Mustarrrdddd! Is the only thing you hear in the sold-out Soldier Field stadium as we go crazy over Kendrick Lamar’s latest music. Since 2024, the Kendrick and Drake rap battle has taken the world by storm. Kendrick has clearly been the winner since dropping the juggernaut “They Not Like Us” record. I watched closely as the whole back-and-forth played out right before my very eyes. Then Kendrick dropped his highly acclaimed GNX album. Some of my favorite songs from his catalog are “Squabble Up”, “TV Off”, and “Hey Now”.
Kendrick’s NFL Halftime Show & The GNX Tour
Listening to the album, sonically and lyrically, Kendrick pushed the envelope and took several risks, which I admired. Then after, came his record-breaking NFL halftime show where 133.5 million viewers tuned in, including myself.
The opening of the show starts with Kendrick rapping his “Body For Body” intro on top of the old school Buick GNX muscle car. Then he goes into an explosive 13-minute performance, with Uncle Sam, aka Samuel L. Jackson keeping score and tennis star Serena Williams crip walking. The production of the half-time show was unlike any other. Kendrick was lock in step with his dancers, and he covered his other big hits like “Euphoria” and “Peekaboo” with the dance going viral on TikTok.
After watching Kendrick for the NFL halftime show and his Amazon concert The Pop Out: Ken & Friends, I knew I needed to see him on tour. To top it off, he also won a Grammy for “They Not Like Us” being record of the year.
Soon after Kendrick announced his world tour with SZA and my cousin immediately got tickets for my brother and I to go. I was elated to fly to see him in Chicago and knew I needed to get a GNX tour outfit together for the show.
Hot Topic & Levi’s
Just like Kendrick, I wanted to push the boundaries when it came to my fashion for the concert. I began researching online for some T-shirts to wear, but couldn’t find anything I liked until I searched for “GNX shirts”. What popped up was the perfect top from Hot Topic. I discovered a men’s shirt with the Buick GNX name in bold letters on the front and the car right below it. On the back, it says Grand National with the race flag next to it. I felt that this was so unique, but still relevant to the tour, and would be a statement piece. I paired it with my classic distressed 501 Levi’s shorts in a light wash for a cute summer flair look.
Classic Converse & Cherry Cola Lips
For my GNX Tour outfit, I had to find the perfect shoe that would be homage to West Coast culture and of course, I landed on Converse. West Coast rappers like Snoop Dogg, YG, Nipsey Hussle, and OT Genasis have all been seen wearing the classic Chuck Taylors. From concerts on stage to courtside at the Lakers games, these artists have brought the iconic shoe to the forefront. When it comes to film, in the comedy movie Friday, Chris Tucker as Smokey wears low-top blue Chucks to match his shirt and khakis. Chuck Taylors have even been embedded into gang culture with many Latinos, Bloods, and Crips wearing the All-Star shoe.
West Coast Culture & Chucks
I recently saw that Converse was bringing back their knee-high Chucks, which were super popular in the early 2000s. They were the go-to shoe for fashionistas who were into the punk/rock gothic style. I found these all white knee-high Chucks on sale for $30 at the outlet and knew it would go well with my outfit. It felt so nostalgic because I haven’t worn Chuck Taylors since middle school.
The knee-high All-Stars lace up in the front with a pull-up zipper in the back that can accommodate a wide calf. These are comfortable to walk in and definitely make a statement.
In the spirit of paying respects to the West Coast, I accessorized my outfit with this Levi’s mini tote desert bag. California has several desert regions, and I felt this was another unique fashion touch to add to my GNX Tour outfit. The tote comes in a light blue wash with the desert landscape embroidered on the front.
This bag is big enough to fit my wallet, Sony camera, and lipstick for the concert, but still small enough to take into the Soldier Field venue. For the makeup, I went with a soft luminous look and a bold lip. I used my It Cosmetics dual-ended brush to apply my Armani Luminous Silk foundation in shade 13 onto my face. Then I concealed, added my powders and blush, and then worked to perfect my cherry cola lip combo. I started outlining my cupid’s bow with the classic MAC Cosmetics lip liner in their best-selling shade Chestnut.
Makeup & Concert
Chestnut is a beautiful brown color that looks good on all skin tones. I like to take my time when drawing and blending out my liner. Then I apply MAC’s retromatte lipstick in shade Ruby Woo to the center of my lips. This is one of my favorite lipsticks and a top seller for MAC. This is a deep red color with a comfortable matte finish.
I set my face and head over to the stadium with my family. A sea of people fill the seats as we wait for Kendrick to come out. The Buick GNX car rises to the top of the stage, and Kendrick and his dancers hop out as he starts to rap. For the next three hours, SZA and Kendrick put on a spectacular show.
SZA incorporates nature in her sets, singing on a giant grasshopper with her dancers on stilts walking in grasshopper costumes. The forest backdrop feels whimsical as she does a solo with her guitarist rocking the crowd.
Kendrick’s set feels more gritty and poetic with that West Coast flair infused. Rapping some of his top hits, his dancers march to the beat as he makes his way center stage. The set list was top-notch from both of the previous longtime TDE stars, along with the seamless transitions and storytelling. As the concert comes to a close, Kendrick finishes with “They Not Like Us” with all of us screaming A-minor and him and SZA doing “Luther” as they wave goodbye, getting into the GNX. Attending this tour was well worth the money and an experience I’ll never forget.
