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THE BIG PODCAST – BIG Interview With D Smoke On New Album 'Wake Up Supa," I.C.E. in LA, and Missing The Pop Out With Kendrick Lamar

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THE BIG PODCAST - BIG Interview With D Smoke On New Album 'Wake Up Supa," I.C.E. in LA, and Missing The Pop Out With Kendrick Lamar Big Boy's Neighborhood
Kendrick Lamar and SZA will co-headline the most anticipated hip hop tour of 2025
Following the surprise release of Kendrick Lamar’s album GNX, the Compton rapper has announced what’s already being called the most significant hip hop tour of 2025. Pairing with former TDE labelmate SZA, the “Grand National Tour” will hit major stadiums across North America beginning in April 2025.
Date | City | Venue |
April 19, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA | SoFi Stadium |
April 26, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV | Allegiant Stadium |
May 3, 2025 | Houston, TX | NRG Stadium |
May 10, 2025 | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
May 17, 2025 | New York, NY | MetLife Stadium |
May 22, 2025 | Toronto, ON | Rogers Centre |
What Makes This Tour Special: This marks the first time Kendrick Lamar and SZA have co-headlined a tour together. The production will feature a revolutionary stage design that transforms throughout the show, representing themes from both artists’ recent albums.
Kendrick Lamar shared on social media: “The Grand National Tour is more than a concert—it’s a cultural moment. We’re bringing something that’s never been seen before.”
Presale begins January 15, 2025, with general sale starting January 18. Ticket prices range from $89 to $350.
Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX promises unprecedented production value and guest appearances
Chris Brown is celebrating 20 years in the industry with his most ambitious tour yet. The “Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour” will feature an unprecedented production scale with a rotating stage, aerial performances, and a full orchestra section.
The tour kicks off June 8, 2025, and will feature rotating special guests including Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, and Jhené Aiko across different dates.
“This tour is a celebration of everything we’ve built together over 20 years. I’m bringing my entire catalog to life with the biggest production I’ve ever attempted,” Chris Brown stated in his tour announcement.
– Chris Brown, Instagram announcement
VIP packages include meet-and-greet opportunities and exclusive merchandise. Presale begins February 1, 2025.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour blends country aesthetics with R&B performance art
Following the groundbreaking success of her country-influenced album “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé is bringing her genre-bending vision to stadiums across the US and UK. This tour marks her first solo stadium run since the Formation World Tour and promises to blend country aesthetics with her signature R&B performance style.
The tour runs from April 28 through July 11, 2025, with rumors of surprise guest appearances from collaborators on the Cowboy Carter album. Industry insiders suggest the production budget exceeds $20 million, with custom-built stage elements that transform throughout the show.
Historical Context: This will be Beyoncé’s first tour to heavily incorporate country music elements, representing a significant artistic evolution and cultural statement following her groundbreaking Cowboy Carter album.
Beyoncé’s BeyHive members get exclusive presale access starting January 10, 2025. General sale begins January 17, 2025.
The Weeknd continues his record-breaking tour with new music and enhanced production
After the massive success of his previous tour legs, The Weeknd returns with an expanded “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” featuring new music and enhanced production elements. The 2025 leg will cover North America from May through September, featuring special guests Playboi Carti and Mike Dean.
The Weeknd’s previous tour leg broke attendance records at multiple venues, and the 2025 dates are expected to continue this trend with enhanced production elements and a setlist spanning his entire catalog.
American Express cardholders get early access starting December 15, 2024. General sale begins December 20, 2024.
Keyshia Cole celebrates 20 years of her groundbreaking debut album
Keyshia Cole is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her iconic debut album “The Way It Is” with a comprehensive tour spanning the UK and North America. The tour will feature special guests Lil’ Kim, Jeremih, Wale, Tink, and Fridayy across different dates.
Running from July through September 2025, this tour represents Cole’s most extensive touring effort in years. Each show will feature a complete performance of her debut album followed by hits from throughout her career.
Cole shared in a press statement: “This album changed my life and connected me with so many people. I want to celebrate that connection with the fans who’ve been with me from the beginning.”
Fan club presale begins February 15, 2025. VIP packages include a pre-show reception with memorabilia from the original album era.
R&B legends unite for an unprecedented tour celebrating decades of soul music
Four legendary R&B voices are coming together for what’s being called the ultimate soul music experience. “Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour” brings together Charlie Wilson, Babyface, El DeBarge, and K-Ci Hailey for a celebration of classic R&B spanning multiple decades.
Running from August through October 2025, this unique tour format will feature both individual sets from each artist and collaborative performances. The production includes a rotating stage that transforms into different settings for each performer.
Unlike traditional package tours where artists perform separate sets, Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour features extensive collaboration between all four headliners. The show includes a 30-minute segment where all artists perform together, creating unique arrangements of their classic hits.
Yes, the tour will include special tribute segments honoring R&B legends who have passed, including Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, and more. These segments will feature collaborative performances of iconic songs.
The tour offers a “Cookout Experience” VIP package that includes premium seating, a pre-show reception with themed food and drinks, exclusive merchandise, and a group photo opportunity with all four headliners.
Tickets go on sale March 1, 2025. AARP members receive a 10% discount on select seating categories.
