On May 21, 2025, Kendrick Lamar and SZA launched their highly anticipated Grand National Tour with a sensational performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The sold-out event marked the start of a three-night residency in Los Angeles and set a high bar for the duo’s 19-city stadium tour across North America. The performance was a celebration of their musical legacies, as well as a reaffirmation of their profound connection to the city they both call home.
The opening night featured a meticulously crafted setlist of 52 songs that spanned the artists’ expansive discographies. Kendrick Lamar energized the crowd with iconic tracks such as “HUMBLE.,” “Swimming Pools (Drank),” and his latest single “Not Like Us,” which has quickly become a fan favorite. SZA’s set, equally mesmerizing, included chart-toppers like “Kill Bill,” “Good Days,” and “Kiss Me More.” The chemistry between the artists was most evident during their joint performances of “All the Stars” and “Gloria,” a standout track from Lamar’s 2024 album GNX, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.
Visually, the show was a spectacle of innovation and artistry. Elaborate stage designs, cutting-edge lighting systems, and synchronized visuals elevated the performance into a full-scale multimedia experience. Every detail, from pyrotechnics to the use of massive LED screens, was designed to enhance the emotional and narrative impact of the music. Fans responded with thunderous applause and emotional outbursts, underscoring the profound connection between the performers and their audience.
The Grand National Tour marks the first time Lamar and SZA have embarked on a joint stadium tour since their collaboration during the 2018 Top Dawg Entertainment Championship Tour. Their renewed partnership reflects both their evolution as artists and their enduring creative synergy. It also underscores the staying power of artists who continue to resonate with a wide audience through socially conscious lyrics, experimental sounds, and genre-blending artistry.
The concert also arrived on the heels of another major career highlight for both performers. In February 2025, Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, with SZA joining him for a surprise set that captivated viewers worldwide. Their performance was praised for its cultural impact and for reaffirming the artists’ commitment to representing Black excellence and community empowerment on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Ticket demand for the remaining shows at SoFi Stadium has skyrocketed, with resale prices reflecting fans’ eagerness to witness the tour. Following their Los Angeles dates, Lamar and SZA are set to perform in major cities including Houston, Atlanta, New York, and Toronto. Each venue is expected to host thousands of fans eager for a glimpse of what has already been dubbed one of the most ambitious musical undertakings of the year.
Beyond the music, the Grand National Tour serves as a testament to Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s role as cultural icons. Their lyrics often delve into themes of identity, mental health, social justice, and personal growth—topics that resonate deeply with today’s audiences. In an era of fleeting pop hits, Lamar and SZA’s artistry continues to build bridges between generations and communities, offering not only entertainment but also introspection and dialogue.
As the tour continues, it promises to offer a series of performances that are not just memorable for their scale and spectacle, but also for their emotional and cultural significance. For fans in Los Angeles, the SoFi Stadium kickoff was more than a concert—it was a homecoming, a shared moment of joy and pride in two of the city’s most influential artists.