Kendrick Lamar is one of the biggest names in hip hop and music today. With hits like “Humble”, “DNA”, “Swimming Pools”, and many more, Kendrick has cemented himself as not just a rapper but an artist who makes thought-provoking music exploring complex themes like institutional racism, struggles in his hometown of Compton, faith and more.
Naturally, Kendrick Lamar commands huge crowds for his live shows. According to Pollstar’s 2019 Mid Year Top 100 Worldwide Tours, Kendrick grossed over $62 million from just 43 shows on his tour last year. That works out to an average gross of $1.4 million per show.
But how much would it actually cost to book Kendrick Lamar for your own event or concert? That depends on a few key factors that can significantly influence Kendrick Lamar’s booking fee and overall costs.
Kendrick Lamar’s Booking Fee
The biggest factor is Kendrick Lamar’s booking fee, which is essentially his base price to secure him to perform at your event. This fee varies greatly based on:
Type of Event
Kendrick charges more for high profile, exclusive events like big festivals compared to shows at small venues. A Coachella performance could net Kendrick seven figures while a small club show would be much cheaper.
Location
Kendrick’s fee depends on where the event is, with more expensive coastal cities like LA or New York City commanding a higher price than shows in smaller towns.
Timing
When you book Kendrick also affects his fee. He charges more for weekends, holidays, and times when he’s releasing an album or on tour.
His Schedule
How busy Kendrick is at the time influences his availability and fee. If he’s rested and your event fits nicely into his schedule, his fee may be more reasonable.
Based on these factors, Kendrick Lamar’s booking fee could range anywhere from $100,000 to over $1 million per show. The fee alone doesn’t cover all the costs though.
Other Costs
Here are some other typical costs involved in booking Kendrick Lamar for a concert:
Travel
You may need to cover the cost of Kendrick and his entourage’s flights, transport, hotels, meals and other travel expenses. This could be tens of thousands depending on the location.
Production
Major costs include stage, lighting, sound and video production. Kendrick may request certain specifications that could cost $100k or more.
Band and Crew
You’ll need to pay fees, travel, room and board for Kendrick’s band, backup performers, managers, assistants and crew. Easily $100k+ for large entourages.
Promotion
Marketing and promoting the event can cost big bucks depending on scale. Things like advertising, PR, social media, and printing promotional materials.
Venue
Booking fees for venues like arenas and stadiums are huge. Also factor costs for rentals, staff, insurance, licenses, taxes and more.
Equipment
You may need to rent musical equipment, AV gear, fences, office supplies, furniture and more for venues lacking amenities.
Insurance
Very expensive but critical to cover liabilities and protect everyone involved. Can be six figures for large events.
Security
Police, guards, checkpoints, traffic control and more are required to keep Kendrick and attendees safe.
So when you add up all these costs, the total bill for booking Kendrick Lamar can easily exceed $1 million for big events like festivals. Even small concerts require hundreds of thousands when accounting for all the expenses. But for many, it’s worth every penny to book one of the greatest artists alive today!
How Much Kendrick Lamar Has Made From Touring
To give an idea of how lucrative touring can be for Kendrick Lamar, here’s a breakdown of how much he has grossed from major tours:
Tour | Year | Gross |
---|---|---|
The Damn Tour | 2017-18 | $62 million (from 43 shows) |
Kunta’s Groove Sessions | 2015 | $1 million (from 8 shows) |
The Campus Consciousness Tour | 2012 | $500 thousand (from 12 shows) |
As you can see, even short tours with few shows can be incredibly profitable for Kendrick Lamar. This gives him more flexibility to charge premium rates that only the biggest stars can command.
How Kendrick Lamar Compares to Other Artists
Kendrick Lamar’s earning power places him among the top-grossing live performers today. Here’s how Kendrick compares to other major artists:
Artist | Average Gross Per Show |
---|---|
Ed Sheeran | $2.1 million |
Taylor Swift | $2.1 million |
Jay-Z | $1.6 million |
Bruno Mars | $1.3 million |
Kendrick Lamar | $1.4 million |
So you can see Kendrick commands fees comparable to the top touring acts today like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Jay-Z. His average gross per show is slightly higher than stars like Bruno Mars.
This puts Kendrick Lamar out of reach financially for many smaller events. But he remains an affordable choice compared to legends like The Rolling Stones who average $6.1 million per show!
Is Booking Kendrick Lamar Worth the Investment?
At the end of the day, determining if booking Kendrick Lamar is worth the money comes down to:
Your Budget
For small venues and events, Kendrick’s minimum fee of ~$100k may bust your budget. But large festivals raking in millions can afford Kendrick’s premium rate.
Your Goals
Booking Kendrick makes sense if you want an A-list artist who will draw big crowds. If you just want background music, you can find cheaper options.
Your Expected Turnout
Kendrick can boost attendance, but you need to sell enough tickets for his fee to pay off based on per head economics.
Intangibles
Having Kendrick perform raises your event’s prestige and brand image. That could justify the premium investment for some.
So overall, booking Kendrick Lamar costs a minimum of low six figures up to over $1 million when you account for all expenses. While costly, he remains one of the most in-demand live acts that deliver huge value through their star power, popularity and catalog of beloved hits.
Conclusion
Kendrick Lamar’s legendary status in hip hop allows him to command some of the highest booking fees in the music industry today. While hiring Kendrick to perform will set you back at least $100k and more realistically over $1 million for a full concert production, he delivers immense value through his uniquely talented artistry. For events able to meet his fee and handle the complex logistics required, booking Kendrick Lamar provides a rare opportunity for attendees to see one of the greatest rappers and creative forces of his generation.