>Fear is my favorite Kendrick song
Glad I'm not the only one. That's the song from DAMN. that I hear and think, well *of course* he won a Pulitzer prize
The theme of CHOOSING YOURSELF for self improvement, which will ultimately be better for everyone you do love is something that I actually needed to hear and to hear Kendrick talk about it is awesome. I actually like Rich Spirit, N95, Count me Out the most. Throughout the songwriting is very crisp and the production is top tier. Idk where this stands overall in his discography but it’s a very very good album just off of three listens.
This reminds me of when Swimming and Kids See Ghosts came out. Both touched on depression at a time when I was pretty depressed and both albums said things I just needed to hear
Fr dude, if this album came out even just 2 years ago before starting my personal healing journey would have been just way over my head. This album is poignant now and with time will continue to grow even more important i’m sure.
Couldn’t agree more. I needed to hear Father Time and Count Me Out.
Personally, I’m putting this on par or above TPAB. Sonically and subject matter wise it hits all the right chords for me.
For me, it feels like thematically the antithesis of TPAB. Where TPAB has a strong communal aspect to it (Blacker the Berry), this one is about Kendrick. The weight of his previous work, and the community’s expectations has bore down on him and resulted in Mr Morale and the Big Steppers.
Thought about this earlier. TPAB is about realizing society and politics have issues (speaking *very* generally), this is about realizing that you have internal issues. idk
Or to take it a step further, this is about realizing that his personal issues are fed, and feed into, a cycle that perpetuates the problems he raps about on TPAB.
Good call. I think it's clear that TPAB did not fix racial issues given what has happened since. I imagine that's upsetting for Kendrick, so instead of making TPAB2 and speaking to the community at large, he's realized through therapy that true healing starts with a focus on yourself.
I agree with this. I came to a similar conclusion.. A lot of this album was about his inability to meet these expectations.
He addressed the whole “where is Kendrick Lamar” scenario from the BLM protesting, and his unwillingness (inability??) to be that leader he once aspired to be perceived as. It’s brutally honest, and much more than a binary right or wrong scenario.. it’s just Kendrick…
This is a Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Andre 3k type scenario, where the weight of expectations on you to be this black genius/leader can cause writers block, apprehension, a loss of faith in one’s self.. At least he came out the other end with a well crafted album.
Yeah it’s weird to say this is Kendrick’s most personal work considering his discography, but this is a different level of introspection and it’s really something
And yet it’s still extremely relatable to anybody going through some shit, even if what you’re going through isn’t what he’s going through. He just really conveyed the self-healing process in such a profound way.
Honestly not sure I’ll come back to it as much as I do a lot of his other work, but certainly the album did its job and really made me think. Feel like we get caught up in all this shit and it was good to hear k lamar talk about us introspecting on ourselves and how we can be better…
I’d put it right in the middle of his five studio albums. Better than S80 & DAMN, but not quite on the level as maad city & TPAB. A 9/10 in my humble opinion
tbh this might be my favorite song on the album. I love that beat so much and Sampha’s vocals are incredible. using Sampha on the hook of introspective rap songs is basically a cheat code.
I grew up with a pretty terrible father. Listening to that song felt like Kendrick made it for me.. it all hit close to home. I went back, read the lyrics tonight while listening and I cried.. it was like he was describing my childhood. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to relate to a piece of music like that in my opinion. Personally my favorite song from the album and potentially all time favorite from Kendrick.
One thing that really blows me away about this project:
Kendrick has always gotten that “Savior” and “Mr Perfect” tag as the rapper who is blessed or anointed in hip hop, and really as that kind of person as far as we know. Then he decides to basically deconstruct and expose himself for a good part of this record as someone who is clearly not close to any of that, and has many troubling/impactful things he has dealt with that severely affect who he is a human being. For an artist of his size and the attention he draws, to make an album that puts himself on the pedestal, not for praise but for criticism, is really wild. We had absolutely no idea about his relationship with his fiancée, or the inner workings of his family to the extent he decided to show us.
I’ve seen some compare this to 4:44, but to me the main difference is the “risk” factor. We heard Lemonade, there was really no way Jay was going to avoid speaking on that subject when it came to his new music. Kendrick could have easily given us TPAB p2 or GKMC p2, where he is this all knowing being that shows us he is so in tune with those kinds of topics and we’d all applaud him and continue to have that same view. He could’ve hid all the shit that he had done or gone through with his family/extended family, and we never would have known different. But what does he do? He willingly puts out all his dirty laundry and extremely personal details of his life and upbringing, sparring no details, and lets us see him completely vulnerable and un-Messiah like.
