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Kendrick Lamar was the last-ever musical guest on 'The Colbert Report,' which signs off for good this week (video)

Colbert

The Colbert Report will air its final episode on Thursday night (12/18), after which Stephen Colbert (the real person, not his Report persona) will begin prepping to take over for the retiring David Letterman sometime next year. Last night (12/18) featured an appearance by Kendrick Lamar who will have the distinction of being the last-ever musical guest on the show — unless Colbert pulls out some surprises tomorrow night. “No pressure, ” Colbert told Kendrick, “but that means Paul McCartney, REM, Jack White and Nas were your opening acts.” After an interview segment, Lamar performed a new, untitled song with backing from Thundercat, Terrace Martin on saxophone, and back vocals from Bilal and Anna Wise. You can watch that below.

Tonight’s penultimate episode of The Colbert Report features Redeployment author Phil Klay and Thursday’s finale features…the Grim Reaper? Tune in and find out. David Letterman’s final The Late Show will be May 20, but reports are that Colbert may not take the host seat till September. Larry Wilmore will take over Colbert’s time slot on Comedy Central. Craig Ferguson, meanwhile, will exit CBS’ The Late Late Show at the end of December, with guest hosts filling in until James Corden (and bandleader Reggie Watts) take over in March.