The 56th Grammy Awards took place last Sunday, Jan. 27. This was a year of mash-ups when the classics met the sounds of today’s music with artists like Madonna mixing with Macklemore, while others like Lorde and Taylor Swift went solo. Of all the 18 performances that graced the stage, five stood out as the most incredible ones of the night. For each of the next five days, one of the best performances from the Grammys will be posted.
3. Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons perform “M.A.A.D City” and “Radioactive”
Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons seemed to be an odd pair at first, but their blinding light performance proved everybody wrong.
Dressed in all white and surrounded by drums, Imagine Dragons opened with the first verse of their number one hit, “Radioactive” in the midst of smoke and dim lights.
And out of nowhere came Kendrick Lamar to welcome a vibrant head-bobbing attitude to the stage. Kendrick performed “M.A.A.D. City” along with the help of Imagine Dragons slamming away on percussion. And just when you thought this collaboration couldn’t get any better, Imagine Dragons come back at the climax of the song to weave in the chorus of “Radioactive” accompanied by an array of flashing strobes and smoke. But, Kendrick wasn’t done yet.
For the grand finale, the seven time Grammy nominee did an aggressive freestyle only to be finished off by the explosion of red paint, violent drum bashing and one last rendition of the “Radioactive” chorus with full power and excitement.
So, not only was this unlikely pair able to prove the viewers wrong about mixing alternative and rap, but they were even able to make Lorde smile and that proves a job well done. Goosebumps for all.
Watch the performance here.
