Kendrick Lamar Rumored to Headline Coachella 2025
Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to major stages. Fresh off his widely viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, the Compton native may now be setting his sights on a stage he has never headlined as the star attraction, Coachella in Indio, California.
While Lamar has appeared at Coachella before, his history there has been limited. He first performed in 2012 as he was on the verge of breaking into mainstream success with the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city. His next appearance came in 2017, just as he released DAMN., his most commercially successful album to date. That project sold over 600,000 copies in its debut week, cementing him as one of the biggest names in music.
Now, with another high-profile stretch of accomplishments behind him, including his recent win over Drake in their highly publicized feud, speculation is growing that Kendrick could be announced as one of the 2025 headliners. According to HITS Daily Double and Kurrco, discussions are already underway, with other rumored headliners including Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, and Karol G. Reports from Soap Central and HDD suggest that conversations between agents took place during the MTV VMAs, with chatter also tied to the Oasis Rose Bowl.
Coachella has yet to confirm its 2025 lineup, but the official announcement is expected soon. The festival is set to run April 10–12 for its first weekend, followed by April 17–19 for the second.
Interestingly, Kendrick has previously been offered the headlining slot. In 2024, both he and Rihanna reportedly turned down the opportunity for the 2025 run. At the time, Lamar was focused on his stadium tour plans, which eventually materialized around his surprise November 2024 album GNX. That tour began April 19 in Minneapolis and continues this year, with the next leg resuming September 23 in Mexico City for shows across South America and Mexico.
If confirmed, Coachella 2025 would mark a major milestone in Kendrick Lamar’s career, giving him the chance to headline one of the world’s most iconic music festivals at a peak moment in his global influence.
