Mr. Morale on Stage: Kendrick Lamar in Nashville

Something that was not on my Bingo card for 2022: Kendrick Lamar pausing his show to get a COVID-19 nasal swab test in front of several thousand concert goers, then entering into an incredible rendition of "Alright".

I wish I could say that seeing a cotton swab shoved up the nose of one of my idols was the most surreal part of my experience in Nashville, but there wasn't a moment I wasn't in awe of the spectacle. I found out just yesterday that Nashville-resident and country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves was hovering just above the pit. Wild stuff.

There, as floor-to-ceiling white curtains parted to choreographed dancers, rose Kendrick himself, seated at a piano with a puppet-sized version of his likeness. The pair performed Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' emotional album opener, "United in Grief", their images split across two different jumbotrons on either side of the stage.

What proceeded was a nonstop, energetic and passionate performance of Kendrick's discography from good kid to To Pimp A Butterfly and DAMN. He occasionally  and oddly censored himself on songs, notably "I cut a white sitch" on "Worldwide Steppers," then again on "HUMBLE." across the whole track.

As the concert preceded, so too did a voiceover of a therapist session, held with a woman, not Eckhart Tolle who graces the interludes of Mr. Morale. On the third section of the stage, deepest into the middle of the arena, hung a plastic hazmat cube, which lowered for Kendrick's impromptu COVID test.

credit: u/ThaRealestESG from Reddit

Towards the concluding act of the show, at the opening notes of "Mirror," Kendrick's containment cube begins to crawl into the air, revealing a mirror on the lift that reflects the crowd's faces as it rises. When it reaches its peak, Kendrick sings "I chose me, I'm sorry," the undeniably heart-breaking mantra that encapsulates his mission statement during this album rollout and subsequent tour: he is not our savior. Instead, the crowd must look back at themselves for fulfillment, finding passionate smiles and enraptured movement.

Kendrick has put himself, his mental health, on a pedestal in this song, and is reminding audience that this new approach to life isn't short-lived. And from there, Kendrick visited his most me-centered songs from Morale, like "Savior" and the titular track. He raps alongside Rihanna's backing-track from DAMN.-cut "LOYALTY." Baby Keem comes back onstage for the epic "family ties", and Kodak Black's verse is notably left off of "Silent Hill." 

As for Kendrick's appearance, you didn't need to be eagle-eyed to recognize his tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Dressed in a double-breasted suit, down to the sparkled glove, coincidentally on the opposite hand, it was reminiscent of many a Jackson outfit. He's not the first rapper to draw comparisons between themselves and Jackson (see [REDACTED] and his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, as well as Drake and his awful song from Scorpion). Nor will he be the last -- heck, this isn't first time he did it this year, as he was dressed similarly at the Super Bowl. Missing from his attire was his very impressive iced-out crown of thorns, seen on the cover of Mr. Morale, as well as some live festival appearances before beginning the Big Steppers Tour.

As the lights warmed up and the crowd was ready to head for the exits, Kendrick thanked them, smiling ear to ear. He has become a picture of a mentally healthy Black man in America, attempting to spread that healthiness to his fan base. He may no longer be our savior, but if we are to mirror his actions, then he is intent on  becoming a picture perfect looking glass.

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In the comments, rate on a scale of 1-to-death how hungover I was yesterday. I'll do something funny if you do. Gotta go cry some more over this concert experience, brb.

- Ritter