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June 27, 2026

‘World’s number one’ rapper to headline Bluesfest

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'World's number one rapper' Kendrick Lamar. Photo supplied
‘World’s number one rapper’ Kendrick Lamar. Photo supplied

Described as’ the number one rapper and hip-hop artist in the world right now’, platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning Kendrick Lamar will headline the opening night of Bluesfest 2016.

An exceptional storyteller and lyricist and known for his compelling and poetic albums, Kendrick Lamar has even been likened to Bob Dylan by fellow industry heavyweight, Pharrell Williams. Lamar was nominated in seven categories, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2014.

In 2015, at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, Kendrick won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for his track I.

Kendrick Lamar’s third and most recent album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart, #1 on the Billboard R&B and Hip Hop Albums Chart, #1 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart among topping other charts worldwide. It even features Bluesfest alumni George Clinton on the opening track Wesley’s Theory and has received rave reviews across the globe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9YdTjIPmfk

Lamar joins 32 artists already announced for Bluesfest 2015 including: Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher, The National, UB40, The Wailers, Jackson Browne, Nakho and Medicine for the People, alongside Bluesfest regulars Joe Bonamassa, Tedeschi Trucks, Steve Earle and The Cat Empire.

 



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