"Shit yeah" 😂😂 You're about to get a flood of Kendrick fans due to the victory lap his fans are taking in light of the recent rap battle

"Okay, shit yeah" my boy was grooving 😂

Drake really thought it was a good idea to against this man?...

He wore all black contact lenses as a tribute to Method Man because he preformed this on, I believe, the 20th anniversary of Method Man's debut album. He also braided only half of his hair as a tribute to Ol Dirty Bastard

If you're going to stay on the Kendrick train (which I really hope you do), there is a live video on youtube called "Untitled 8" that he did on Jimmy Fallon in 2018. 100% live instrumentation behind him like this. Reason I bring it up is because he taps into something in that performance that I've never experienced since. No explanation does it justice, it's just worth a watch.

As someone with almost 0 knowledge of music theory and instrumentation, I love how much fun you're having. It's like giving your friend food they've never tried before and they fall in love with the flavors and intricacies in real time. Keep doing what you're doing!

And people say there's an argument when it comes to the GOAT

Listening to this "live" (on TV) as a 14 year old in the middle of a sketch comedy show sitting with your parents in the basement was actually mind-altering

Drake literally could fucking never

The high hat is where the answers to all your groove questions are.

This video aged like fine wine!🍷 Love your reaction to Kendrick's level of artistry. 😊

I’m not new to hip hop, but am realizing I slept on Kendrick. This has to be the best hip hop live performance I have seen, honestly one of the best live performances period.

You know the groove is DEEP when Michael’s arms start to float like he’s in water. Haha.

“Ok. Shit yeah” 🤣🤣🤣 that’s what Kendrick DOES!

i am begging you to do more kendrick edit: dont put pressure on yourself to get the lyrics, it takes everyone a few listens. Dont let anyone lie to you that they didn't.

Kendrick shows what a real Master of Ceremony is here.

The fact that there’s another version of “i” (the 2014 single) that sounds SO DIFFERENT but is SO GOOD IN A DIFFERENT WAY is insane to me it’s literally like a different song you should listen to that too

Hope Kendrick sees this just so he gets a glimpse of his influence . “In one of its purest forms”

This is absolutely incredible , how was i sleeping on Mr Kendrick Lamar

10:56 “this is some deep nasty funk” 💕

Man, really apreciatte yout effort to aproach this style. Im a former metalhead/folk/Rock/Jazz musician, But the album “To Pimp A Butterfly” of Kendrick is the best crossover between rap & jazz for me. And this song “I” is just one of many 10/10 songs, the complete album is a must.

To Pimp a Butterfly has some of the best hip hop instrumentality I've ever heard. An incredible experience of an album.

I've heard people describe Kendrick's flow as a soloing trumpet in a big band. You're super on point when describing how he uses his voice like an instrument.

This shit seriously blew my mind. My respect for Kendrick, over the years, has done nothing but grow. Dudes a fucking genius like no other. Huge props to his band as well, they’re fucking insane.

That guitar part is a sample from The Isley Brothers - "That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2"

Kendrick's band is named 'Wesley' s Theory'. I don't know if they still function, given that Kendrick virtually morphs into a totally new sound, style and persona with each album. Dude has one of the most crystallized paths of artistic evolution I've ever seen in music. It's a staircase at this point. And yeah, like another comment mentioned, if you love this, his live performance at Jimmy Fallon will blow you away.

The last verse on this performance is actually pulled from another song from the album. It’s SO GOOD, it’s speaking on Happiness as an object, and it’s just heart wrenching when contrasted with his performance and the way he almost exits the trance at the end of it all

Kendrick was also heavily inspired by Prince, the level of artistry is phenomenal. Imo Prince was on a different planet if it comes to that subject. Love this video from Kendrick he is amazing!

FYI Michael, the sample on the record is That Lady by The Isley Brothers. Great work as always

your emotion was palpable at the 15:00 mark, absolutely awesome, felt the same way watching this the first time. kendrick is just on another freaking level

I come back to this SNL performance at least a couple times a year. I love it so much... I wish the album version of i captured the same energy.

So much is written and spoken about the unmatched lyrical brilliance of Kendrick Lamar (and rightly so, to break down his lyrics are to break down actual genius) but I love love love that someone is breaking down his live performances - he refuses to ever come out on national TV and not do something perfectly executed. The tightness is fantastic, the timing, the breaks, the hits, the grooves - he ALWAYS does this. I hope you get a chance to watch his performance of Untitled 8 on Fallon (if you put Kendrick Untitled Live in your KZfaq search it usually comes up as the first suggestion).

