolized metamorphosis and rebirth, aligning with the themes of the song. This performance was part of a larger insect theme throughout her set featuring dancers dressed as bugs and props like giant ants, trees, plants, and flowers. The imaginative staging and choreography added depth to the concert experience, leaving an excited mood and a good impact on the crowd.
The fans were really satisfied with the long-awaited performance. The crowd’s excitement was undeniable and many fans expressed how much the performance lived up to their expectations. “The Kendrick and SZA concert was extremely fun in my opinion.” Said sophomore Quirine Michielsen at The Village School.“I have been a fan of both artists for a few years now, so seeing them live was like a dream come true. Also, since I went with a friend, I believe I had even more fun.”
The final verdict is that this is a must-see Tour for people into rap and R&B; following near-flawless performances, stunning production, and a setlist that appealed to both casual listeners and die-hard fans, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Houston stop was a huge success. The only minor critique was the abbreviated runtime (just under two hours), leaving fans wanting even more.
Rating Breakdown:
Performance: 10/10 – Both artists delivered powerful and strong high-energy sets.
Production: 9.5/10 – Immersive visuals
Crowd Engagement: 9.5/10 – Houston showed eagerness and the crowd was ecstatic.
Setlist: 9/10 – A few older songs could have been included.
Overall: 9.5/10 – One of the better tours of 2025; If you have the chance to catch them in another city, don’t miss it.
