Kendrick Lamar concluded his sensational The Pop Out — Ken & Friends Juneteenth concert at Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, June 19, by welcoming all of the night’s surprise performers — the “friends” in the billing — to dance while he ran through “Not Like Us,” his masterclass Drake diss track that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, five times in a row.
Below, check out all of those surprise performers from DJ Hed, Mustard, and Kendrick Lamar’s respective sets.
Here Are All Of The Surprise Performers From Kendrick Lamar’s ‘The Pop Out’ Concert
DJ Hed
Remble (“Touchable”)
Ray Vaughn (“Problems”)
Cuzzos (“Goldmembers”)
Rucci & AzChike (“Light It Up”)
Meet The Whoops (“Meet The Whoops”)
Wallie The Sensei (“03 Flow”)
Westside Boogie (“Silent Ride”)
Zoe Osama (“Underrated”)
Kalan.FrFr & G Perico (“Right Wit It”)
Bino Rideaux (“Bozo”)
BlueBucksClan (“Walkin’ In”)
RJMrLA (“Get Rich”)
OhGeesy (“Geekaleek”)
Jason Martin (“Like Whaaat”)
Tommy The Clown
Mustard
310babii (“Soak City [Do It]”)
Blxst (“Overrated” & “Chosen”)
Ty Dolla Sign (“Paranoid”)
Dom Kennedy (“My Type Of Party” & “When I Come Around”)
Steve Lacy (“Static” & “Bad Habit”)
Tyler The Creator (“WusYaName” & “Earfquake”)
Roddy Ricch (“Racks In The Middle,” “Die Young,” “The Box,” “Ballin’”)
YG (“BPT,” “My N****,” “You Broke,” “Toot It And Boot It,” “Who Do You Love?” & “Big Bank”)
Kendrick Lamar
Jay Rock (“Money Trees,” “Win,” “King’s Dead”)
Ab-Soul (“6:16 In LA”)
Schoolboy Q (“Collard Greens” & “THat Part”)
Dr. Dre (“Still D.R.E.” & “California Love”)
It was already a consensus opinion that Kendrick Lamar obliterated Drake when they exchanged diss tracks this spring. But just in case there were any doubt, Lamar delivered an epic knockout punch during his set at his The Pop Out — Ken & Friends Juneteenth concert at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Wednesday, June 19. First, Lamar opened his set by performing “Euphoria” live for the first time — adding a Tupac-related bar, to boot — but that paled in comparison to Lamar’s grand finale.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Compton rapper welcomed Dr. Dre to the stage. They performed “Still D.R.E.” and “California Love,” and that seemed to be that before Lamar stopped him from walking off the stage. “You ain’t gonna say nothin’ else before we continue to party?” Lamar asked. Dre said, “Psst, I see dead people,” thus beginning a relentless medley of Lamar performing “Not Like Us” five times in a row.
Eventually, Lamar was joined on stage by the guest performers from the night — plus DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook — and they all metaphorically danced on Drake’s grave. Still, Lamar paused between the fourth and fifth run through “Not Like Us” to emphasize that this Juneteenth concert was meant “for all of us to be together on stage” and display “united at its finest.” Lamar shouted out the late Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant and acknowledged, “We lost a lot of homies to this music sh*t, to this street sh*t.”
KENDRICK LAMAR DEMAR DEROZAN RUSSELL WESTBROOK & FRIENDS
“THIS SH*T MAKING ME EMOTIONAL. WE BEEN F*CKED UP SINCE NIPSEY DIED. WE BEEN F*CKED UP SINCE KOBE DIED.”
“THIS IS UNITY AT IT’S FINEST. WE DONE LOST A LOT OF HOMIES TO THIS MUSIC SH*T. TO THIS STREET SH*T. FOR ALL OF US TO BE TOGETHER ON… pic.twitter.com/O0c7tLa8Xd
Shaq is one of the all-time greatest athletes turned rappers, as the big man’s 1993 debut album, Shaq Diesel, went platinum. Shaq released four albums in total, and worked with some of the biggest producers and artists in hip-hop in the 90s.
However, there was one collaboration from a song he recorded with a West Coast legend while in Los Angeles with the Lakers that never saw the light of day. On a recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq had Ice Cube join him and they discussed a project Cube was executive producing for him while he was with the Lakers. Cube set it up for Shaq to get in the booth with Dr. Dre, and Shaq and Dre cooked up a song called “That’s Gangsta,” which Shaq thought “was nice.” Cube saw things a bit differently, and made the executive decision for Shaq to not let it ever see the light of day.
