Kendrick Lamar performed at the Grammy Awards Monday night and many were worried it was going to “piss off the nation.”
The 28-year-old rapper came out on stage in handcuffs to his song “The Blacker the Berry” and ended the performance standing in front of a map of Africa with the word “Compton” written across it.
(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS)
In an interview leading up to the awards show, LL Cool J said the performance was going to be “controversial.” (RELATED: Ciara Showed Off Everything When She Wore This Unbelievably Revealing Dress)
“Kendrick Lamar’s gonna do something very controversial,” LL Cool J said. “And that’s what art is about, right? It’s not about whether you agree or disagree. It’s about it stimulating conversation and provoking people to have conversations about society.”
“And if that’s what you want your art to do as an artist, if that’s the lane you choose, you’re accomplishing something if people talk about what you’re doing. So, it’s gonna be amazing.”
Lamar’s fans on Twitter warned that his performance was going to “piss off the nation.”
Kendrick is about to piss off the nation pic.twitter.com/r5EgyW7RoK
— adna (@Adna_xoxo) February 14, 2016
That's right Kendrick Lamar ! Piss the nation off
— Miss Julie (@ExcuseMiiTweets) February 16, 2016
kendrick lamar says his performance will piss off the nation oh man oh man oh man I'm ready
— andrea (@anchsa) February 16, 2016
Earlier in the night, the White House congratulated Lamar on Twitter for winning Best Rap Album. (RELATED: People Are Losing Their Minds Over The Way Taylor Swift Wore Her Hair Tonight)
Shoutout to @KendrickLamar and all the artists at the #Grammys working to build a brighter future. #MyBrothersKeeper https://t.co/XM0KwV3jNB
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 16, 2016