Kendrick Lamar Makes Surprise Appearance With Clipse In L.A.

Clipse’s Pusha T and No Malice at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia in June 2025 (photo: Taylor Hill / Getty Images for Live Nation Urban).

During a break between the European leg of his Grand National tour with SZA and the Sept. 23 Mexico City launch of a South American segment, Kendrick Lamar dazzled the audience at Los Angeles venue Novo last night (Aug. 23) by joining rap duo Clipse for the first song of their show.

Pusha and No Malice had already begun performing “Chains & Whips,” the studio version of which features Lamar, when the artist himself emerged from the back of the stage to rhyme his verse. Afterward, he took a moment to salute the influence of Clipse, whose recent album, Let God Sort Em Out, was their first in nearly 16 years.

“This is our home city,” he said. “It’s such a privilege to be in front of motheruckin’ legends, man. I’ma be out there watching with y’all.. These are my motherfuckin’ people from day one. Love y’all.”

Clipse are on a North American tour in support of Let Got Sort Em Out through Sept. 11 in Baltimore. European dates are on tap beginning Nov. 5 in Tilburg, Netherlands.

Watch fan-shot footage of the Clipse/Lamar performance below.