Mary J. Blige’s intimate yet spectacular tour celebrates her connection with fans
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul returns to the road with her most personal tour yet. Mary J. Blige’s “For My Fans Tour” will feature a career-spanning setlist with reimagined arrangements of her classic hits alongside new material.
Running from January 30 through April 14, 2025, the tour will visit arenas across the United States with supporting acts Ne-Yo and Mario. The production features a unique stage design that brings Blige closer to the audience than on previous arena tours.
The “Queen’s Court” package includes front-row seating, exclusive pre-show reception, limited edition merchandise, and a photo opportunity with Mary.
The innovative 360° stage design features multiple platforms that extend into the audience, creating an intimate experience even in arena settings.
Fans can expect a comprehensive journey through Mary’s catalog, with special emphasis on her groundbreaking “My Life” and “Share My World” albums.
In a recent interview, Blige explained: “This tour is my thank you letter to the fans who’ve been with me through everything. I’m creating a show that celebrates our journey together.”
Fan club presale begins November 15, 2024. Citi cardmembers have access to presale tickets beginning November 17, 2024.
Tyler, The Creator brings his artistic vision to life with groundbreaking stage design
Known for his boundary-pushing creativity, Tyler, The Creator is taking his live show to new heights with the “Chromakopia Tour.” Supporting his latest album of the same name, this arena tour promises theatrical elements and visual storytelling unlike anything he’s done before.
Running from February through July 2025, the tour will visit arenas across North America and Europe. Tyler has collaborated with renowned stage designers and visual artists to create a completely immersive experience.
“I’ve been working on this show concept for over a year. It’s not just a concert—it’s a complete world I’m inviting people into. The stage transforms multiple times throughout the night, and there’s a narrative that runs through the entire show.”
– Tyler, The Creator, Complex interview
Industry insiders who’ve seen rehearsals describe the production as “revolutionary” and “museum-worthy,” with custom-built set pieces that create optical illusions and transform the arena space.
Golf Wang members receive early access to tickets starting December 1, 2024. General sale begins December 5, 2024.
John Legend celebrates 20 years of his groundbreaking debut album
John Legend is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album “Get Lifted” with a comprehensive world tour. The Grammy-winning artist will perform the album in its entirety alongside a full orchestra, bringing new depth to his classic songs.
Running from May through December 2025, this extensive tour will visit theaters and concert halls across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The intimate venues were specifically chosen to create a connection with the audience.
Historical Significance: “Get Lifted” helped redefine contemporary R&B when it was released in 2004, blending classic soul influences with modern production. The album won three Grammy Awards and established John Legend as a major voice in music.
Each show will feature a complete performance of the “Get Lifted” album followed by selections from throughout Legend’s career. Special surprise guests are expected at select dates, potentially including collaborators from the original album.
American Express cardholders get early access starting January 20, 2025. General sale begins January 24, 2025.
Rising star Coco Jones brings her breakthrough success to her largest tour yet
After her meteoric rise to prominence, Grammy-nominated artist Coco Jones is embarking on her first major headlining tour. The “Why Not More? Tour” will showcase her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence across North America.
Running from May through June 2025, the tour features supporting acts Lady London and TA Thomas. This represents Jones’ biggest touring effort to date, following her breakthrough success and critical acclaim.
Jones shared on Instagram: “This tour is everything I’ve been working toward. I’m bringing my full vision to the stage and can’t wait to connect with everyone who’s been on this journey with me.”
Spotify fans get presale access beginning March 1, 2025. General sale begins March 5, 2025.
The 2025 tour landscape shows evolving trends in hip hop and R&B live performances
As we look across the biggest hip hop and R&B tours of 2025, several clear trends emerge that are shaping the live music landscape:
Multiple major artists are celebrating milestone anniversaries, with tours dedicated to groundbreaking albums that defined their careers and influenced the genre.
The rise of co-headlining tours like Kendrick Lamar & SZA shows artists combining star power to create cultural moments rather than traditional solo tours.
Artists are investing heavily in revolutionary stage designs, with transforming sets, immersive elements, and technology integration becoming standard for major tours.
We’re also seeing increased international routing, with more artists including significant overseas legs rather than focusing exclusively on North America. The influence of social media is evident in production design, with many tours creating specific moments designed to be shared across platforms.
Ticket pricing strategies are evolving as well, with more artists offering tiered experiences and dynamic pricing models. VIP packages have become increasingly elaborate, often including interactive elements beyond the traditional meet-and-greet format.
The 2025 hip hop and R&B tour calendar represents one of the most exciting years for live music in recent memory. From stadium spectacles to intimate anniversary celebrations, these tours offer something for every fan of the genre. With many shows expected to sell out quickly, securing tickets early is essential for those wanting to experience these landmark performances.
Whether you’re drawn to the groundbreaking production of Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia Tour,” the historic pairing of Kendrick Lamar and SZA, or the celebration of R&B legends on “Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour,” 2025 promises unforgettable live music experiences that will define the year in hip hop and R&B.
Don’t miss your chance to see these legendary performances live. Secure your tickets now before they sell out.
Tickets for the biggest tours are selling fast. Secure your spot today and experience the most talked-about shows of 2025.
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