Kendrick Lamar knows how to put on a DAMN. good show. Armed with eight nominations, the hometown hero opened the MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. with an explosive medley.
As Pink, Logic, and Ellen DeGeneres looked on, Kung Fu Kenny kicked things off with a fire-filled rendition of “DNA.” which included a martial arts artist engulfed in flames. Then, he transitioned into a potent version of “HUMBLE.” as ninjas climbed a fire wall.
He won praise from his peers, including Chance the Rapper, who tweeted, “Kendrick forever the king.”
Thanks to the latter track, King Kendrick walked into The Forum this evening with eight nominations including Best Hip-Hop, Video of the Year, Best Cinematography, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, and Best Choreography.
This is just the latest highlight in an impressive year for the Compton star. His latest critically-acclaimed LP, the chart-topping DAMN. has been certified 2x platinum, while spawning smashes like “HUMBLE.,” “DNA.,” and “ELEMENT.”
Watch K-Dot’s MTV VMAs opening number below