NEWS
The "Grand National" tour from Kendrick Lamar, his former TDE partner SZA, and star West Coast producer Mustard has brought a lot of opportunities for fan engagement. Whether that's a Not Beauty pop-up or a crowd of over 40,000 fans, this trek kicked off on a great note.
As caught by NFR Podcast and others on Twitter, their concert in Houston on Wednesday (April 23) reportedly became the highest-grossing hip-hop show in history. It reportedly garnered $9.44 million. Their "Grand National" opening in Minneapolis just last week was the previous record holder according to Touring Data, becoming the first rap show to gross over $9 million. Before that, Eminem held the record, which he set at a 2019 concert in Melbourne.
This is a staggering achievement for a tour with only two shows under its belt at press time. The Minneapolis show opened the "Grand National" trek in... well, grand fashion. New Kendrick Lamar verses and plenty of other surprises emerged, along with consistently impressive showings from SZA and Mustard's crowd control.
Of course, Kendrick Lamar added more shots for good measure. Some fans are already tired of all the Drake discourse, but both artists seem happy to keep things going. One is on the road and one is in court. But we've seen how this fueled standout recent moments like the PARTYNEXTDOOR collab album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U and pretty much everything K.Dot touches these days. Even if they aren't direct in their allusions and jabs, they know fans are smart enough to connect the dots. Or just, you know, ignore them and move on with their lives if they don't care.
Nevertheless, there are many more narrative offshoots from the "Grand National" tour's context that are much more positive. For example, one is Kendrick Lamar and SZA dominating Billboard with "luther." Their Minneapolis show matched with their ninth consecutive and total week at the number one spot on the Hot 100 chart.
What else will the "Grand National" tour offer? We have no idea, but whether there is consistency or surprise on the horizon, we can't wait to find out. We know at least one thing that will definitely come of this trek, and that's a whole lot of cash.
NEWS
Sir Elton John performed for his largest crowd since stepping away from touring in 2023, taking the stage at the 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The 78-year-old icon was in top form as he delivered a spectacular 90-minute performance at Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday (05.10.25), just after British Mercedes driver George Russell claimed victory.
Over 70,000 people filled The Padang stage area to enjoy a 16-song set packed with timeless favorites like Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, Bennie And The Jets, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, and I’m Still Standing.
It was Elton’s biggest live appearance since finishing his historic Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour two years earlier.
In the time since, Elton has faced challenges with his eyesight, but he refuses to let that slow him down.
The Your Song star, who ended his touring career to focus on family life with his husband David Furnish and their sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, suffered a serious eye infection last July that left him blind in his right eye and with limited sight in his left.
He told The Times in April, “It’s upsetting. You feel emotional, but you have to accept it because I’m fortunate to have the life I do. I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see a bit out of here [left eye], so you just tell yourself to carry on.”
Speaking earlier about his struggle with vision loss, Elton shared with The Guardian, “I’m always an optimist. My eyesight isn’t great right now. There are days when I feel down, but then I remind myself how lucky I am. I’ve gained a new admiration for people living with sight loss, but I’ve got a good life and hope my vision gets better. I’ve overcome addiction, health problems, and I always find a way to stand up and move forward.”
Elton John's Singapore Grand Prix setlist:
Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
Bennie And The Jets
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Tiny Dancer
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Philadelphia Freedom
Rocket Man
Levon
Candle In The Wind
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
The Bitch Is Back
Crocodile Rock
I’m Still Standing
Your Song
Cold Heart
