Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kendrick Lamar halts performance mid-song after white fan he invited onstage says N-word

Woman appeared confused by Lamar's decision to stop performance of 'M.A.A.D City', saying: 'Am I not cool enough for you? What's up bro? What's up?' 

Ilana Kaplan
Monday 21 May 2018 15:41 EDT
Comments
(Getty Images for NARAS)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kendrick Lamar halted a live performance in the middle of a song after a white fan he had invited onstage repeatedly used the N-word.

The rapper - who was performing his hit 'M.A.A.D City' at Hangout Festival on Sunday night - had invited a white, female fan called Delaney onto the stage with him, but interrupted her after she repeatedly used the N-word during the track.

During the Alabama festival, the Lamar stopped the music when he heard the fan rap the racial slur, which features in the track's lyrics, multiple times.

When the music stopped, Delaney asked: "Aren't I cool enough for you? What's up, bro?"

The audience booed the fan after hearing her rap the racial slur three times.

Lamar proceeded to say "you got to bleep one single word, though," referring to the fan's use of the N-word.

The fan replied, suggesting it was an absentminded mistake: "Oh, I’m sorry. Did I do it? I’m so sorry… I’m used to singing it like you wrote it."

Lamar then gave the fan an opportunity to redeem herself by letting her continue rapping and also censor herself.

The 30-year-old's performance comes one month after he won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his 2017 album DAMN. Lamar's win was the first for a non-jazz or classical artist.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in