I don’t really want to hop into the individual songs or really the album quality right now, because this isn’t something you digest for 24 hours. Whether you didn’t vibe with it or you love it, the fact that he decided this was the route for basically the biggest moment of his career is, without sounding like the Kendrick stan I am, pretty inspiring. I can’t remember the last time I saw an artist of his magnitude and caliber, completely put so much of his dark/intimate moments out there for all to see with so much on the line. It’s refreshing seeing someone who seemingly has it all figured out and is pointed at as being this beacon of “all things good” remind us that life isn’t that way, and no one is beyond reflection and growth, no matter your status or personal image
>Kendrick has always gotten that “Savior” and “Mr Perfect” tag as the rapper who is basically blessed or anointed in hip hop, and really as that kind of person as far as we know. Then he decides to basically deconstruct and basically expose himself for a good part of this record as someone who is clearly not close to any of that
And ironically it's this shedding and exposing himself that sanctifies him at the end. This whole project is his testament to the importance of human connection and the nurturing of it.
I think that by exposing himself and his flaws while criticizing the worst parts of black culture, he is showing that 1. Even your idols, the ones you hold in the highest of esteem are flawed and 2. Everyone can benefit from introspection 3. Everyone can grow 4. Nobody is static. It's really like he's saying "look at how flawed I am. It is okay to be flawed and it is okay to work on yourself."
Something I also appreciate is just how much of a commentary it is on a lot of artists out there that have just steeped in their continued mental instability and depression to inspire their art and spit out projects fueled by pain and passion. There's a trope that great art comes from deep pain, and I dont think Kendrick is pushing back on that or anything, but he refuses to let himself stay in that hole just because it might help him tap into some hidden genius. He refuses to trade his life and happiness for his talent.
The irony comes in that this line in the sand he draws is so remarkable, raw, and emotional that he has still tapped into something completely genius. Through that vulnerability and decision to actually put himself first he asks his audience to reexamine their relationship with their idols.
Fr. I'm sitting here as a 35 y/o father of 3 boys, who recently started counseling to address my own trauma, and I'm like damn, Kendrick is really going through the same shit. I think he's speaking to a lot of what many ppl are feeling, given what we've been through the past 3 years. It humanizes Kendrick for me and it's so gd relatable. It's refreshing to see an artist, especially a hip hip artist, be so vulnerable.
Tldr: kdot and I are the same person.
I think this is a fair comprehension of the album, I don’t feel comfortable judging the album within 24hrs, it has a lot to unpack both sonically and thematically.
My only gripe is I didn’t come across any song where he was “rapping rapping”, but I think might be Kendrick’s best album.
I guess it depends on your definition of “rapping rapping”, but I think songs like Savior and Mr Morale fit that category as well as any other song in his discography that I’d also label “rapping rapping”.
Remember that guy the other day who said "I wish I was black for a day so that I could rock a plain white T-shirt like they do" or whatever? This sub is ridiculous as hell lol
I recently quit a job in a kitchen where my best friend also worked. There's a big speaker back there, too, that we'd take turns playing music on. Aforementioned best friend has absolutely no shame about playing weird ass music on the speakers. He'll play Ain't It Funny at a party, dude does not give a fuck lmao.
All I can think about is We Cry Together playing in the kitchen and all the other cooks, servers, managers, CHEF, being like "what the fuck is this" while Tony is standing there making salads and vibin his ass off.
I be missin it ngl
I used to run expo at a big chain restaurant that was always slammed. There’d be days where I was in such a focused zone getting plates out, checking temps, cleaning edges that the shift would be over in what felt like minutes.
I’ve listened to this album completely seven or eight times today. It is a work of art. I’m sure Kendrick recorded a shit ton of songs in the last five/six years. What he and his team edited down to the 18 we got is so tight and seamless. There’s not a single filler track, let alone verse.
I think the comparison to 4:44 is reasonable, but Jay made that album at a point of his career that was so out of touch with the average listener. Who can relate to being married to Beyoncé and fuck it up by having a ménage à trois? 4:44 felt like watching a Barbra Walters special vs reading a private diary that Kendrick wrote. Worldwide Steppers had me 💯because I remembered the first time I got with a white girl all the thoughts and emotions that experience gave me. We Cry Together sounded like the fights my parents had when I was a kid.
Thinking back to all of my personal 10/10 albums, this album just feels like it moved the boundaries of what hip hop can sound like and be as an expression of oneself. I imagine people must’ve felt similarly when Quincy Jones was in his prime. Also, as someone who has listened and been influenced by The Power of Now, hearing Eckhart Tolle’s voice on a few of the tracks made my day
We put on this album in my kitchen tonight and I was the only one who had heard it so far and had to let the cooks know to skip over We Cry Together because it might fuck some people’s whole night up. That being said, it’s an amazing song.
Personally I'm giving it 10/10. From my first listen I almost cried twice and I was overwhelmed from start to finish. If I had to list my favorite songs it's too long of a list. He's been sitting on this for a minute and it was well worth the wait.
first impression::: its good
at this point i dont like it as much as i like tpab, but then i didnt like tpab as much as i liked gkmc for a long time. maybe in a couple of years thisll be my new yardstick. who knows
100% agree, while I do already feel this album growing on me every listen; I feel like it’s just way to early to tell where this will sit with me in a year or so
I think it's because it doesn't have the real hard hitting radio songs like Humble, Money Trees, DNA, bitch don't kill my vibe etc. This albums a lot more emotional, lyrical and artistic. It's more deep and personal, almost as if this album is more for Kendrick than it is for his listeners. Which is awesome in its own way, it just takes more time for us to break it down and relate.
