\n<\/p>\n
Kendrick Lamar\u2019s sold-out homecoming at the Kia Forum, an arena just outside Los Angeles, promised pyrotechnics with its name alone: \u201cThe Pop Out: Ken & Friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u201cPop Out\u201d ensured drama \u2014 it\u2019s from a line in Lamar\u2019s \u201cNot Like Us,\u201d<\/a> his recent No. 1 song, and a scathing salvo in his war of words with Drake<\/a>.<\/p>\n The \u201c& Friends\u201d guaranteed surprise appearances from high-profile names: ultimately Dr. Dre, YG, Tyler, the Creator, Roddy Rich, Schoolboy Q and Steve Lacy, among many others. The whole thing would go down on Juneteenth<\/a>, the annual celebration of Black emancipation in America, after a battle in which Lamar questioned Drake\u2019s status within the Black community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Lamar, the most celebrated rapper of a generation, had unofficially won<\/a> the most high-profile hip-hop diss war in 20 years. Fans who came in person (the event was also streamed on Amazon Music) arrived anticipating a victory lap.<\/p>\n Lamar\u2019s official merch booths offered T-shirts that referenced the Drake beef, but many fans opted to bring their own, far more pointed homemade versions. Using an app, Nicole Flemate from Reedley, Calif., pasted Drake\u2019s face onto a box of a drug used for weight loss that Lamar accused him of using. \u201cI took the little nice lady out and threw Drake on there. I looked for the worst picture of Drake,\u201d she said, all laughs and smiles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The symbolism of the show being held on Juneteenth was not lost on the crowd, many clad in colorful shirts that celebrated the holiday. Ayeshia Garrett and her husband, Jamaal, who made the trip from Chicago, both wore Juneteenth attire. \u201cEverything Kendrick does has significance,\u201d she said. \u201cHe wants us to think deeply, beyond the art. He\u2019s trying to educate us.\u201d She added, \u201cWe have to show up and let Kendrick know we know what this is about.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Irene Kirkland from Pasadena, Calif., found significance in how a line from the battle connected to the holiday. \u201cI remember Drake was saying, \u2018Oh you rap like you trying to free some slaves.\u2019 And then Kendrick comes back on<\/em> Juneteenth \u2014 the day that we were freed<\/em> \u2014 and then pops out with a Juneteenth concert. How epic is that?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The all-star lineup poured out during DJ Mustard\u2019s opening set. The crowd screamed for Tyler, jumped for Roddy Ricch and both screamed and jumped for YG. Before Lamar emerged, the crowd began to chant a vulgar taunt aimed at Drake that plays off the name of his OVO record label.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cKendrick stood on business the whole time, for real. He didn\u2019t lie in anything that he said,\u201d the San Diego engineering student Adrian Vargas said. \u201cAnd Drake just did a whole lot of denying. Saying that he doesn\u2019t want to do this anymore, saying I don\u2019t want to beef anymore. Kendrick kind of solidified his spot as the best.\u201d<\/p>\n