Kendrick Lamar headlined the second night of the Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal over the weekend, and when the opportunity to invite one of his idols, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), onstage presented itself, he jumped at it.
During Lamar’s set, which even included his verse from A$AP Rocky’s “F*ckin’ Problems” done over Dr. Dre’s “Xplosive,” Lamar noticed Bey milling about the wings of the stage just as he was about to launch into two singles off his latest release, To Pimp a Butterfly, “King Kunta” and “Alright.” According to Pigeons and Planes, Lamar took a few stabs at bringing Bey onstage before he finally agreed, gracing the stage with some dance moves and appreciation of Lamar. He then told the crowd that Bey inspired him to get into rap music.
One doesn’t invite Yasiin Bey onstage and not ask him to rap, though. Lamar wisely handed Bey the mic so Bey could spit a bit during “Alright,” creating a unique and altered version of what’s already a charged up and powerful song.
(Via NME)