In what might become one of the most talked-about Fuji Rock performances in recent years, Kendrick Lamar’s go on the Green Stage Saturday showcased a genius at work and a masterfully produced stage show.

The timing of such a performance was a huge contributing factor to its importance, with Lamar being recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize, as well as the current situation of increased racial tension in America, a message that is deeply embedded in the roots of his current and previous albums. All this, with a typhoon looming overhead, managing to add further elements of tension and dramatic effect to the performance.

Pulling from all corners of his material but keeping each and every song fresh with altered details, the performance connected with fans on all levels, even adding Travis scott and Schoolboy Q covers which added spice to the setlist.

Presented in a linear story-like manner, the set opened with a video intro, with Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and the final epilogue separated by 70s-kung fu B-movie inspired interludes. Lamar bounced though pretty much every track that everyone wanted to hear, pleasing both long-time fans and first-timers alike.

We got the raw storytelling of ‘m.A.A.d city’-era Kendrick, the funk and catchiness of ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’-era Kendrick, and the complex and varied hits from DAMN.

Pacing was key in the set, as big hits were sandwiched between calmer numbers, with YAH. bringing out a dancer to captivate crowds, giving Lamar a well-deserved break from the action before launching into the rowdy ‘King Kunta’.

All said and done, Lamar crafted an unprecedented performance for the festival, one that will surely go down in the history books for Fuji Rock and remain in the memory of this year’s festival goers for a long time coming.

Set List:

Kung-Fu Kenny Part I (Intro)
DNA.
ELEMENT.
YAH. (Instrumental)
King Kunta
Big Shot (Kendrick Lamar & Travis Scott Cover)
Goosebumps (Travis Scott Cover)
Collard Greens (Schoolboy Q Cover)
Swimming Pools (Drank)
Backseat Freestyle
LOYALTY. Ft. RIHANNA
Money Trees
Kung-Fu Kenny Part II (Interlude)
XXX. Ft. U 2
m.A.A.d city
LOVE. Ft. Zacari
Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
Alright
Kung-Fu Kenny Part III (Interlude)
HUMBLE.

Encore:

All The Stars (with SZA)