Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank)

So I saw Kendrick Lamar at the Neptune Theater in Seattle this past Sunday. This was a dream day as I went to the Seahawks game against the New England Patriots earlier. The game was absolutely unreal, a definite game of the year candidate for the NFL as well as probably the best sporting event that I have ever been to. But more on that later, for now it is all about Mr. Lamar. 

Kendrick Lamar is an up-and-coming rapper and protege of Dr. Dre. He's one of those guys who when I told people I was seeing him most just went "oh yeah, cool", clearly having no idea who he was, but then some were completely jealous and stoked for me and couldn't believe I was seeing him (his current tour did/does not stop in Canada and he's never played in Vancouver). Kendrick has a few mix tapes out, including the incredible Section.80 (download/listen to it now!) and is set to release his major label debut next week. 

"Swimming Pools" (Drank) is from that upcoming album, good kid, m.A.A.d city and, along with singles "The Recipe" and "Compton" (both featuring Dr. Dre), stands along his best stuff from the earlier mixtapes. It has one of his best hooks and just some insane rapping. I love when he gets into his mind and starts the more high pitched, crazy style of rapping. 

This was also his best song at the show. He played the whole song (often at hip-hop shows they cut off when some featured guy who isn't there raps, or just cut it off to get to another track) to close the set and just killed it, rapping most of the verses like a man possessed. Throughout the show he rapped key verses brilliantly and had great stage presence. But the best things he did involved crowd engagement, getting the crowd to chant out various parts of his songs, such as the "Drank" part of "Swimming Pools" and the "Fuck Thats" of "A.D.H.D". He even let the crowd call out a song they wanted to hear, which ended up being "Tammy's Song". Other highlights included "The Recipe" in which he also did the Dre verse and crushed it, "P&P 1.5", "Blow My High", and an insane version of "The Spiteful Chant". This one has one of the most intense and badass beats of any rap song and the greatest chorus "I'm goin' big, suck my dick". The crowd was definitely singing along to that one. I was very stoked that he played it because I had seen some earlier set lists where he didn't play it. The venue was cool with an intimate atmosphere and great sound. Also opener Ab-Soul was solid though I was more interested in my rum at the time lol.

Kendrick Lamar - "The Spiteful Chant (feat. ScHoolBoy Q)"

Here's "The Spiteful Chant (feat. ScHoolBoy Q)", an absolute classic among my crew that always gets the party going. It was one of the first Kendrick songs that I heard by him and I still remember the first time, in my buddy's car. and it absolutely blew me away. So fucking good. If you don't like this song then "You actin' like a Ho, bitch suck my dick!"

So the Seahawks/Patriots game was absolutely insane. The Seahawks came back from 10 points late in the fourth quarter to win a thriller 24-23. They intercepted the ball twice in the red zone and scored some insane TDs on long bombs. Then they stuffed Brady and one of the league's best offences with a little over a minute left and more then enough time for one of the greatest QBs ever to move into field goal range. Here are the top 5 reasons why you need to get your ass to a Seahawks game:

1.) The 12th Man - There are 11 players on the field but there is a 12th in the stands. Century Link field was designed to be loud and Holy Fuck does it ever get loud. Every single team the 'Hawks D is on the field you are not able to hear yourself think, and neither can the QB. This is why we're 3-0 at home so far and have defeated 3 elite quarterbacks in Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Tony Romo. Get a good grip on your beer cuz it'll be rumbling and don't forget that after possibly the greatest running TD of all time by Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch 2 years ago in the playoffs there was a minor tremor just outside the stadium caused by the roars!

2.) The Stadium - Century Link Field is absolutely gorgeous and just looks so cool. It is very well designed and any sideline seat (only place I've sat thus far in 3 games) offers an insane view. Just this past game we were absolute last row, QQ, on the 15 yard line and it was still fucking insane. Also prices are relatively reasonable for tickets, food, and beer.

3.) The Pre-Game - One of the best things about "Hawks games (well going to any afternoon game in general) is getting morning drunk and watching the early football games. The main street by the stadium, King Street, is just packed with bars and drunken fans getting ready for the big game. We always start out at the double bar where you can get tall boys for $3 and $7 jagger bombs and stand outside with everyone. Oh fuck yeah. But this year their TV broke so we went down the street to another bar with huge TVs... but more expensive booze... guess you get what you pay for lol. Then even the walk to the stadium is dope as everyone is going inside and is so fucking pumped.

4.) Russell Wilson - The Seahawks' rookie QB is actually looking like the real deal. This season alone he has outdueled Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, and Tony Romo. Yes the 'Hawks have a superb defense and a beast mode RB. But holy shit the kid can play. He went deep several times, connecting with the 32nd ranked receiving team!?!?! He also went on some incredible, scrambling runs for key first downs, usually on 3rd and long. Some may say he's too short, and maybe he is, but for now at least he is the "Hawks starter until injury or a string of brutal games. (Remember he beat out the big free agent off season signing, Matt Flynn, for the starting job in the preseason.

5.) Garlic Fries - They're fucking epic, 'nuff said.