This is a cold ass breakdown of the young legend and the band!!! 🫡

I really don’t understand why or how anyone could purposely deny themselves the opportunity to listen to every kind of music. Idk if it makes them feel special or something, but when you listen to everything that doesn’t mean it all has to be your favorite but if you can’t appreciate at least some part of a genre then I truly believe you are lying to yourself.

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most powerful artists of my time. Not just in his delivery, but in the words he speaks. He gives voice to a lot of people who feel overlooked and ignored. And I love that you appreciate him for who he is and what he represents. And I love the Isley Brothers sample on this song. Are you reviewing this whole album, "To Pimp a Butterfly"? If not, you should. It's perfection.

This is why Kendrick transcends rap

10:29 😂I love this man reaction

kendrick is a jazz rapper.. he’s got those vocal runs that remind me of a jazz horn/percussion section. Phenomenal talent.

as a massive kendrick fan, this is one of the best reactions i’ve ever watched. you showed me more sides to this song that i’ve never properly heard, even though i have listened to it countless times.

"This is what I'm talkin about! This is some deep nasty funk!" 😂😂 I am sooo digging you reactions!! 😍🥰😍🥰

This SNL performance was my introduction to Kendrick Lamar. It is still transcendent to me. Thank you for bringing it to your audience.

Earned a new fan with your Kendrick reactions. I love the honesty

The foundation of this song is the Isley Brothers “That Lady”. If you’ve never heard that song as a guitar player it’s like ear candy for you.

This us actually,my favorite version of the song I totally enjoyed sharing it,with you.

Love the connection to Tool. Making the comparisons of artisanship across genres is why so many of us love so many different types of music.

i is one of my all time favorite songs. It has so much energy that you can’t help but move and groove to it, plus the message is so uplifting. The band killed it, the background vocals killed it, KDOT KILLED IT! You can see how much fun they’re all having and the joy is palpable.

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you pick up the chord progressions of the songs you react to

Your reaction to the crescendo/finale of the song after 14 minutes is the exact same reaction I had when I first watched it- and I knew right then that Kendrick was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Genre doesn't matter. We're not talking about the GOAT of hip-hop, but one of the most talented musicians and performers of all time, period.

"Internal subdivision of the soul" im keeping that, def sitting on that for the rest of my life

It's incredible to see an artist like Kendrick perform a single song like this in this setting where he and the band can bring a level of energy that would be impossible to sustain for an entire show. Just looking at him at the start and the finish and you can see how much of a high-intensity workout this performance was. Such an incredible level of energy flowing from the group packed into just a few minutes

Damnnn,the reaction on your face is really genuine

watching this guy on the guitar now reacting to kendrick and trying to imitate the chords in the band, I'm just realizing how surreal it feels in hindsight, especially after hearing that "trying to strike a chord and its probably a minoooooor" punchline kendrick said in "Not Like Us" its just so crazy man. Damn! 🤯

The different phases of Kendrick's music are astonishing to behold... for me, this performance and album were the peak though. In my perfect world he'd do all his future live performances with this crew!

“Ok shit yea” i love that music is universal! Two different background and perspectives on live and yet when that music hits it hits us all in the same place

Late to the party, but I love the joy that music brings you. I share in your enthusiasm for the pure artistry of the composition and the precision of every single piece of the puzzle. I also agree with your Tool reference. I would go further and say this is what would happen if you gave Maynard a band the size of Pink Floyd or Dave Matthews. The technical prowess and timing is immaculate with so many working parts.

15:47 his reaction is priceless ❤

Sir, he (Kendrick) is a frequency! "I love myself". Enjoy the Master.

Very interesting, a lot of people who reacts to Kendrick focuses a lot on the lyrics l, it's very refreshing to see someone talking about the instrumental part

EVERYTHING about this man🔥🔥🔥 sheesh. Band and background singers🔥🔥🔥

This is why I love your channel. I never would have listened to this in a million years, but like happens so often, you introduced me to some amazing music.

Thanks for the shout Michael, love your videos! I figured you’d appreciate the band and the instrumentation in this one in particular. Glad you enjoyed this one. One of my favorite live performances. I genuinely mean it when I say “To Pimp a Butterfly” changed my perspective on a lot of things in life, and made me become more sympathetic to things I don’t immediately understand, as well as becoming a more open-minded person, both musically and just as a human being.

Kendrick Lamar is a powerful artist. I am brought to tears by his music and his performances. In an era of entertainment, he shines as a true artist. Genius. And he uses his talent to speak truths, to touch lives and to enlighten. 🫡 my absolute fav

holy shit - so blown away by this video. My kids listen to him but I had never really paid attention. what an incredible performance and crazy, crazy, crazy great band. thanks for turning me on to this. fucking love this channel.

