The people of Cleveland were thirsty last night, and while LeBron James and the Cavaliers could not come through with a victory for the home crowd, rapper Kendrick Lamar still made it a night to remember with a short pregame set outside Quicken Loans Arena.

According to Cleveland.com, Lamar ran through his hits and included the new single 'i,' which will be the NBA's theme song this season.

From the report: If fans were worried they might get shortchanged, they're minds were quickly put to ease. The Grammy nominated star ran though a collection of about a dozen popular songs. The set list included Lamar's new single "i," favorites like "Money Trees" and "Swimming Pools (Drank)," and label mate Jay Rock's new song "Pay For It."

Imagine Dragons performed after Kendirck, but the report notes: "...a lot of the attendees who seemed to be there specifically for Lamar had left. Fortunately, others coming into downtown for the evening took their place."

You can check out the performance below:

Last month, K-Dot hopped on the Power 106 morning show to discuss the new song.

"I think music is universal," Lamar told Big Boy. "It's an expression. No matter how it comes across, as long as it always remains you, that's how they're gonna respect it and they're gonna have a connection with it."

The good kid m.A.A.d city rapper also said he received Ronald Isley's blessing to sample The Isley Brothers' "That Lady" on "i."

"I got a chance to meet him and even got him on the ad libs for the record," he said. "You can hear him."

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