smootherstep

Smootherstep is a concert tour by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, in support of his third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly. The tour was announced on February 9, 2015, and kicked off on May 14, 2015, in Seattle, Washington. It concluded on September 7, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.

Smootherstep features a mix of hip hop, funk, jazz, and spoken word music, with performances incorporating spoken word, jazz improvisation, and theater. Each show was tailored to a specific city, with local instrumentalists and vocalists joining Lamar on stage. The tour included a number of recognizable jazz musicians, such as Robert Glasper and Kamasi Washington.

The setlist for the Smootherstep tour included several songs from To Pimp a Butterfly, including "i", "u", "Alright", and "King Kunta". The tour also featured songs from Lamar's earlier work, such as "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" from his 2012 album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. The concert performances were accompanied by a complex lighting system, designed by lighting designer Peggy Ng and scenic designer Fabien Priovrat.

Smootherstep received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the tour's unique blend of music and art. The tour's use of live instrumentation and spoken word was particularly noted for its success in bringing Lamar's complex and multi-layered music to life on stage.