Kendrick Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us” has catapulted the Compton rapper to new heights, fueling a wave of critical acclaim, chart dominance, and a record-shattering tour alongside SZA.

The track, which spent over a year on the Billboard Hot 100, exemplifies Lamar’s signature authenticity, fearless storytelling, and refusal to follow industry trends, qualities that have made him a cultural icon with a devoted global fan base.

Now, Lamar’s Grand National Tour with SZA is rewriting the rules of rap tours. Their recent performance in Seattle grossed a staggering $14.8 million, making Lamar the first rapper to earn over $14 million in a single show. Nearly 61,000 fans attended, surpassing his previous record set in Dallas. Meanwhile, “Luther,” his chart-topping collaboration with SZA, held the No. 1 spot for 13 weeks, becoming the longest-charting Hip Hop No. 1 in history.

In a surprising shift, Lamar has taken a backseat on this co-headlining tour, ceding stage time and spotlight to SZA, allowing her elaborate staging and space to shine. Their creative chemistry has sparked fan speculation about a future joint project. Lamar’s evolution from rap king to collaborative visionary cements his place as a transformative force in music.