He could have stayed in his hotel room, practicing his rhymes for when he headlines Auckland's newest festival on Saturday night.
But Kendrick Lamar has kept himself busy since landing in the country on Wednesday, taking in the best of Auckland with a helicopter trip to Waiheke Island's Cable Bay Vineyards.
Read more: How to get the best seat in the house at Auckland City Limits
As our exclusive images show, the Compton rapper was snapped enjoying a tipple, wearing a white T-shirt and grey hoodie.
Lamar is the headline attraction at tomorrow's Auckland City Limits, set to cap off a day of performances including Cold War Kids, Action Bronson, The National, Girl Talk and Modest Mouse at Western Springs Stadium.
Lamar released his latest album this month, a surprise release called untitled, unmastered that included offcuts from his Grammy-winning record To Pimp A Butterfly.
He performs on the Spark1 stage from 9.30-11pm.
The festival has been billed as a sort-of successor to the Big Day Out, and is modeled on the successful Austin City Limits.
It's from the former New Zealand promoter of the Big Day Out, Campbell Smith, who yesterday revealed he'd been chasing Beck as a potential second headliner but "we couldn't make it work".
Read more: Festival boss reveals headliner that got away
As well as a day full of music, boutique food tents, pop up bars and a kids' stage are available to punters.
Kiwi acts on the bill include Maala, Broods, Naked & Famous and Fat Freddy's Drop.
Waiheke Island is a popular spot for visiting celebs, with everyone from Miley Cyrus, Pamela Anderson, Beyonce, Quentin Tarantino and Jeremy Clarkson known to have spent time there.
- nzherald.co.nz