“Cube was executive producing one of my records,” Shaq said. “And he put me in the studio with Dr. Dre. I did a song called ‘That’s Gangsta’. Cube heard it and was like, ‘Nope. We’re not releasing this.’ … He was like, ‘Shaq, you’re a f*cking Laker, bro. I don’t want you talking about nothing gangsta. We not doing none of that sh*t.’ And it never came out.”
While Adam Lefkoe seemed to think it was because the song wasn’t good, Cube noted it had nothing to do with that. He was trying to protect Shaq’s image, noting the then-Lakers star didn’t need to present himself as being “gangsta” in L.A., as he had mass appeal already and didn’t need to try to put on that image.
“It was good. Shaq is a dope MC, but I just felt the record was off-brand for him,” Cube said. “Because, to me, he’s more than just gangsta. He’s loved by millions, loved by kids. He already established that. And why go backwards when you’re already forward?”
Shaq would go on to note he thanked Cube for making that decision for him, and it shows how much respect Ice Cube had for Shaq that he would think about Shaq’s overall career as a basketball player (and one of the NBA’s most marketable guys, ever) while executive producing an album. Players don’t always have someone willing to think of the bigger picture and tell them no, and in this case, Shaq had that in the form of a music legend in Cube.
Snoop Dogg’s new album with Dr. Dre is on the way. Daz Dillinger and Kurupt pulled up on Drink Champs and revealed the Missionary album’s date
“Dogg sacrificed ’cause he got an album dropping in July,” Kurupt said. “This album with Dr. Dre dropping in July.”
Dillinger added, “He got an album coming out next month with Dr. Dre.”
Last August, speaking on the project with From The Desk of Lo is The D.O.C., who revealed he would travel to L.A. to help finish the project and what fans would expect.
The D.O.C. reveals that his collaboration with, Snoop and Dre is long overdue, and they are focused on creating a great product. The album so far is a family reunion. “It sounds like what Snoop’s next record would’ve been like on Death Row, that’s what it sounds like.”
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have been the closest pals for decades on decades. The iconic pairing has released some of the best music in hip-hop, but also from the West Coast. Arguably their greatest accomplishment together was dropping Doggystyle, which is now over 30 years old. It featured some of the G-funk/gangsta/West Coast tracks of that decade, and even to this day. Soon, –actually very soon– Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre will further cement their chemistry and legacies when they release Missionary in July.
That is what Tha Dogg Pound told the good people over at Drink Champs in a recent interview. According to HipHopDX, Kurupt and Daz Dillinger let that information slip at the 14:33 mark of the video. “Dogg sacrificed ’cause he got an album dropping in July. This album with Dr. Dre dropping in July,” said Kurupt. Daz also added, “He got an album coming out next month with Dr. Dre”.
Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre Have Been Working On “Missionary” For A Bit
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have had Missionary in the works for quite some time now, so this latest update is massive. Uncle Snoop dropped the bombshell that this was happening nearly two years ago in an interview with Stephen A. Smith. During the October 2022 conversation, the multi-talent said, “I’ma tell you this, you’re the first one to hear this: me and Dr. Dre have been working on an album for the past two months… It’ll be done in November. It’s produced by Dr. Dre, it’s our 30th anniversary to Doggystyle. And the name of the album is Missionary“. He also mentioned that it was going to drop that November, but obviously we are still waiting. So, we will see if Tha Dogg Pound are telling the truth in due time.
What are your thoughts on Tha Dogg Pound confirming the release date of Missionary by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre? How do you feel about this being the “succeeding” project to Doggystyle? Do you think the duo will actually drop it in July? Does this have the potential to be one of the best records of 2024? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
In April 2024, Eminem announced he would release his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), in the summer. The announcement sparked excitement among the rapper’s fan base and marked his return four years after his last album, Music to be Murdered By. Eminem released his upcoming album’s lead single, “Houdini,” on May 31. “Houdini” showed Eminem remains the “Rap God” as he stayed true to his style. He stirred controversy with some of his lyrics, including his bars about Tory Lanez’s shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. Eminem also showed his creative genius as the song revived Steve Miller’s classic 1982 tune, “Abracadabra.”
“Houdini” took the internet by storm thanks to its catchy hook and lyrics, which brought back memories of Eminem’s Slim Shady era. The “My Name Is” and “Without Me” references are hard to miss. Eminem released the “Houdini” single alongside a music video and featured several celebrities, including Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Eminem’s children. Let’s explore all the celebrity cameos in Em’s latest music video.
