Kendrick Lamar has denied rumours he is banning mobile phones at his concerts. On 10 February, the Observer reported that Lamar was not permitting professional photographers into the photo pit on his European tour, allowing only his personal photographers to document the shows. His label, Top Dawg Entertainment, provide selected images to media outlets.
However, this led to assumptions that Lamar was also preventing fans from capturing his performances on their phones, which his representatives have now denied in a statement released to Pitchfork.
Neither practice is uncommon. Artists such as Beyoncé and the Killers give live access only to their own photographers, while acts including Jack White and Savages have attempted to limit the use of cameraphones at their shows. White’s managers recently issued a statement in advance of the musician’s forthcoming UK tour: “We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it IN PERSON.”
Lamar’s UK tour concludes at Wembley Stadium, London, on 20 February. The rapper recently curated the soundtrack for Marvel’s Black Panther, and is nominated for best international male artist at next week’s Brit awards.