Can you play A Minor

10:52 damn near having a funkmaster flex esque reaction that “NOW THATS WHAT I CALL BARS RIGHT THERE” happening

*Cracks knuckles and takes off hat* "This is some deep, nasty funk" Love your positivity man!

"i" uses a sample of the song "That Lady" by The Isley Brothers

As someone who mainly listens to metal, jazz, edm and ambient, I think this content is amazing. I've been trying for a while to get into hip hop, but I find it very difficult for some reason. However, TPAB is so far the most relatable record for me. It's dense, jazzy, layered and with incredible sound design. Kendrick's voice sometimes sounds like it's singing a Coltrane sax line.

I've learnt more about playing the guitar from music without guitars than music that relies on them. To Pimp a Butterfly is my all time #1 hip hop album. Some of the best musicians in the world today are the ones blending Jazz and Hip Hop: Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington are good examples. No surprise that all of them contributed heavily to this album.

The guitar part is sampled from Isley brothers "who's that lady"

Who's That Lady - Isley brothers

I don’t know anything about music but watching this guys reaction is one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever seen

Backing vocalists are killing it! One of the best live performances!

I really appreciate K Dot’s music . He is a complete artist and hearing you breakdown his music makes me appreciate that much more.

That performance was literally the first time I came across Kendrick Lamar and I been a fan ever since

I just gotta say man watching you really feel this brings joy to my heart you truly get entranced in his music and the little intricate piece of it

Crazy to think that when this single came out people questioned his upcoming album To Pimp A Butterfly. People thought he sold out his sound and lost what made Good Kid m.A.A.d City so great.

His music knowledge is the reason for the sample I’m so happy as a musician you caught… because to untouched ears.. it means nothing. Power to the Isley brothers

YES Michael, absolutely adore you digging into Kendrick. You won’t regret delving into his art

Got ghost bumps listening to this and enjoying your reaction to our culture ❤

Kendrick's live performances like this one brings me to tears, regardless if i've already seen it multiple times. He is the GOAT. This is the next evolution of the artform.

The producers that Kendrick has are usually the same and always get it right, and ofcourse Kendrick has a say in the music production/process. Simply put….Masterclass performance.

Thank you for teaching. Opened my ears to new sounds.

The brilliance of Kendrick Lamar ladies and gentleman👏👏

"This is some deep nasty funk". Lol your videos and enthusiasm bring me so much joy. This is only the second video of yours I've watched. I love the reaction you're having to Kendrick's music.

Whether you react to it on the channel or not, you should listen to To Pimp A Butterfly someday. You’ll love it. It’s super funky. One word of caution for people getting into Kendrick for the first time. Most people treat rap lyrics as autobiographical and always speak from their point of view. While Kendrick definitely does that, he also raps in character from different people’s point of view (even in different voices) so you might hear him say things you don’t expect. Treat it more like watching a movie. Your favorite actor might play the villain sometimes. ✌️

He was AMAZING on Colbert.

My "musical wheelhouse" being guitar centred rock. I never really got Kendricks "radio stuff" but hearing your take on I Sober really opened my eyes. I was sure this had to be more recent but turns out it's from 2015. I will have to go back on his stuff because this is just incredible. Thanks! Keep doing what you do! I love it!

We cant be upset with what you gravitated to in the reaction..from a hip hop fan you are 'n have been doing a great job reacting on kdot

Blood walking on SNL is crazy work 😂 Kdot is unmatched 💯💪🏽

I hope you can play with Kendrick one day! Great reviews of his music. I love your reactions and facial expressions when greatness is upon you lol!!

I love love love your reactions The pure passion for the music is the shit that gets me You have a new fan!

Michael, brother, I get it! Kendrick is my favorite artist and this is my favorite performance from him! And as a drummer myself, I look at and listen to the performance holistically. Everything comes together so beautifully! The synchronization of the band and the singers; you'd think they've been together since childhood. Even after seeing him live, this is still his Magnum Opus as far as performances go!

"This is one of the best things ive ever seen" - Subscribed

Deep nasty funk 😎

Michael you made my day (or maybe a week) with this new episode. Can feel vibrations through the screen. Thanks man.

I like how Kendrick's band is using that Isley Brothers groove. I think you should definitely check out the roots, you got me, the live version you will like that band.

Kendrick is so damn great. "To Pimp A Butterfly" is the album that really opened me up to rap/hiphop as a metalhead

These are my favorite reactions ever! They're so pure, and the epitome of why the avg kendrick fan doesn't care about anything people are saying against him. As a drake fan, there is nothing in his catalog that would ever invoke this response! Party music is always fun, but artistry is FOREVER!

Such a good reaction. I got so excited for you. Kendrick is just the greatest.