The “Houdini” Music Video Plot
Eminem’s alter ego, the Real Slim Shady, is back. The “Houdini” music video shows how the blonde Slim Shady entered a portal in 2002 and found himself in today’s present world. Dr. Dre alerts Eminem about Shady’s presence, and they team up to take him down in true superhero style. However, before they get to Slim, he wreaks havoc across the city in his bid to cancel the present-day Eminem. Eventually, Em, dressed in the Rap Boy costume, meets Shady and engages in a battle. However, there is no victor as both merge to become a hybrid individual.
Eminem “Houdini” Video Celebrity Cameos: Paul Rosenburg
The “Houdini” video begins with Eminem’s longtime friend and manager, Paul Rosenburg, calling to tell him he heard the album and wishing him luck. Paul playfully states, “Hey Em, it’s Paul. I was listening to the album. Good f**king luck, you are on your own.”
Dr. Dre acts as one of the main characters in the “Houdini” video. He is the first to call Em to let him know Slim Shady has entered 2024 via a mysterious portal. He drives Eminem around the city to find the rampaging Slim Shady. At first, Dr. Dre and Eminem have a little fight in the car but get along just fine.
As Eminem’s “Houdini” video progressed to the chorus, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Westside Boogie, and Denaun Porter made cameos. The four rappers lined up in a book panel reacted to the news that Slim Shady was back in the city by singing “Guess Who’s Back.” The chorus offered a fresh version of “Without Me’s” evergreen hook, which Em paid homage to in “Houdini.”
While Dr. Dre and Eminem continue searching for the latter’s younger self, Slim Shady walks into an underground cipher. There, he meets producer and DJ Alan Daniel Maman, popularly known as The Alchemist. However, Slim Shady looks perplexed and disappointed with what he sees in the cipher but eventually steps into a circle.
Slim Shady’s quest for destruction sees him burst through a podcast room where he meets Shane Gillis and Royce da 5’9. Gillis and Royce are engaging in a discussion about who the best MC of all time is. Slim Shady becomes upset with the conversation and disrupts proceedings. He steals a microphone before flipping a table and exiting, leaving Royce and Shane terrified.
Jimmy Iovine
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Eminem, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre speak onstage at WSJ. Magazine 2014 Innovator Awards at Museum of Modern Art on November 5, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
After Eminem and Slim Shady engaged in a battle and fused, they became an unholy hybrid. The monster they create comprises the best and worst versions of Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers. The effect is that Eminem begins to diss his closest friends and family members. Eminem’s longtime friend and Interscope Geffen’s CEO, Jimmy Iovine, is one of the first casualties of the monster. Iovine appears in the “Houdini” video, looking confused and shocked as he listens to Marshall insulting him.
Eminem’s Three Kids Make Appearance In “Houdini” Video
Eminem’s three kids, Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie, were not spared from the onslaught. In the “Houdini” video, the trio was on a video call with their dad, who dissed them by rapping, “F**k my own kids, they are brats/They can screw off.” The rapper’s children reacted to his diss by opening their mouths in shock.
Pete Davidson is the last celebrity to appear in Eminem’s “Houdini” video. Dr. Dre, who had been driving Eminem through the city, gets uncomfortable after the hybrid Marshall insults him and others. Hence, he exits the vehicle, after which Pete shows up. The comedian sports a similar look to the hybrid Eminem. He has the same blonde haircut and wears an all-black ensemble. Pete gets into the yellow Lamborgini and sits in the driver’s seat. He tells Eminem, “Trust me, I’m a great driver. Don’t worry, I just got my license back.” However, that isn’t the case, as the video ends with Em and Pete crashing through other vehicles as they make their way through the city.
On this date three decades ago, Death Row Records producer and Dr. Dre’s brother Warren G dropped his debut album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’.
Executive produced by the late Chris Lighty, The Def Jam/Violator signee took his solo act on the road and brought it cross country to NYC to distinguish himself from the rest of his legendary peers from Death Row Records. The strategy worked, with the album being certified platinum by the RIAA two years following its release.
The album’s title track is by far the most memorable track from the album, however, another track entitled “So Many Ways” made it into the 1995 Martin Lawrence/Will Smith silver screen smash Bad Boys.
Salute to Warren G, the late Nate Dogg, the late Chris Lighty, Dr. Dre, the Violator squad and Def Jam for this timeless piece of Hip Hop History!
