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Popular DJ Narrates How Kendrick Lamar Was Paid Only $500 To Perform In 2010

BY JO Mensah June 26, 2024 12:38 AM EDT
Kendrick Lamar and DJ Hed
Kendrick Lamar and DJ Hed Photo source: YouTube/@hiphopdx

In an episode of The Bigger Picture, DJ Hed shared an anecdote highlighting Kendrick Lamar’s humble beginnings in the music industry.

Back in 2010, faced with a promoter unable to afford Jay Rock’s fee, DJ Hed negotiated a bargain $500 performance with a hungry Kendrick Lamar, who eagerly accepted despite the financial struggle of touring life.

From those modest early days, Kendrick Lamar’s career trajectory has soared dramatically. His recent Pop Out concert in Los Angeles, featuring a star-studded lineup including ScHoolboy Q and Dr. Dre, underscored his evolution from performing for a mere $500 to commanding stages worldwide.

Kendrick’s journey to stardom includes monumental achievements such as his record-breaking The Big Steppers Tour, which grossed a staggering $110.9 million from nearly a million tickets across 73 shows. Although later surpassed, this tour solidified his status as a powerhouse in the hip-hop industry.

The Los Angeles concert showcased Kendrick Lamar’s musical prowess and commitment to community and unity. Addressing the audience emotionally, he emphasized the need for unity after tragic losses like Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant, making a poignant call for peace and solidarity among LA’s diverse communities.

Kendrick Lamar’s early career was marked by challenges and experiences that shaped his artistry. Born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, he grew up in a neighborhood plagued by gang violence and socioeconomic difficulties. Despite these odds, Kendrick found solace and inspiration in music from a young age.

Rapper shares Kendrick Lamar’s reaction to Drake diss

Meanwhile, rapper Problem, also known as Jason Martin, spilt the beans on Kendrick Lamar’s fiery response to Drake’s diss track Family Matters.

Problem revealed that he texted Kendrick when Drake’s song dropped, urging him to respond. Kendrick, it seems, was more than ready. Kendrick quickly retaliated, saying that by the time he returned from a brief bathroom break, Lamar’s scathing reply, Meet the Grahams, was already live.

According to Problem, the rapper had been waiting for this moment, biding his time for Drake to make a move. He detailed how Kendrick Lamar was unfazed by the Canadian rapper’s efforts, stating that Drake did not realize the hornet’s nest he had kicked. Problem emphasized the urgency and intensity of Kendrick’s response, reflecting the high stakes in this hip-hop feud.

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