The Atlantic

Kendrick Lamar Opens the Grammys With Rage

In a medley featuring U2 and Dave Chappelle, the rapper gave a stark, spellbinding airing of anger and pride.
Source: Matt Sayles / AP

The dark heart of Kendrick Lamar’s comes midway through “XXX,” when Lamar is given a chance to offer a message of peace—and declines. He raps about a friend of his whose only son was murdered and who then came to Lamar asking for Christian solace: “He was lookin’ for some closure / Hopin’ I

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