Eminem is back in Slim Shady mode. There are lots of different ways to tell. For one, the rapper’s new album will be called The Death of Slim Shady. The music video for his lead single, “Houdini,” features the classic, bleach blond Slim in action. The most telling side effect of a Slim Shady sighting, however, is the lyrical insult. Eminem’s alter ego loves to take shots at his peers, his predecessors, and pretty much any other person he can think of. He targets multiple people in “Houdini,” but the most notable is far and away Megan Thee Stallion.
Eminem turned the zaniness up to ten on the new single. He tells Dr. Dre to “f*ck off,” and does to the same to his children (one of whom just got married). Both Dre and his family are been topics of scorn and adoration over the years, however. Megan Thee Stallion is someone new. The rapper flipped a line about scoring a guest verse from Megan into a double entendre about Tory Lanez shooting her in the foot. “If I was to ask for Megan Thee (What?) Stallion if she would collab with me,” he raps. “Would I really have a shot at a feat? (Haha). I don’t know, but I’m glad to be back like.”
It’s a clever turn of phrase, but a topic that has not been received by the hip-hop community. Rappers who have poked fun at Megan Thee Stallion have either been scored by fans or Megan herself, in the form of a diss. Megan managed to win her battle with Nicki Minaj while dropping a number one single, “HISS,” in the process. The diss song, which dropped in January, is actually relevant to the current Em situation. Megan Thee Stallion made an oblique reference to Slim Shady on “HISS.” “I feel like Mariah Carey (Mariah Carey),” she rapped. “Got these n**has so obsessed (Damn).”
The line is meant to address Megan’s haters, but it’s also a reference to the 2008 Mariah Carey diss song “Obsessed.” The target of Mimi’s diss was, infamously, Eminem. The tension between the pop superstar and the rapper ran throughout the 2000s, and many feel like the former won out with a hit single. Eminem dissing Megan Thee Stallion over a subliminal actually makes a lot of sense. Eminem knows how to hold a grudge against rappers who slight him. He waited years to respond to MGK on record, and when he did, he demolished the pop-punk artist. It’ll be interesting to see if Megan Thee Stallion decides to respond.
Eminem has a lot riding on this. The legendary rapper has been hyping up the release of his new album, The Death of Slim Shady. Like, a lot. He’s dropped fake obituaries, fake TV promos featuring 50 Cent, and he announced this new single, “Houdini,” with the help of magician David Blaine. Eminem is pulling out all the stops on this one, which only emphasizes the feeling that this is the end of the line. For Slim Shady, definitely, but perhaps even for Eminem. “Houdini” is definitely a throwback to the glory days.
The song was predicted by many to be a zany Eminem single in the vein of “The Real Slim Shady” or “Without Me,” and is it ever. “Houdini” recycles the chorus of the latter before jumping into the first verse. There’s even a cameo from Paul Rosenberg, who graced many an interlude during Eminem’s golden age. The beat is bouncy and playful and the rapper is very much in Shady mode. He takes aim at everybody in his life, including Dr. Dre, the aforementioned Paul, and even his own kids. “You can suck my d*ck, in fact,” he raps. “F*ck them, f*ck Dre, f*ck Jimmy, f*ck me, f*ck you, f*ck my own kids, they’re brats.”
Eminem’s ability to rhyme is still unrivaled. Those who wanted the “real” Slim Shady have gotten him on this track, as this is the silliest he’s sounded since 2009’s Relapse. The thing is, the effort is audible. Em is very clearly trying to give fans the old him, and it doesn’t have the punch that it used to. “Houdini” is a song that sounds like a rapper trying to recapture his glory days, because it is. The music video even pits the current version of Em versus the bleach blond Shady. Those who live the rapper will like it, but this is not the kind of song that wins over new fans. This is nostalgia rap, for better or worse.
What are your thoughts on “Houdini” by Eminem? Is this the rapper truly back? Does he recapture the Slim Shady magic? Does this song make you more excited for the album? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Eminem. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
My sh*t may not be age-appropriate But I will hit an eight year old in the face with a participation trophy ‘Cause I have zero doubts, that this whole world’s ’bouts to turn into some girl scouts That censorship bureau’s out to shut me down So when I started this verse, it did start off lighthearted first But it feels like I’m targeted, mind-bogglin’ how my profit has skyrocketed
LIVE AT THE FORUM
Megan Thee Stallion Fans Rally Behind Her Amid AI Sex Tape Scandal, She Gets Emotional Onstage
