Saturday Night: Kendrick Lamar at Warehouse Live

By Altamese Osborne Mon., Dec. 31 2012 at 9:00 AM

Categories: Aftermath, Live Shots

Continued from page 1

"Third test."

The last was a two-for-one final exam: "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" and "The Spiteful Chant," featuring Schoolboy Q. (The Schoolboy was not present, unfortunately.)

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is a Compton-born rapper, respected for a string of lyrically superior mixtapes and appearances alongside The Game, Jay Rock and Tech N9ne -- under the moniker K-Dot. He is most respected for grabbing the attention of Dr. Dre and signing to the hip-hop legend's Aftermath Entertainment record label.

With his first major-label album release, good kid, m.A.A.d city, Lamar is now enjoying mainstream recognition. After they successfully passed the preliminary exam, Lamar finally felt comfortable enough to share with his fans the live contents of thit newest release -- though he didn't think they were quite ready to be quizzed on its contents.

"It's fairly new, so I don't know if you even like it," Lamar teased.

Indeed, the crowd did like it, mouthing along to favorites like "Money Trees" and "Backseat Freestyle."

"I see y'all fuck with that shit just a little bit," said Lamar.

"What you mean, just a little bit?" shouted a diehard fan.

It's apparent no further testing was needed. Pass.

Overall Bias: Kendrick Lamar is awesome, ya bish. (Read: "Money Trees.")

The Crowd: A homogenized grouping of twentysomethings all decked out in pullovers, skinny jeans and Nike tennis shoes. Lamar was decked out in the same.

Overheard In the Crowd: "That's a fucking performance," said someone behind us, noting Lamar's effortless ability to keep the crowd excited and engaged from beginning to end. There were no lulls whatsoever.

Random Notebook Dump: Have you ever had a near-sex experience at a concert? I have; Warehouse Live was packed beyond breathable limits. Besides the inevitable jostles for front spots and fights that broke out because of them, hot beats spun by DJ Mr. Rogers turned the crowd into a thrusting throng, and who had the bad fortune of being lodged in front of a sweaty, 300-pound hip thruster? This girl. I'm still having nightmares.

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