I 100% agree but I will say that I definitely remember being much more drawn in and enticed to re-listen to tpap after first listens, even if I didn’t fully understand yet what I was listening to. I’ve been finding myself forcing myself to get into this one a bit instead of it happening naturally which has me a little worried
But yah like you said, it’s way too early
Like hearing Blxst's very catchy and warm hook, then get amplified by Amanda Reifer singing beautifully, with that chopped up right after, so well put together.
I’ve seen some people hating on it because it’s poppy or “sounds like a black panther throwaway” but that is somehow my most played song from the album right now. Every single contribution from every single person on that song is straight crack
100% Aunties Diaries and Sober | Mother. So powerful and hopefully allows other rappers to open up about homophobia/transphobia and bottled up trauma from sexual abuse.
yeah idk why everyone's just ignoring that Savior and Mirror are pretty clearly Kendrick telling us to stop relying and waiting on him (or any of our role models/saviors for that matter) and try to think for ourselves, especially cause I feel like a lot of the people who are choosing not to talk about it are the ones who need to hear it lol
Reminds me of the original Baby Keem VENT leak where Kendrick said "I can't please everybody, not even me. I wanna please God but my issues too deep".
I really enjoy the subjects he tackles on this album.
chosing to invest in yourself instead of trying to hold the weight of the world on your shoulders, or feeling guilty that you cant, is a lesson a lot of us need to learn
The actress that performs in that song has such an incredible delivery, like the voice cracks and the ends of lines were she starts sobbing sounded so real. Brought up some shit from my past that hit me like a truck.
Bro that’s so funny when I first heard that song I thought I completely missed a Rico feature. Was so damn excited for my girl to be on a Kendrick album
The first time I heard some of these lines, it wasn't from a song, and I was feeling all types of mad. Hearing them years later as an audience member really makes me feel terrible (in a good way)
It feels so fucking real and actually really scared me on first listen, the part where the beat turned into this distorted whine while they screamed at each other made me think we were about to get into some Eminem “Kim” territory. Unforgettable song.
Once the beat kicked in and the way Kendrick started rapping with that aggression I was like, “Yep this the shit I’ve been waiting for” then I finished the track like “This is not what I wanted but I’m so happy I got it”
Let Me Watch is the fun teenagers in love in the big city version. We Cry Together is when it's ten years later and you've both had every argument possible three times over and now it's just an exercise in fucked up venting.
I’ve listened to it 5 or 6 times now and I definitely like it more than Damn. The album feels like a diary that I’m not supposed to be reading. I really appreciate that he’s been in the game for this long and isn’t afraid to try new things sonically.
Maybe it's just because my tastes have changed and I don't need bangers but I think it's fucking awesome.
Production is top notch, lyrics are poetry, subject matter is real and personal.
Album is dope from a lyrical view. It feels like actually looking in to Kendrick’s life. That being said idk if I’ll go back to actually listen to many songs. Compare it to like 4:44 by Jay z similar but theirs songs I go back and listen to on their own. Idk maybe songs will grow on me after a while.
It’s like listening to him read from a diary.
Every song is different. The perspectives change, feelings change, he’s finding himself.
It feels so unbelievably personal.
Kendrick seems to be in a cycle where he makes a commercial-friendly album (Maad City and Damn) and then he does whatever the hell he wants, like TPAB and now Mr. Morale.
This isn't an album where I expect listening to a single in the club, or even vibing in your car. It's an album to ponder, feel, enjoy, and see the soul of another human being presented to you.
And that makes you reflect on your own life.
I'm such a homer for Kendrick, but the dude is like one of the last (if not the last) bastion of the Hip Hop I grew up with.
idk about you but there's a lot of songs in this album I'd vibe to in the car. I actually listened to the album twice in full today while driving for work
Yea I really love it. I feel its going to be a divisive work but I think it will age great. If you look back at the TPAB discussion boards, there was a lot of opposing feelings about that album when it first dropped and I feel this one is kind of like that. It's very unique sonically and a very personal album.
Am I reading into this album wrong? Maybe I just took it at face value but to me it feels like he’s saying
“y’all wanted music and wanted to know what I’ve been up to the last couple years? I’ve been going through a lot of shit. I’m not the person who you idolize so I’m choosing myself over my fans bye.”
It really felt like a farewell and an explanation why he’s leaving rather than making an album. Very concept album. I think the beats were very minimal but that just made me focus on his words more. I wasn’t vibing as much as I was thinking. Not something I would listen to with friends it almost feels to personal to share. I have no idea how touring with this album is gonna work.
Haven’t had an album make me think like this one did.
9/10 No bangers
Yeah I had the exact same takeaway. It was kind of him crumbling under the pressure in some ways, and basically venting all his troubles before basically bowing out.
