https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6duv1u
Before the show even began, Grammys host James Corden said that Kendrick Lamar had cooked up, “without question, the most unique and bold opening you could ever imagine, I think, in Grammy history.” A bold statement, sure, but the Compton MC came through and totally validated him.
Kung Fu Kenny pulled out all the stops for his show-opening his set. Emerging from the darkness flanked by a squadron of soldiers, Lamar rapped out his DAMN cut “XXX” with startling precision. Midway through he was joined by The Edge and Bono live to add some live vocals and guitar parts, before being interrupted by comedian Dave Chappelle, who spurred him on, roaring “Rumble Young man, rumble!”
Kendrick could be in for a big night this year if everything breaks his way. He’s up for more nominations than any other artist on the docket, including Record Of The Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video for his single, “Humble.” Another single “Loyalty,” which features Rihanna could take home the Best Rap/Sung Performance Grammy, while his 2017 album DAMN is up for Best Rap Album, and the most coveted prize of them all, Album Of The Year.
This isn’t the first time Kendrick has been thrown into the Album Of The Year mix. Two of his last three albums prior to DAMN were also up for the honor, but he’s yet to actually win it. 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City lost to Daft Punk’s Random Access Memory, while his 2015 full-length project To Pimp A Butterfly was spurned in favor of Taylor Swift’s 1989. In fact, no rap artist has won the Album Of The Year awards since OutKast claimed it back in 2004 for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Watch that performance above and check out the full list of winners continually updating throughout the night here.
