Kendrick Lamar forgot the words to Vice City so he just drops a fire? freestyle instead ? @TopDawgEnt #TDE pic.twitter.com/p9fDDDTsWH
— Joey (@_Jo3y) December 21, 2016
As I mentioned repeatedly on both our best rap albums list and my own top 20 of 2016, Kendrick Lamar on a bad day is still better than most rappers on their best day. Untitled Unmastered gave us plenty of proof to back that up, but in case you’re still on the fence take this freestyle as Exhibit B. Kendrick completely blanked on his verse for Jay Rock’s “Vice City” while performing at the Top Dawg Enterntainment Holiday Concert at the Nickerson Gardens Projects in Watts, Los Angeles.
Instead of stuttering or letting the song crash down aaround him, Kendrick freestyled an entire verse that just might be better than the original. Check it out up top.
But the impromptu Kendrick verse was far from the only highlight of the free concert. Turns out K Dot is a pretty great performer when he remembers the words as well. He dug bag into his king-making album to play “m.A.A.d. city” for an ecstatic crowd.
King @KendrickLamar performing live in the #NickersonGardens for #TDEXmas2016 #TPAB x #untitledunmastered OUT NOW! #TDE pic.twitter.com/6Czmu78ywE
— TOP DAWG ENT (@TopDawgEnt) December 21, 2016
ScHoolboy Q played his own hit “THat Part” and Ab-Soul performed “Terrorist Threats.” Take a look at those performances below.
#GroovyTony Himself @ScHoolboyQ performing #THatPart live in tHe #NickersonGardens for #TDEXmas2016 #BlankFaceLP OUT NOW! #TDE pic.twitter.com/q13kGWbkjC
— TOP DAWG ENT (@TopDawgEnt) December 21, 2016
The Black Lip Pastor @AbdashSoul performing live in the #NickersonGardens for #TDEXmas2016 “Do What Thou Wilt” OUT NOW! #TDE pic.twitter.com/4OVcCUmrh5
— TOP DAWG ENT (@TopDawgEnt) December 21, 2016
Even the names that aren’t on TDE’s marquee (yet) made an appearance. SZA, and Isiah Rashad both took turns on the stage.
The lovely @SZA performing live in the #NickersonGardens for #TDEXmas2016 #TDE pic.twitter.com/cbFcP9w51Y
— TOP DAWG ENT (@TopDawgEnt) December 21, 2016
#TDE‘s @IsaiahRashad performing live in the #NickersonGardens for #TDEXmas2016 #TheSunsTirade OUT NOW! pic.twitter.com/4enlAYNeBh
— TOP DAWG ENT (@TopDawgEnt) December 21, 2016
Of course, that isn’t what you came for. If you want more of King Kendrick being great live, check out our own Zac Gelfand’s review of his intimate Brooklyn set.