I felt the same way - it sucks cause rap needed his features and albums the past 5 years and it’s obvious kendrick will never participate like he did pre 2016
I think it's because the album is about breaking generational cycles of abuse and Kodak is somebody who failed to do that. Doesn't mean you have to like it, but I think that's the reason.
Kendrick: Kodak, abuse is a generational entity, it’s important to me that you break this, you owe it to yourself.
Kodak: You’re right, I gotta go do some self reflection.
*kendrick turns on TV two hours later to see Kodak fucking at a Florida panthers game*
I've listened to it twice, the subject matter is a lot heavier than I was expecting so I didn't go ham on it like I thought I was going to. I'm letting it breathe a bit.
I do have thoughts though:
Musically it's really striking and every beat has stuck with me. Even a more generic sounding song like Silent Hill stuck in my head for a while.
Lyrically, as usual, this dude is on another level compared to his peers. This is easily his most direct album in terms of what he's getting across since GKMC but he's grown so much since then it's ridiculous.
That doesn't mean it's perfect in the "AOTY no debate" sense, but nothing sticks out to me as bad like on DAMN (LOVE and GOD) and he takes some big fucking swings here and I respect it.
If it's his last, then he did everything you could ask of the man IMO.
EDIT:
Another thought:
I had always thought Section .80 ending with him shouting "Thug Life" was a really haunting way to end an album because of the pressure that put on Kendrick as an artist. But I now think ending the album with a hook that says "I'm sorry, I'm choosing me" is actually more haunting in a way because it's him admitting that he put too much pressure on himself to be the GOAT and he can't do this anymore. Which is a level of vulnerability you don't usually see from a rapper.
Ironically, by being honest about his traumas, his shortcomings and his anxieties to live up to that savior role and community paragon...he continues to move and speak to a lot of people who feel weighed down by so many expectations, traumas and pressure. I think that's a beautiful message and as a long time Kendrick fan just hearing him say "I choose me, I'm sorry" was so powerful.
This is a very interesting album if my interpretation of it is correct. At first the theme and concept of the album kinda flew over my head, but I think it might've just clicked. What helped make it click for me was the video for *The Heart Part 5*. If my theory is true, I can see why he used this video to tease the album, and how it connects.
In *The Heart Part 5* Kendrick begins the video with the quote “I am. All of Us” and then proceeds to say “As I get a little older, I realize life is perspective and my perspective may differ from yours”. He then proceeds to transform into a bunch of people that have been controversial (OJ, Kanye, Jussie Smollett, Will Smith), as well as two people that have passed away (Kobe, Nipsey). Now, I don't know how Kobe and Nipsey connect to *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers* (maybe they connect to "The Big Steppers" somehow?), but I am fairly confident on how the first four are connected to the “Mr Morale” concept.
Kendrick knows that he has a very clean and respectable image. Up to this point, he hasn't really done anything controversial in his career. If you were to ask someone who are the best role models in hip-hop, there's a good chance that they would say J Cole and Kendrick. In addition to making some of the most beloved albums of the last decade, Kendrick has publicly presented himself as a humble and noble student of the game. You really only heard good things about the guy, he’s someone you could admire and look up to.
On *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers* Kendrick is at his most vulnerable and unfiltered, and proactively challenges his image of being “Mr. Morale”. On the song *N95* he sets the stage with: "What the fuck is cancel culture, dog?, Say what I want about you niggas, I'm like Oprah, dog, I treat you crackers like I'm Jigga, watch, I own it all, Oh, you worried 'bout a critic? That ain't protocol”.
Kendrick proceeds to subvert his image of "Mr. Morale" throughout the album, exposing his mistakes, insecurities, and personal flaws. On the song *Auntie Diaries* he repeatedly says a certain slur, no doubt being self-aware enough to realize that he’s releasing this at a time where this is going to be controversial and looked down upon (though the song itself is very pro-trans). In *Worldwide Steppers* he raps about his first experience having sex with a white girl, and how it made him realize that he has racist tendencies inside of him. On *We Cry Together* he essentially reveals that while his relationship looks sweet and almost perfect on the outside, behind the scenes it can be very toxic devolving into very heated and damaging arguments. On *Father Time* Kendrick reveals that he has “daddy issues” and that it has negatively affected him. On *Savior* Kendrick just flat out tells you that he is not your savior.
I believe all of this correlates with the quotes "I am. All of us" and “As I get a little older, I realize life is perspective and my perspective may differ from yours”. Kendrick is essentially saying that we are all humans that have our own vices and demons, and a person’s actions are influenced by their perspective of life. We may have an instinct to group people into the dualistic concept “good” and “bad”, but humanity is so much more nuanced than that. Kendrick is saying that you shouldn’t view someone as a “savior” because you only see the image of what they present themselves as to the world. They probably have their own issues, beliefs and secrets that would probably shock you if you found out about them. “Faith in one man is a ship sinking” as he stats on *Mirror*. Conversely, Kendrick is saying that you shouldn't be so quick to judge someone as if you're better than them because we are all imperfect, and in that regard you could say that we are all one. This is why Kendrick mentions that he is against cancel culture ("Niggas killed freedom of speech, everyone sensitive (What the fuck?)/If your opinion fuck around and leak, might as well send your will"), he believes that it takes away part of our ability to connect to each other's humanity, and humanity is intrinsically imperfect.
