As if it wasn’t already evident enough, Kendrick Lamar just proved — again — that he can set the stage on fire with his performances. Like, really on fire.
The 30-year-old rapper came out on stage in a white T-shirt and an orange jumpsuit that was strangely familiar to a prison jumpsuit and opened Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards with an impassioned performance of “DNA.”
When he made his way to the main stage, he was greeted by a ninja (?) in flames. Like, this performer was literally on fire — flames and everything. In the background, stood a few black belt karate performers.
K. Dot then transitioned to his hit single “Humble,” and that’s when the martial arts performers began climbing a fence that was on fire. Yup, still real fire.
Lamar’s VMA performance was so lit that it broke the internet. Fans deemed the show over right after the rapper’s set.
me at 8:00pm: i cant wait for the vmas
me at 8:05pm after kendrick performs: that was a great vmas, cant wait for next year
— jonny sun (@jonnysun) August 28, 2017
Lamar’s act was tough to follow, so people didn’t really know how to react when Ed Sheeran took the stage right after.
https://twitter.com/kareless02/status/901959469961273348
Watch the video here.
See some of the best reactions below.
Kendrick's opening performance, literally. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/XrTVNyFSE7
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheShadyFacts/status/901958804434235393
When it goes from Kendrick to Ed Sheeran #VMAs pic.twitter.com/CeY93yq6Pe
— Kevin Schwaller (@kevschwa) August 28, 2017
Kendrick Lamar is the best awards show performer alive. If he's there, the whole show is about that moment, then it's over. #VMAs
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) August 28, 2017
GO OFF KENDRICK. He giving us a SHOW. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/XAnZTs3Vlm
— chanel??♀️ (@KissMySnap) August 28, 2017
Kendrick forever the king
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) August 28, 2017