Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to Studio 8H. The “Alright” singer used to be “Saturday Night Live” musical guest in 2013 and 2014, and he joined Anderson .Paak to perform “Tints” in 2018. Given how strong his previous “SNL” performances have been, Lamar was the perfect performer to kick off Season 48.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper played a three-song set including “Father Time,” “Rich Spirit” and “N95,” all of which appeared on his Album “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers”.. Lamar’s performances have been largely limited, showcasing his voice the most. He performed all three songs in a white box set up on stage, which made for some interesting shadow art.
For his final song of the night, “Father Time,” Lamar enlisted Sampha, who has accompanied him on the studio album, as special musical guest to join him for a blistering performance that made excellent use of the box-like space. In the song, he sings about his difficult relationship with his father, which makes turning the space into a tiny home even more difficult.
It’s been a busy year for Lamar, and his performance on “SNL” is the perfect way to celebrate the success of “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” The artist recently wrapped up the North American leg of his “The Big Steppers Tour” and is set to kick off the European leg on October 7 in Amsterdam. Check out Lamar’s “SNL” performance below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ursSZ0NCw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04qA4krEub8
Image Credit: Will Heath/NBC