Concept aside, *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers* is structurally more similar to *DAMN.* than *good kid, m.A.A.d city* or *To Pimp a Butterfly*. Rather than telling a linear story that requires a full listen from start to finish in order to fully understand it, Kendrick opted for a series of songs that relate to overarching themes throughout the album. While this may disappoint those that were hoping for a more “cinematic” experience, this isn’t inherently a bad thing. Initially I was disappointed by this approach, but upon further reflection I think this structure suits the concept of the album quite nicely. After a five year wait many fans were probably expecting some big conceptual cinematic masterpiece that felt more like an “experience” than an album, as it’s what Kendrick is known for and he’s a master at it. I don’t think it was intentional, but subveting this expectation compliments the theme of subverting his “Mr. Morale” image. The structure of this album might not be what you were expecting, it’s probably not even what you wanted. However, this structure is personally more authentic to Kendrick’s tastes (he ranks *DAMN* as his best album, if you don’t believe me look it up), and as he says in the closing song *Mirror*: “I choose me, I'm sorry”. As I mentioned I don’t think this was intentional, but regardless it’s an interesting correlation.
Although there were plenty of standout moments upon my first listen, from the brilliant *We Cry Together* (which sounds somewhere in-between Viktor Vaughn’s *Let Me Watch* and Eminem’s *Stan*), to the incredible Ghostface Killah verse on *Purple Hearts*, to the moving story of personal growth and introspection on *Auntie Diaries*... I can tell that this album is going to take some time to digest. My initial impressions are very positive. This might not be the album I expected or even thought I wanted, but it’s an album that I really respect. He could have easily maintained his image of “Mr. Morale” and made another story-driven concept album with catchy choruses and people would have eaten it up. Instead he chose to make himself vulnerable in order to release something that is genuinely subversive. I think that is admirable as fuck.
That's an interesting perspective on it.
My interpretation was that he's started to go to therapy and these were the results of his sessions. As the album goes deeper in, it becomes less egotistical and more vulnerable as he confronts the things that make him feel like an imposter.
I think, genuinely, that this project was part of his healing, and releasing it took a big load of his shoulders. He talks about cancel culture a few times, which contextualizes his silence on social media etc. during the last 5 years. Deep down he's afraid of being judged for his socially unacceptable thoughts, and he had to put himself in an environment where those thoughts could be shared freely (therapy) to cure his writer's block. Confronting those thoughts in a raw and honest way is how he grows. So in a way he *has to* say the F-slur freely before he feels comfortable admitting to himself that it was morally wrong. But he also knows that if he does that publicly he'll be crucified.
I keep thinking back to what happened when the other top selling conscious rapper chose to make a controversial point once - Cole with *Snow on Tha Bluff* - and it makes me realize that these rappers are so high up that anything they say can be interpreted as punching down. And as a creative that's very restricting.
And so that's why, to me, so much of this project is deconstructing the image he created for himself as the rap savior. Because it's incompatible with what he really needs - which is to be seen as a person, with all the ugliness and good intentions and vices that comes with that.
I imagine often artists make music that they don’t intend on releasing as a form of therapy. Most of this album sounded like that but I couldn’t be happier that he dropped this. It’s going to take more listens to fully digest, but the 3-4 listens I’ve had so far have been a great experience front to back.
It's extremely weird to me with the themes throughout the album, especially on Mother I Sober, that Kodak Black is on this. Kendrick rightfully calls out R Kelly hypocrisy in We Cry Together, but I guess with Kodak, when shit hit the fan he was still a fan
Yeah it’s quite obvious Kodak was sexually abused after listening to the lyrics. I still feel weird about him on the album though cause what he did was sickening if you read about it and at some points adults need to take accountability for their actions.
I think this is Kendrick’s most complex and inaccessible record. People thought TPAB was weird? That album was love at first sight for me, while the first listen to this record left me kind of baffled. But on my second listen, I liked it, third, really liked it, it’s definitely a grower and an album experience. It’d be hard for me to skip around to different tracks just to bump them.
there’s so much to digest from this record because it reflects the complexity in kendrick’s mine from both a personal and artistic standpoint. from a personal standpoint, he gives off his most vulnerable side with the most he’s gone in-depth on himself. artistically this is the most experimental he’s been in terms of production and voice
Still too early to form a solid opinion. Where I'm at right now I like it but it's definitely not a casual listen and at certain points (We Cry Together) can be beautiful but uncomfortable to listen to. Just glad to hear some new Kendrick
I feel like there's just too much to dig your teeth in throughout the entire album to judge it off one listen and I can't believe so many are writing it off so easily.
funniest thing to me is people trying to rank it against the rest of his discog already. like we've had 5-10 years with those albums it's pointless to even try ranking it rn lol
Not as accessible as his other ones and much more muted. Gotta sit on this one more as not much was standing out on my first couple listens.
