In Could, Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar reintroduced themselves as “The Hillbillies,” a unusual pair of massive flexers (“One-hundred and fifty grams of protein,” Dot raps within the duo’s eponymous single) and even larger spenders who exhibit their lavish existence and Lamar’s embossed python sq. toe 3-inch heel cowboy boots in “The Hillbillies” music video. However the opening shot at L.A.’s Dodger Stadium and goofy cameo from Tyler, the Creator — who confirmed Camp Flog Gnaw would formally return this 12 months for the primary time because the pandemic on the finish of the clip — foreshadowed Saturday night time (Nov. 11), the place Lamar and Keem took over Flog Gnaw night time one’s headliner slot hillbilly fashion, in fact.
However Keem began off the night with a shock: He debuted the trailer for The Melodic Blue quick movie, starring him, Amandla Stenberg, Shakira Ja’Nai Paye and extra, that can premiere Dec. 5 on Amazon Prime Video. However the lead actor let “Savior – Interlude” play out like a film’s starting credit whereas sitting on the hood of an old-school black automotive, Lamar lounging within the entrance seat earlier than taking pictures the s— together with his child cousin within the black-and-white video that was projected on the stage’s center display screen.
After Lamar formally launched himself as “the OG Hillbilly” in a Beverly Hillbillies-inspired accent, the bombastic starting horns of “Household Ties” activated the viewers, with followers shaking off any exhaustion they’d sustained all through the day. Regardless of the contradictory opulence of his hillbilly aesthetic, Lamar opted for a classic brown sports activities jacket, white jersey, ripped denims and Timberland boots with small square-frame glasses. He’s already claimed the rap throne a very long time in the past — and he’s actually seemed the half earlier than, from sitting on an precise throne in his 2015 “King Kunta” music video to carrying a crown of [Tiffany & Co. diamond-encrusted] thorns at 2022 Glastonbury Festival. However his present apparel represented humble beginnings that may get flipped on their head.
However no sum of money on this planet might purchase the happiness skilled through the household reunion, which even projected the “Household Ties” cowl artwork — an outdated photograph of Lamar, Keem and their unidentifiable relations — onto the Camp Stage. But throughout Saturday night time’s efficiency, the passionate festival-goers discovered themselves within the image as a substitute. Lamar spoke to his youthful followers, a few of whom he estimated had been 9 or 10-years-old after they first found him, and guided them by way of his largest hits from his 2012 album good child, m.A.A.d metropolis, his 2017 album DAMN. and all of the necessities in between. If his music raised these children, then Lamar’s household was much more intensive than any photograph might ever present.
However his relationship with Keem is completely different as a result of it’s inside their DNA. With everybody flinging their arms within the air with reckless abandon, Lamar’s rousing efficiency of “Alright” was greater than only a powerful act to comply with — the set might’ve very completed proper then and there. However in between songs, he pleaded together with his cousin (whom he endearingly known as “nephew” earlier) to save lots of him from the “s—” music that’s being put out these days. Keem stepped as much as the plate and supplied a smorgasbord of his personal hits, together with his 2019 sleeper hit “Orange Soda,” his TikTok-fueled minimize “Misplaced Souls” from his 2021 debut album, The Melodic Blue, and his stirring characteristic on Kanye West‘s “Reward God” from Donda.
And what higher technique to end off their efficiency than with the stay debut of “The Hillbillies” — which earned a 2024 Grammy nomination for greatest rap efficiency simply the day earlier than the pageant — and having Tyler run again his music video cameo. Shuffling throughout the stage, the pageant’s chief curator felt like The Hillbillies’ long-lost cousin, his eccentric mannerisms being on par with these of Lamar and Keem’s because the trio entertained the viewers with their shenanigans. Watching two rap titans and one extremely promising rising star run across the stage felt like watching three children run across the neighborhood playground. Flog Gnaw is Tyler’s private playground in any case, the place creativeness is limitless. Followers would possibly’ve normally referred to Keem as “Two-Telephone Child Keem” and Lamar as “Dot,” “Oklama” or any one in every of his different infamous nicknames, however for that night time, they had been The Hillbillies.
Try the total set listing for The Hillbillies’ Camp Flog Gnaw headlining set beneath:
1. “Savior – Interlude”
2. “Household Ties”
3. “N95”
4. “A.D.H.D”
5. “Factor”
6. “Hooligan”
7. “Sincere”
8. “DNA.”
9. “Swimming Swimming pools (Drank)”
10. “Trademark USA”
11. “Misplaced Souls”
12. “m.A.A.d metropolis”
13. “Reward God”
14. “Humble”
15. “Orange Soda”
16. “16”
17. “Vary Brothers”
18. “Backseat Freestyle”
19. “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”
20. “Cash Timber”
21. “Alright”
22. “Vent”
23. “Savior”
24. “The Hillbillies”
