On May 17, 2025, Seattle wasn’t just drenched in rain—it was drenched in greatness. Kendrick Lamar and SZA brought their Grand National Tour to Lumen Field for what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most iconic concerts in the city’s history. The skies opened up, the bass dropped, and 60,941 fans stood shoulder to shoulder in a downpour to witness two generational talents at the peak of their powers.
And in true Kendrick fashion, the night shattered records. With $14.8 million in revenue, the Seattle stop became the highest-grossing hip-hop concert of all time, breaking Lamar’s own record set just weeks earlier. Rain? What rain?
A Legendary Setup
Even before the first beat dropped, DJ Mustard was on deck warming up the soaked but electric crowd with a set full of nostalgia and bangers, including Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” The moment was surreal—drenched fans dancing in the stands, completely unfazed by the elements.
Then the lights dimmed, the speakers roared to life, and Kendrick Lamar drove onto the stage in a cloud of smoke. Moments later, SZA joined him—and the magic began.
When Icons Collide
The chemistry between Kendrick and SZA is undeniable. Longtime collaborators and TDE family, their bond was on full display throughout the night. Trading off performances, transitioning with interview-style interludes, and reuniting on stage for fan-favorite collabs, the set was a masterclass in musical storytelling.
Kendrick delivered hits like:
- “King Kunta”
- “DNA.”
- “Money Trees”
- “HUMBLE.”
- “Not Like Us”
While SZA lit up the stage with:
- “Kill Bill”
- “Saturn”
- “F2F”
- “Blind”
- “The Weekend”
Their joint performances of “All The Stars,” “Doves In The Wind,” “gloria,” and new fan-favorite “30 For 30” were nothing short of euphoric. Lasers pierced the sky. Fireworks exploded above the stadium. And the Seattle rain? It only added to the cinematic grandeur of it all. As SZA put it mid-set, “Y’all got a special energy to be in the rain and turned up like this.”
@cosplaysbyshinobi Kendrick x SZA #kendricklamar #sza #notlikeus
The Moment Seattle Became Hip-Hop’s Capital
Beyond the music, what happened at Lumen Field was historic. Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to gross over $9 million from a single show—twice. The Seattle show’s $14.8 million haul overtook his previous record at AT&T Stadium, and left the old benchmark (held by Eminem in 2019) in the dust.
The Grand National Tour has become more than just a concert series—it’s a cultural phenomenon. With special guests like Justin Bieber appearing throughout the tour, and an unforgettable Super Bowl performance already under his belt, Kendrick is having a year for the ages. Add in SZA’s SOS Deluxe: Lana reissue and her sky-high vocals, and it’s clear: we’re watching icons in real time.
A Night We’ll Never Forget
Seattle has always prided itself on showing up—rain or shine—and May 17 was no exception. For more than three hours, the city gave back the energy Lamar and SZA poured onto the stage. Drenched in rain but lifted by music, it felt less like a concert and more like a shared cultural experience.
As the final notes rang out and Lamar climbed back into the car he arrived in, he looked back at the crowd and said, “We’ll be back.”
Seattle will be waiting.
Setlist Highlights
(Partial list — because honestly, they gave us everything)
- Kendrick Lamar: “DNA.” / “King Kunta” / “Not Like Us” / “LOYALTY.” / “HUMBLE.”
- SZA: “Kill Bill” / “F2F” / “Saturn” / “The Weekend” / “Good Days”
- Joint Performances: “All The Stars” / “Doves In The Wind” / “gloria” / “30 For 30”
Final Thoughts:
In a city known for its rain and resilience, Kendrick Lamar and SZA delivered a night that was nothing short of legendary. A show that was record-breaking, soul-shaking, and utterly unforgettable. The Grand National Tour isn’t just a tour—it’s a movement. And on May 17, Seattle was its beating heart.
Written by a still-soaked, still-grinning fan.