Kendrick Lamar shuts down Glastonbury with plea for women’s rights
LONDON—Rapper Kendrick Lamar closed this year’s Glastonbury Festival with a powerful track that saw him sing « Godspeed for Women’s Rights » as fake blood streamed down his face from a crown of thorns.
Lamar, 35, ended his new song « Saviour » by chanting « they’re judging you, they’re judging Christ. Godspeed for women’s rights » before dropping his mic and walking off the music festival stage on Sunday.
The dramatic protest came two days after the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down constitutional abortion protections for women.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper was among big names such as Diana Ross, Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen to feature at the festival in south-west England, which saw 200,000 music fans for the first time since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ross, 78, treated the crowds to hits such as « Baby Love » and « You Can’t Hurry Love » earlier on Sunday, while McCartney, 80, performed Beatles classics and newer material during a a two-hour set on Saturday.
McCartney dueted with Springsteen, and thanks to technology, he also sang a duet of « I’ve Got a Feeling » with remastered vocals from the late John Lennon as footage of Lennon played on big screens.
A total of 3,000 artists performed at the four-day festival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary.
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