LIVE REVIEW
21/07/2025 - Kendrick Lamar & SZA, PRINCIPALITY STADIUM, CARDIFF
Credit: TOP DAWG ENTERTAINMENT / RCA RECORDS / PG LANG
Words by Jord Hailwood
Saturday night truly felt like a movie.
I had the absolute pleasure of witnessing The Grand National Tour, a co-headlined tour between two of the most important artists of today — the king of rap, Kendrick Lamar, and the R&B princess, SZA. The tour made its stop at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday evening.
On paper, Kendrick and SZA shouldn’t work together. They’re a bit like crisps in a sandwich — a combination that sounds odd at first, but once you try it, it makes perfect sense. Their duet relationship goes way back to 2014’s Babylon from SZA’s third EP, Z, and their latest collaboration is 30 for 30, a new track featured on the Lana reissue of her SOS album.
I’m usually unsure about tours with multiple headliners — the structure can feel disjointed — but this one mostly worked. The pair took turns performing sets, then came together for some of their iconic duets. Kendrick opened the show with Wacced Out Murals, the first track from his latest album GNX. The crowd was electric from the first beat. As someone who’s been a Kendrick fan for over a decade, this was a huge moment. It’s refreshing to see an artist stay true to his craft and still thrive. A sold-out stadium of 75,000 people is proof of Kendrick’s — and SZA’s — enduring talent.
Kendrick’s opening set included a strong mix from his catalogue: Squabble Up, King Kunta, ELEMENT, and TV Off. Then came the transition — SZA entering the stage to join Kendrick for 30 for 30. Their chemistry was immediate. From there, she shifted into her solo set, leaning into beloved tracks from CTRL. There’s so much nostalgia tied to her early work, and hearing songs like Love Galore, Broken Clocks, and The Weekend live felt like a full-circle moment. SZA’s seraphic voice floated through the stadium, taking me back to a time when love felt simple and easy to believe in. (If only I knew then what I know now.)
The atmosphere was emotionally charged, with so much visible love in the room. Both Kendrick and SZA found the perfect balance in their setlists, which isn’t always easy. Too often, artists lean too heavily into either their newest material or their old hits, neglecting one in favour of the other. SZA got the balance right, but Kendrick? He knocked it out of the park. Seamlessly shifting between tracks from GNX and what are now considered modern rap classics — Money Trees, HUMBLE., Alright — was exactly what a Kendrick show needs.
The two of them have an overwhelming number of hits. No matter where the show was at, you knew another crowd-pleaser was just around the corner — whether it was Kiss Me More or Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe. But one of the biggest highlights for me was Kendrick’s angelic, spicy version of m.A.A.d city, mashed up with Anita Baker’s Sweet Love. It was unexpected, clever, and somehow worked. I never thought I’d use “angelic” to describe a Kendrick Lamar moment, but here we are.
That mashup is just another example of why Kendrick Lamar is, without a doubt, the most important rapper alive.
Another unforgettable moment? All The Stars. This track — arguably their best collaboration — lit up the stadium. The lights were blinding, the mics were on, and the love in the air was palpable. The hits kept coming, and this was one of the rare shows where I genuinely didn’t want the night to end.
Also — special shout-out to Kendrick’s dancers. A beautifully synchronised, powerful group of young Black performers who brought even more life to the stage. Their movements were crisp, emotionally expressive, and impeccably choreographed. Big up them!
The show closed with Luther, followed by Gloria. Personally, I think Luther should’ve been the finale — it’s clearly the more popular track — but that’s just me.
Now, to be honest, the show often felt more like a Kendrick Lamar concert featuring SZA, rather than a true co-headline. Don’t get me wrong — they’re both phenomenal artists, and they’re incredible together. But SZA didn’t quite bring the same level of energy Kendrick did. As a major SZA fan, it pains me to admit that during her solo moments, I sometimes found myself waiting for Kendrick to return. I think it’s a vibe mismatch more than anything. Kendrick’s music is aggressive, fast-paced, and full of fire. SZA is mellow, emotional, and soft-spoken. Together, they make stunning love songs — but for a full co-headline tour, the energy didn’t always sync up.
That said, they know how to put on a show. The set length was just right — long enough to feel like you got your money’s worth, but not overwhelming. As a young Black person, seeing two Black artists at the top of their game, performing to tens of thousands of people, was incredibly inspiring. It’s a reminder of what’s possible with talent, vision, and years of hard work.
Kendrick and SZA truly deserve it all.
Rating - 4/5 - Listen to GNX & Lana
