Serena Williams Praises Kendrick Lamar’s Performance At Essence Festival: ‘Bringing Everyone to the Stage, That Was Incredible’

Serena Williams has shared her admiration for Kendrick Lamar’s latest hit, “Not Like Us,” calling it the song of the summer and praising his performance at the Essence Festival for its inclusivity and impact.

During the Essence Festival, Williams expressed her enthusiasm for Lamar’s song.

“Oh, I love that song. It’s the hit of the summer! Whew! When they play that jam, I’m jamming. I’m jamming jamming,” she said.

Williams particularly highlighted the inclusive nature of Lamar’s performance.

“You definitely Crip walking in that song. It’s so cool what he did though. Bringing everyone to the stage? That was incredible … I couldn’t believe it,” she added.

The song has become an undeniable hit, and Williams’ personal connection to it might add to her appreciation.

In “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar raps, “From Alondra down to Central, n**** better not speak on Serena,” a nod to a previous incident where Drake dissed Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, in his song “Middle of the Ocean.”

In response to Drake’s diss, Ohanian used a Kobe Bryant quote to clap back.

Beyond her praise for Kendrick Lamar, Williams reflected on her roots in Compton, sharing how her upbringing in the culturally rich and challenging environment shaped her.

“Growing up in Compton was a special time. I mean, we grew up around the time it was Dr. Dre and Eazy-E,” she said. “And then Snoop Dogg was in Lynwood, which is literally the next street over from where we lived in Compton.”

Williams reminisced about the vibrant cultural scene of her youth, saying:

“I was really young, but I still remember how cool it was and just being a part of that culture. Then growing up in that era and training on those Compton courts and even training in Watts.”

Reflecting on the remarkable talent that emerged from her hometown, she continued:

“It’s crazy like how small that was and, and all these amazing artists and athletes all coming out from this one tiny city that just means so much. So it’s just really cool memories and just really cool things to look back on.”

Williams’ comments not only highlight her respect for Kendrick Lamar’s artistry but also underscore her pride in her roots and the shared cultural heritage of Compton.