Lamar performed the song for the first time at the 15th BET Awards on June 28 , 2015 . The performance featured Lamar standing on a graffiti-embossed police car flanked by a gigantic battered American flag . Geraldo Rivera of Fox News called the performance " disgusting " , and criticized Lamar , stating that " Hip Hop has done more damage to African Americans than racism in recent years " . Lamar , later , responded to the comments with a short video questioning Rivera 's claim , stating " How can you take a message of hope and turn it into hate ? " Lamar later used audio of Rivera 's comments in his song " DNA . "
15th BET Awards
BET Awards 2015
Alright (Kendrick Lamar song)