Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour unfolded at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood from May 21 to 24, 2025, as one of the most celebrated legs in a blockbuster North American stadium run. Over four nights, the venue was packed with electrifying energy, hosting nearly 150,000 fans and earning over $40 million in revenue, making this stop a defining moment for the tour and a historic achievement for both artists. Featuring co-headlining performances and high-impact collaborations, the concerts set new standards for artistic ambition and hip-hop spectacle.
A Homecoming for Hip-Hop Royalty
This leg of the Grand National Tour marked a deeply personal return for Kendrick Lamar, whose hometown pride was palpable from the stage. Kicking off each evening with a roll call of local neighborhoods—Compton, South Central, Inglewood, Long Beach—Lamar made it clear that this was more than a tour stop; it was a homecoming celebration in the heart of Los Angeles. The show’s significance was compounded by the stellar year both artists had enjoyed, with chart-topping hits, Grammy wins, collaborated film soundtracks, and even Super Bowl performances. Rather than coasting on this momentum, Lamar and SZA approached the SoFi concerts as a challenge, delivering three-hour performances that married technical brilliance with raw emotion.
Setlist, Structure, and Special Guests
Unlike typical co-headlining shows, Kendrick and SZA crafted a concert with alternating sets, interwoven duets, and thoughtfully sequenced transitions. Lamar opened each night emerging from a Buick Grand National, igniting the crowd with “wacced out murals” from his recent GNX album. His sets were marked by relentless energy—blistering verses, dramatic lighting, and moments of pyrotechnic spectacle. SZA entered with her signature blend of warmth and fantasy, rising on stage for a collaborative “30 for 30” and then shifting the mood with whimsical video gardens and a gigantic animatronic ant named Anthony for her solo performance of “Kitchen”. Throughout, the duo performed hits like “All the Stars” (from the Black Panther soundtrack), “LOVE,” “Family Ties,” and “Not Like Us,” as well as tracks from SZA’s SOS Deluxe: Lana.
Special guests added more excitement—Lizzo joined SZA for a remix of “Special,” bringing infectious energy and crowd participation on the first night. Lamar’s guest appearances, like AzCh for “Ekab,” kept fans on their toes, while surprise pop-up shops and exclusive merchandise offerings made every show unique.
Technical Brilliance and Stagecraft
The Grand National Tour at SoFi was a showcase of next-level production, seamlessly blending hip-hop grit with futuristic visuals. Kendrick’s stage was dominated by holographic graffiti and a “concrete wall” that split open for dramatic effect, while pyrotechnics and intricate lighting design added intensity throughout. SZA, in contrast, delivered performances above the crowd using harnesses and butterfly wings for “Nobody Gets Me,” cultivating a dreamlike quality in her segments. The interplay between their sets maintained high energy and audience engagement, with clever payoffs for fans—such as SZA’s playful praying mantis visuals for “Kill Bill” and Kendrick’s bookended choreography for tracks like “MUSTARD!”.
Highlights and Legacy
- Four consecutive sold-out nights drew nearly 150,000 fans, with record-breaking $40.4 million gross in ticket sales.
- SZA’s moments ranged from massive dance numbers to intimate conversations with the audience, including a memorable discussion about Los Angeles snack culture.
- Joint performances—especially “All the Stars”—leveraged rising platforms and stadium-wide light shows to create a sense of intimacy, even in a vast arena.
- Kendrick’s closing sequence, ending with “Not Like Us,” brought the entire stadium to its feet in a cathartic, euphoric finale.
Fan and Critical Reception
Critics hailed the tour for its inventive format, mutual respect between superstars, and infectious hometown spirit. Fans praised the flow of alternating sets, which kept the energy fresh and gave each artist space to shine. The chemistry between Kendrick and SZA was evident in both song and banter, producing moments of genuine friendship that softened the stadium’s vastness. Fans reported that each show felt immersive, communal, and deeply personal—a rare achievement at this scale.
Photo Gallery
Photo highlights from the Grand National Tour’s SoFi run:
- Kendrick Lamar igniting the stage in front of thousands, immersed in dazzling pyrotechnics and holographic graffiti.
- SZA floating above the audience, harnessed with butterfly wings, as fantastical garden visuals envelop the stadium.
- Fans and artists united, singing along, hands raised in the signature moment of “All the Stars”.
The New Standard for Stadium Tours
With its record-breaking revenue, innovative structure, and passionate artistry, Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Grand National Tour at SoFi Stadium is now considered one of the most successful co-headlining runs in hip-hop history, surpassing even megatours by Beyoncé & Jay-Z. For Lamar, SZA, and the city of Los Angeles, these nights redefined what is possible for rap and R&B at stadium scale—setting the pace for a new era in contemporary music.