The last time Pulitzer Prize winning rapper Kendrick Lamar visited SA, he was a fast-rising rapper making waves across the globe off the back of his critically acclaimed debut album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”.
Now, Lamar is set to return almost exactly a decade later as one of the world’s biggest musicians.
Hey Neighbour Festival announced on Monday that Lamar was the latest star to join their impressive festival line-up that already includes H.E.R, Khalid, The Chainsmokers and Swedish House Mafia.
The festival will be held from December 8 to 10. “Multi-Grammy-winning artist, Pulitzer Prize recipient, cultural icon and living legend,” they shared on Twitter.
“Neighbours! Join us in celebrating the unrivaled greatness of Kendrick Lamar as he takes the spotlight on Day 2 of our festival! 🎶🎟️Tickets only through @ticketpro🎟️ 🌍 #HeyNeighbour.”
Multi-Grammy-winning artist, Pulitzer Prize recipient, cultural icon and living legend.
— HeyNeighbourFest (@HeyNeighbourFes) June 27, 2023
Neighbours! Join us in celebrating the unrivaled greatness of Kendrick Lamar as he takes the spotlight on Day 2 of our festival! 🎶
🎟️Tickets only through @ticketpro🎟️
🌍 #HeyNeighbour pic.twitter.com/B3Ck6M3ucg
Lamar’s last visit, which was back in March 2014, saw him perform live in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Following his trip to SA, Lamar famously released his magnum opus album “To Pimp a Butterfly”.
The album included a song titled “How Much A Dollar Cost” in which he recounted how during his stay here he ran into a homeless man at a petrol station who asked him for R10 (approx. $1 at the time).
Initially, Lamar said no and expressed a feeling of resentment when the man berated him.
After the man asked if he’d read Exodus 14 in the Bible, Lamar began to feel guilty and sympathetic towards him. On the song, he attributed his selfishness towards his success.
Lamar is currently on a world tour dubbed “The Big Steppers Tour”. The tour is considered the highest-grossing rap tour of all-time with a total revenue exceeding $100-million.
On Sunday, Lamar capped off yet another successful year by winning the award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards for a record sixth time.