Kendrick Lamar Delivers Flawless iTunes Festival Set

20 September 2013 / 09:31

Kendrick Lamarenjoyed a European coming of age Thursday night (September 19) at Camden Town’s legendary Roundhouse and appeared visibly moved as the devoted capacity crowd knew every word to every song.

Two thirds of the way through its month-long North London residency, the iTunes Festival shows no signs of slowing down, epitomised by the 26-year old’s energetic display.

Feeling: With its high roof and open spaces, it’s a tall order to turn the Roundhouse into an intimate spot to which hip-hop is best suited, but Kendrick gave it a good go, urging sections of the crowd to out-do the others and throwing in the occasional free-style.

TheLook: Understated as ever - jeans and long sleeve tee. Minimal bling.

Banter: As he left the stage the Compton man addressed the crowd: "No matter how big or small this thing gets, I'll always come back to you. To London".

Sweat Factor: Decent sweat levels but Lamar’s tracks incite more of cool bounce than a mosh. However the man himself needed constant towelling after running from side-to-side of the stage for an hour.

Tunes: In the ticket line and bar queues people were singing KL’s anthem [uuid=6f18c1d7-4713-4cb3-9140-bc4e889d1a1f]‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’ [/uuid]so it was no surprise when it became a highlight of the main event. Other memorable moments included his stand-out verse from A$AP Rocky's [uuid=dcf24fb5-f933-415c-b2eb-faca72484982]'[/uuid][uuid=dcf24fb5-f933-415c-b2eb-faca72484982]F****n’ Problems'[/uuid]

Summary: No bells, no whistles, no dancers, no vocalists. This was hip hop for the purist (ok a few giant LED screens but come on, it's iTunes). Kendrick Lamar is leading the pack of new MCs - and he's doing it with class.

MTV Rating:

By James Barnes @mtvuknews

Kendrick Lamar Set List:

1.THE ART OF PEER PRESSURE (Interlude)

2.mAAd city (MC EIHT)

3.BACKSEAT FREESTYLE

4.PnP

5.RIP

6.F****N PROBLEMS

7.MONEY TREES

8.BITCH DONT KILL MY VIBE

9.POETIC JUSTICE