Kendrick Lamar Celebrates the West Coast in “The Pop Out”

by Taylor Marie Contarino

Over twenty-five West Coast artists gathered at the Kia Forum on Juneteenth to break the shackles of long-standing conflicts and become “One West.”

Kendrick Lamar performs center stage at “The Pop Out” (Christopher Polk/Billboard/Getty Images)

“The Pop Out” was certainly the place to be on Juneteenth, but at its core, the concert represented so much more than just good music and fun times with friends from all over.

Rap luminary Kendrick Lamar brought together over twenty five West Coast artists onto one stage that he referred to as “One West,” a symbol of hope, unity, and peace for a brighter future for the thriving West Coast arts and culture community. This one-off concert united over two dozen L.A. artists at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA.

“This is exactly how our fallen soldiers would want to see us,” explained Lamar, who’s recent “rap beef” with fellow musician, Drake, ironically set the foundation for a cultural renaissance that left many fans and viewers in a joyful shock. It is not every day that you see long-standing feuds take a back seat for the love of art and of community.

Lamar didn’t just bring musicians together - there is so much more to the picture than the music and visuals - Lamar encouraged members of prominent gangs from all over the city of Los Angeles to take centerstage. In this moment, old feuds seemed to dissipate for the love of “One West” in solidarity. 

An eclectic mix of Lamar’s fans join the artist on the concert stage (Amazon Music/Twitch)

Fans left the arena after hearing “Not Like Us” performed over five times with a celebratory feeling that dispersed all across the crowd. Smiles shone as fans rejoiced over their witnessing rap history in its most authentic form; a centering climax to a feud that left some fans previously divided.

This was no longer about who the “G.O.A.T” is. Instead, it became about how our “fallen soldiers” want to see our beloved musicians and artists. Listeners and music lovers all over left this experience hoping that love continues to prevail.

Here are some of the artists who Lamar brought together in the name of musical union: Tyler The Creator, Dr. Dre, YG, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Steve Lacy, Dom Kennedy, Tommy The Clown, Ty Dolla $ign, Roddy Ricch, ScHoolboy Q, Westside Boogie, OHGEESY, Kalan FrFr, & more.

Other special guests of The Pop Out included dancers who accompanied the infamous LA krumping talent and pioneer, Tommy The Clown, along with fellow dancers who came up on stage from the audience.

Lamar poses for a group photo with excited attendees (Armen Keleshian)

It was important to Lamar to show love to West Coasts artists of now, as well as those of the past. Halfway through the show, the arena lit up with lighters in honor of the late Nipsey Hussle, an icon of community solidarity in the city. Through this action, Lamar made sure that the crowd paid him the homage and respect that the late artist deserves.

Even if it only lasted for one evening, “The Pop Out” was a cultural renaissance with lasting cultural implications. It was not just a showcase of talent and musical passions that Los Angeles has to offer - it was a display of unity, pride, and solidarity - one that West Coasters and music lovers from all over hope will last a lifetime.