Kendrick Lamar's Historical Opening Night of Grand National Tour

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour is off to a blazing start — and already making history.

On opening night in Minneapolis, Kendrick shattered Eminem’s previous record for the highest-grossing rap concert of all time. According to Touring Data, Kendrick pulled in over $9.1 million from more than 47,000 fans, with tickets averaging around $192.70 each. That’s a monumental feat, marking the first time a rap concert has ever crossed the $9 million mark.

Not only did Kendrick break Eminem’s long-standing record set in Melbourne back in 2019, but the Minneapolis show also set a new milestone for both Kendrick and SZA. It was the largest crowd either artist has ever performed for outside of a festival setting.

Of course, Kendrick didn’t just stop at making history — he made headlines too. During the show, he took what many believe was a direct shot at Drake. Kendrick appeared to reference Drake’s ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group over the release of the viral diss track “Not Like Us.”

Mocking Drake’s move to take the feud into the courtroom, Kendrick sent a clear message that the rap battle isn’t over — and that he’s still standing tall.

The Grand National Tour, fueled by their chart-topping music and a little bit of controversy, is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable tours of the decade. With just one show in, Kendrick and SZA have already raised the bar for what a hip-hop tour can achieve.

Minneapolis was just the beginning — and if this is the energy they’re starting with, the rest of the tour could be nothing short of legendary.