Kendrick Lamar Delivers a Jaw-Dropping Performance at Panorama Festival 16’

Photo by Andrew Kung of HYPEFRESH

Minutes before Kendrick Lamar set foot on stage, thousands of TDE fans at Panorama Festival 16’ (Located in Randall Island Park, NYC) chanted his name in unison. It almost sounded like a “summon,” reminiscent of a ritual you’d see in a scary movie. Jam-packed standing room areas swarmed with those awaiting his presence.

“Kendrick…. Kendrick….. Kendrick……”

The lights went dark, instantly causing a raging roar from the crowd. Moments later, the GRAMMY award winning bar-spitter emerged from the shadows. The people went insane. Delivering a musical medley from his previous album Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, to his latest LP To Pimp a Butterfly Kendrick delivered a performance unlike any other seen before. Being accompanied by a live band, what made the music more captivating was undoubtedly his stage presence, in addition to the futuristic and opulent “Panorama Stage.”

The Panorama Stage added an “unprecedented depth and color” to the live music stagecraft of Kendrick Lamar with its 30’ of tall ultra high definition video screens wrapping 170’ around the stage. This ultimately led to fans having an immersive audio/video festival experience. Throw in fog smoke and epileptic flashing lights? This showcase was nothing less than exceptional.

HYPEFRESH, Inc. was also in attendance and shared their short video recap of the breathtaking performance (which can be viewed below.)

Utilizing such technology alongside his music performance created an interactive visual experience for the fans. In between songs, the stage would go completely dark (with the exception of the center screen) displaying a video clip of Kendrick’s eyes cutting left and right anxiously. And during certain performances, visual clips of legendary greats such as Prince, Janet, Michael Jordan, Pam Grier, Tupac and others would loop receptively in the backdrop.

“If it wasn’t for all my day ones in the audience right now, I wouldn’t have a voice right now,” said Kendrick during his performance exit. “And i’m using my voice y’all gave me to give back to every one of you.” Nothing could compare to likes of what the people witnessed last evening. Call it a blessing or just pure “philanthropy,” Kendrick Lamar delivered one historical presentation of his art form for the people.

Photography Credit: Andrew Kung of HYPEFRESH, Inc. exclusively for RESPECT Mag.

Words by: Clark @ HYPEFRESH, Inc.