An exciting wave of musical talent is capturing the spotlight, with Kendrick Lamar and SZA at the forefront of the current scene. The two artists, whose recent joint performance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show electrified audiences, are expanding their Grand National Tour to include additional dates across the United Kingdom and Europe this summer. The announcement, made shortly after their major televised performance, showcases a further commitment to engage with fans globally.
Lamar is on the road to promote his latest album, GNX, while SZA is championing her album, SOS Deluxe: Lana. In a timely boost, SZA recently dropped four new tracks that have been added to her deluxe album, including "Take You Down," "Open Arms (Just SZA)," "PSA," and a new version of "Joni," all released on March 19, 2025.
The Grand National Tour will kick off with Lamar and SZA performing at multiple venues across the United States, including major stadiums like U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, NRG Stadium in Houston, and Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This initial leg of the tour will conclude with an impressive lineup in Europe, including stops at iconic venues such as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The complete list of U.S. and European performances is packed and varied, featuring over twenty shows from April to August 2025, ensuring a whirlwind year for both artists.
In an era where live music dominates fan experiences, the tour's expansion is a strategic move that builds on the buzz generated by their collaborative success. Their Super Bowl LIX performance, which saw millions tuning in, laid the groundwork for what promises to be a spectacular series of concerts that will likely set records for attendance and engagement.
The collaboration between these two powerhouses is timely, especially as they each aim for chart dominance. In recent news, Kendrick Lamar relished a four-week reign at the top of the Hot 100 singles chart. His collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” not only holds the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week but has also set a personal best for both artists, marking the longest-run of Lamar’s career on the Hot 100.
The duo's staying power on charts and audiences’ hearts underscores a broader trend in the music industry characterized by cross-genre collaborations. Both artists are not only looking to entertain but also to push the envelope of musical creativity and engagement.
Meanwhile, Playboi Carti's latest album, Music, which dropped on March 14, 2025, is making waves of its own. Featuring high-profile collaborations with The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, and Kendrick Lamar, the album contains a total of 30 tracks and has already reached the top of multiple streaming charts. The breakout track, “Evil J0rdan,” currently sits atop the Apple Music and Spotify charts, indicating Carti's formidable presence as a contender for the top spot.
Chappell Roan is another artist making a splash with her song “The Giver,” which dropped on March 14, shortly after her appearance on Saturday Night Live. Despite being previously performed in 2024, the official release of this country-tinged anthem has garnered significant attention. Early metrics show that it accumulated 1.5 million audience impressions within just one week, solidifying Roan’s status as a rising star.
The competition for chart supremacy is fierce. Moreover, Lamar's continued dominance is met with challenges from up-and-coming artists and new releases. Doechii has also made headlines with two versions of her track "Anxiety" entering the Hot 100 chart, highlighting her rise in the hip-hop genre. This unique occurrence underscores the competitive nature of the music industry, where innovation and audience engagement can spiral out in unexpected directions.
As Lady Gaga returns to the pop scene with her album, Mayhem, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart, dethroning Lamar’s GNX, she adds another layer to the ever-evolving narrative of music today. The excitement around Gaga’s release and her first full pop project since Chromatica in 2020 reflects on a landscape that thrives on fresh artistic expressions.
Competing releases such as JENNIE’s Ruby and continuing sensations like Kendrick Lamar's “Luther” indicate a rich diversity in styles and sounds capturing the attention of music lovers everywhere.
The landscape is set for a lively year ahead, with major artists embarking on ambitious tours and charting paths through the complex world of music. The stage is primed for an unforgettable series of performances, innovative albums, and compelling collaborations that promise to keep fans engaged.
As the summer of 2025 approaches, it will be fascinating to see how these diverse sounds coalesce, and who will ultimately claim the top spots on the charts.
