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Concerts

Kendrick Lamar Is Coming to Toronto for 'Grand National Tour' in June 2025

The rapper is coming to Drake's home turf to play a show at the Rogers Centre on June 12 and 13 along with SZA.

Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
Dave Free

UPDATE: Due to demand, a second date of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's Grand National Tour has been added to Toronto's Rogers Centre on June 13.

Well, this is interesting. Kendrick Lamar just announced the Grand National Tour with SZA, and it has one lone Canadian date: June 12 at Rogers Centre.


Toronto, of course, is his rival Drake's home turf. The rapper has recently been amping up his resistance to Kendrick's diss tracks, launching legal actions accusing Universal Music Group and other stakeholders of inflating the numbers of "Not Like Us." He's also been taking shots against former friends with connections to Toronto who have appeared to show support for Kendrick.

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Kendrick, meanwhile, has been riding high. The beef with Drake has pushed him to the height of his popularity. His new album GNX is currently No. 1 on both the Billboard Canadian Albums chart and the Billboard 200, while songs from the album hold all top 5 spots on the Hot 100. In February, he'll play the Super Bowl halftime show.

SZA and Drake have a longtime collaborative history, and their 2023 song "Slime You Out" was a No. 1 hit of its own. SZA also appears on two songs on GNX, "Luther" and "Gloria."

The Grand National Tour is named for the same car that inspired the name of the album GNX, and it's presented by Live Nation, pgLang and Top Dawg Entertainment.

The tour starts in April 2025 and runs until June, with 19 stadium dates across North America.

A Cash App Visa Card pre-sale starts on Wednesday (Dec. 4) at 10 a.m. local time on the Grand National Tour website, while general on sale starts Friday, December 6th at 10am local time.

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Executive of the Week: FACTOR's Meg Symsyk on Why Supporting Canadian Music Means Supporting Cultural Sovereignty
Business

Executive of the Week: FACTOR's Meg Symsyk on Why Supporting Canadian Music Means Supporting Cultural Sovereignty

The president and CEO of FACTOR, one of Canada's most crucial music funders, explains why it's more important than ever to support homegrown culture and give it the opportunity to compete on the global stage.

When it comes to supporting Canadian music, FACTOR's influence is immeasurable. One of the most crucial funders of art in the country, the non-profit's impact is seen with its logo across countless acclaimed records and its name shouted out at concerts and award shows. But for president & CEO Meg Symsyk, it's not just about supporting Canadian music or even Canadian artists: it's about the sovereignty and identity of the country itself.

“Buying locally is more important than ever because of that consumer awareness and structural support. Canadians need to be encouraged to be more intentional. This last year and a half with the tariffs and the trade wars has put that on everyone's front burner,” she explains.

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