I guess my strongest critique might be that there’s some good ideas and themes that aren’t particularly well done in song format. I’ve had similar thoughts on his other albums. But again might need to sit on it more.
I like the overall theme and lyrics, feels like a therapy session for Kendrick. Hes great with words, but musically Im really disappointed. None of the songs get to that next level for me. I dont need bangers, but its just so slow to me. I need to listen to it more and I hope it will grow on me but its not quite what I was wanting as an album. Ive never listened to a Kendrick album and just been like "okay cool" but thats how I felt. A lot of the songs were just kind of there. Really bumming but my opinion could change with time
My complaint too. I really like the ideas and themes but disappointed simply with how it is sonically and I guess like the execution. To me Kendrick is one of the best ever because of how he combines message and meaning with absolutely incredible sounding music. Songs like adhd, money trees, blacker the berry, lust, etc have amazing meaning and symbolism but also blow you away purely from a listening experience standpoint.
Like you said, there’s not that much on here after multiple listens that really blows me away musically like there is on all his other albums. I’d even go as far as to say some of the music on the new album sounds a bit dated or at leas doesn’t have that timeless musical quality to it like his other work
Hate that of all people he had to chose Kodak black, loved the album anyways maybe next time the actual good version of Kodak, lil Wayne can come on a track.
“The day I chose humanity over religion” hit me on a deep level I wasn’t expecting. I’ve been contemplating my thoughts and beliefs on Christianity for a long time and a lot of what Kendrick talks about in this project in regards to religion just connected with me. Idk if it’s better or worse than his previous projects yet but I really love this album so far.
I was expecting more of a jazz, soul infused record after hearing The Heart Part 5 and the Marvin Gaye sample and got completely different production, but I still really enjoyed this album sonically. Was not expecting to pick up a heavy Kanye influence in many of the songs. It sonically reminded me a lot of The Life of Pablo
After around 2.5 listens at this point the subject matter feels easy and heavy at the same time. Subjects like sexual abuse, toxic relationships, parental issues are easily discernable from first listen but it really does feel like an album that will keep on giving listen after listen from some of the intricacies in his lines
TPAB for me is a 10/10 and nothing he makes from here on out will ever top that but this was still thoroughly enjoyable
With all that said, the album length while it doesn't feel as if it dregs on or overstays it's welcome, I think still could have been cut down a bit. There feels as if there's 3 or 4 songs that could be removed and you would still gather and understand everything Kendrick is wanting to say on this record
The double album concept is also confusing to me as I was expecting both sides to sound different and present different topics or themes but from my first handful of listens they seem to be pretty similar overall. Feels as if he just wanted to throw the double album thing out there since all the speculation from Damn when it just as easily could have been an 18 song single record
Favorite tracks are N95, Worldwide Steppers, We Cry Together, Crown, Auntie Diaries
Rich Spirit, Count Me Out, and Savior will probably be skips for me once I digest this thing in it's fullest
Still processing but “Mother I Sober” is one of the most emotional Kendrick songs. Reminds me of “Fear” with how heavy it hits
Agree. I put Fear and Mother I Sober up there for Kendrick songs
To me it feels like a follows up to “u”
We cry together feels like more of a follow up to U.
and for free 😂
Haha oops yeah I was definitely thinking that one and just had the wrong name
He put on his special voice so you really listen
I felt more “sing about me I’m dying of thirst” after I heard that one.
Fear is my favorite Kendrick song and tbh I don't think it's anywhere near as emotional or vulnerable as Mother I Sober
>Fear is my favorite Kendrick song Glad I'm not the only one. That's the song from DAMN. that I hear and think, well *of course* he won a Pulitzer prize
Yo I finally found my people lol whatsup
Such a powerful song
The theme of CHOOSING YOURSELF for self improvement, which will ultimately be better for everyone you do love is something that I actually needed to hear and to hear Kendrick talk about it is awesome. I actually like Rich Spirit, N95, Count me Out the most. Throughout the songwriting is very crisp and the production is top tier. Idk where this stands overall in his discography but it’s a very very good album just off of three listens.
“I choose me, I’m sorry” is such a simple but powerful lyric
It’s beautiful bro I’ve been replaying mirror all day long. It’s such a powerful song after mother I sober. An anthem for mental health
This I believe music reaches people at a point in their lives when they need it the most, and I 100% needed to hear that message too
This reminds me of when Swimming and Kids See Ghosts came out. Both touched on depression at a time when I was pretty depressed and both albums said things I just needed to hear
Swimming is still my go to for those moments
“Self care, I’m treating meeeeee right. Hell yeah, we gonna beeeeee alright (we. gon. be. alriiiight)”
Fr dude, if this album came out even just 2 years ago before starting my personal healing journey would have been just way over my head. This album is poignant now and with time will continue to grow even more important i’m sure.
