Kendrick Lamar Maintains His Political Defiance In Trump's America With 2018 GRAMMYs Performance: Watch

Kendrick Lamar being selected to open the 2018 GRAMMY Awards was the perfect choice, as the rapper knows just what's needed to spark some energy into the crowd. K-Dot's recent performances usually have a political undertone, but for tonight it felt way more visceral.

The artist (who already took home four GRAMMYs tonight) began his set with the heart-pounding "XXX," one of the boldest tracks off his DAMN. album that also features U2. The American flag waved in the background as a group of soldiers marched on stage, many of whom were men of color. The British rockers soon joined Kendrick on stage for their chilling hook. The rapper then switched up his flow to perform the second verse of "DNA" and "King's Dead," the latter of which is the latest song from the TDE-curated Black Panther soundtrack. "Born warrior, lookin' for euphoria, but I don't see itI don't feel it, I'm paraplegic, tapped in when I'm maxed in / Comp-Town with the MAC 10s and the pumps in the background / I was absent, never OG, standout," he ferociously spit as young men dressed in flame-red hoodies fell to the ground to the sound of gunshots.