Marcus Mumford Recalls This ‘Real Confidence’ Move Kendrick Lamar Pulled When They Met in a Dressing Room

The Mumford & Sons singer was summoned by K. Dot at Bonnaroo. Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons performs on stage as Live Nation Studios celebrates 'Mumford & Sons: The House Band' World Premiere on June 12, 2026 in New York City. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Live Nation Studios Trending on Billboard Artists meet each other all the time backstage after shows, but one Kendrick Lamar dressing-room encounter has stuck with Marcus Mumford. The Mumford & Sons singer joined the SmartLess podcast on Monday (July 27), which found him detailing his first encounter with K. Dot after the rapper’s performance at Bonnaroo Music Festival. Mumford explained how there was a specific request from Lamar to meet the singer. “When I was invited, very explicitly invited, backstage was after Kendrick Lamar played Bonnaroo,” he said. “There was a message that came down from on high that Kendrick would like to see you. When Kendrick calls, you come, right, because he’s the king.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news Mumford recalled being caught off guard when he entered Lamar’s dressing room, as the rapper sparked conversation as he was in the middle of changing clothes. “He took almost all of his clothes as I walked in. It was amazing,” Mumford said. “I thought, like, the gumption to be like, ‘Yeah, come on back after the show and it will be the very moment I take all my clothes off and I’m just down to my undies and we’ll have a chat.’” The 39-year-old credited Lamar for being himself even though it was their first time interacting. “Real confidence. Swag,” Mumford complimented the West Coast rap legend. Lamar has performed at Bonnaroo on three separate occasions, 2012, 2015 and 2023, with Mumford & Sons sharing the bill in 2015. Mumford is currently on the North American leg of Mumford & Sons’ Prizefighter Tour, which boasts upcoming shows in Minnesota, Iowa and Atlanta, as well as three dates at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Watch the full interview below. Talk of Mumford meeting Kendrick Lamar takes place around the 11-minute mark. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up