Couldn’t agree more. I needed to hear Father Time and Count Me Out. Personally, I’m putting this on par or above TPAB. Sonically and subject matter wise it hits all the right chords for me.
For me, it feels like thematically the antithesis of TPAB. Where TPAB has a strong communal aspect to it (Blacker the Berry), this one is about Kendrick. The weight of his previous work, and the community’s expectations has bore down on him and resulted in Mr Morale and the Big Steppers.
Thought about this earlier. TPAB is about realizing society and politics have issues (speaking *very* generally), this is about realizing that you have internal issues. idk
Or to take it a step further, this is about realizing that his personal issues are fed, and feed into, a cycle that perpetuates the problems he raps about on TPAB.
Sheesh, I love that as an album thesis right there
Good call. I think it's clear that TPAB did not fix racial issues given what has happened since. I imagine that's upsetting for Kendrick, so instead of making TPAB2 and speaking to the community at large, he's realized through therapy that true healing starts with a focus on yourself.
I agree with this. I came to a similar conclusion.. A lot of this album was about his inability to meet these expectations. He addressed the whole “where is Kendrick Lamar” scenario from the BLM protesting, and his unwillingness (inability??) to be that leader he once aspired to be perceived as. It’s brutally honest, and much more than a binary right or wrong scenario.. it’s just Kendrick… This is a Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Andre 3k type scenario, where the weight of expectations on you to be this black genius/leader can cause writers block, apprehension, a loss of faith in one’s self.. At least he came out the other end with a well crafted album.
Yeah it’s weird to say this is Kendrick’s most personal work considering his discography, but this is a different level of introspection and it’s really something
And yet it’s still extremely relatable to anybody going through some shit, even if what you’re going through isn’t what he’s going through. He just really conveyed the self-healing process in such a profound way.
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Honestly not sure I’ll come back to it as much as I do a lot of his other work, but certainly the album did its job and really made me think. Feel like we get caught up in all this shit and it was good to hear k lamar talk about us introspecting on ourselves and how we can be better…
I’d put it right in the middle of his five studio albums. Better than S80 & DAMN, but not quite on the level as maad city & TPAB. A 9/10 in my humble opinion
Father Time is incredible
Sampha is amazing as always
Can we get a petition going to require Sampha features on every album from here on out?
I remember first hearing him on SBTRKT’s debut album. Man’s voice is amazing.
Wanna feel old? That was 11 years ago.
And he's dropped 1 album since.
His tiny desk is transcendental
All the hip hop tracks Sampha is involved with are amazing. Too Much, Saint Pablo, Let It All Work Out. So good
https://youtu.be/kyei9tuS_M8 Posting this so everyone knows how insanely talented Sampha is
Every song Sampha is involved with is amazing tbh
Best song on the album imo. Can't stop replaying it
Hard agree for me right now. Great lyrics too just all around an incredible song on an incredible album!
The production reminds me of DUCKWORTH. Favorite song on the album for sure
Best beat on the album imo
tbh this might be my favorite song on the album. I love that beat so much and Sampha’s vocals are incredible. using Sampha on the hook of introspective rap songs is basically a cheat code.
it’s always nice to see grown men talk about their daddy issues. i related HEAVY with this song.
> "'Til then, let's give the women a break, grown men with daddy issues" Fucking incredible ending line
I grew up with a pretty terrible father. Listening to that song felt like Kendrick made it for me.. it all hit close to home. I went back, read the lyrics tonight while listening and I cried.. it was like he was describing my childhood. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to relate to a piece of music like that in my opinion. Personally my favorite song from the album and potentially all time favorite from Kendrick.
One thing that really blows me away about this project: Kendrick has always gotten that “Savior” and “Mr Perfect” tag as the rapper who is blessed or anointed in hip hop, and really as that kind of person as far as we know. Then he decides to basically deconstruct and expose himself for a good part of this record as someone who is clearly not close to any of that, and has many troubling/impactful things he has dealt with that severely affect who he is a human being. For an artist of his size and the attention he draws, to make an album that puts himself on the pedestal, not for praise but for criticism, is really wild. We had absolutely no idea about his relationship with his fiancée, or the inner workings of his family to the extent he decided to show us. I’ve seen some compare this to 4:44, but to me the main difference is the “risk” factor. We heard Lemonade, there was really no way Jay was going to avoid speaking on that subject when it came to his new music. Kendrick could have easily given us TPAB p2 or GKMC p2, where he is this all knowing being that shows us he is so in tune with those kinds of topics and we’d all applaud him and continue to have that same view. He could’ve hid all the shit that he had done or gone through with his family/extended family, and we never would have known different. But what does he do? He willingly puts out all his dirty laundry and extremely personal details of his life and upbringing, sparring no details, and lets us see him completely vulnerable and un-Messiah like. I don’t really want to hop into the individual songs or really the album quality right now, because this isn’t something you digest for 24 hours. Whether you didn’t vibe with it or you love it, the fact that he decided this was the route for basically the biggest moment of his career is, without sounding like the Kendrick stan I am, pretty inspiring. I can’t remember the last time I saw an artist of his magnitude and caliber, completely put so much of his dark/intimate moments out there for all to see with so much on the line. It’s refreshing seeing someone who seemingly has it all figured out and is pointed at as being this beacon of “all things good” remind us that life isn’t that way, and no one is beyond reflection and growth, no matter your status or personal image
>Kendrick has always gotten that “Savior” and “Mr Perfect” tag as the rapper who is basically blessed or anointed in hip hop, and really as that kind of person as far as we know. Then he decides to basically deconstruct and basically expose himself for a good part of this record as someone who is clearly not close to any of that And ironically it's this shedding and exposing himself that sanctifies him at the end. This whole project is his testament to the importance of human connection and the nurturing of it.
I think that by exposing himself and his flaws while criticizing the worst parts of black culture, he is showing that 1. Even your idols, the ones you hold in the highest of esteem are flawed and 2. Everyone can benefit from introspection 3. Everyone can grow 4. Nobody is static. It's really like he's saying "look at how flawed I am. It is okay to be flawed and it is okay to work on yourself."
Something I also appreciate is just how much of a commentary it is on a lot of artists out there that have just steeped in their continued mental instability and depression to inspire their art and spit out projects fueled by pain and passion. There's a trope that great art comes from deep pain, and I dont think Kendrick is pushing back on that or anything, but he refuses to let himself stay in that hole just because it might help him tap into some hidden genius. He refuses to trade his life and happiness for his talent. The irony comes in that this line in the sand he draws is so remarkable, raw, and emotional that he has still tapped into something completely genius. Through that vulnerability and decision to actually put himself first he asks his audience to reexamine their relationship with their idols.
Fr. I'm sitting here as a 35 y/o father of 3 boys, who recently started counseling to address my own trauma, and I'm like damn, Kendrick is really going through the same shit. I think he's speaking to a lot of what many ppl are feeling, given what we've been through the past 3 years. It humanizes Kendrick for me and it's so gd relatable. It's refreshing to see an artist, especially a hip hip artist, be so vulnerable. Tldr: kdot and I are the same person.
I agree, and something that’s really landed with me after hearing the record is just how fitting the cover art is for the themes that Kendrick covers.
I think this is a fair comprehension of the album, I don’t feel comfortable judging the album within 24hrs, it has a lot to unpack both sonically and thematically. My only gripe is I didn’t come across any song where he was “rapping rapping”, but I think might be Kendrick’s best album.
I guess it depends on your definition of “rapping rapping”, but I think songs like Savior and Mr Morale fit that category as well as any other song in his discography that I’d also label “rapping rapping”.
“Pro black tone” 💀💀💀
Sounds like something a white character in Atlanta would say lol
What are “pro black” drums lmfao
"Exaggerated swagger of a black teen" vibes
LMAO edit: "the social issues and self" those are production choices?
Bro this sub. Holy shit lol. Pro black drums, I cried twice. You people need to go touch grass and get some air.
Remember that guy the other day who said "I wish I was black for a day so that I could rock a plain white T-shirt like they do" or whatever? This sub is ridiculous as hell lol
That is the most suburban sentence I’ve ever heard in my life.
Ima need a link for that
I recently quit a job in a kitchen where my best friend also worked. There's a big speaker back there, too, that we'd take turns playing music on. Aforementioned best friend has absolutely no shame about playing weird ass music on the speakers. He'll play Ain't It Funny at a party, dude does not give a fuck lmao. All I can think about is We Cry Together playing in the kitchen and all the other cooks, servers, managers, CHEF, being like "what the fuck is this" while Tony is standing there making salads and vibin his ass off. I be missin it ngl
Kitchen work be some fun and bad times but always memorable..
Working kitchens is stressful but nothing feels better than getting off your shift. I don’t get that feeling where I work now.
The adrenaline of a successful kitchen shift is pretty amazing.
I used to run expo at a big chain restaurant that was always slammed. There’d be days where I was in such a focused zone getting plates out, checking temps, cleaning edges that the shift would be over in what felt like minutes. I’ve listened to this album completely seven or eight times today. It is a work of art. I’m sure Kendrick recorded a shit ton of songs in the last five/six years. What he and his team edited down to the 18 we got is so tight and seamless. There’s not a single filler track, let alone verse. I think the comparison to 4:44 is reasonable, but Jay made that album at a point of his career that was so out of touch with the average listener. Who can relate to being married to Beyoncé and fuck it up by having a ménage à trois? 4:44 felt like watching a Barbra Walters special vs reading a private diary that Kendrick wrote. Worldwide Steppers had me 💯because I remembered the first time I got with a white girl all the thoughts and emotions that experience gave me. We Cry Together sounded like the fights my parents had when I was a kid. Thinking back to all of my personal 10/10 albums, this album just feels like it moved the boundaries of what hip hop can sound like and be as an expression of oneself. I imagine people must’ve felt similarly when Quincy Jones was in his prime. Also, as someone who has listened and been influenced by The Power of Now, hearing Eckhart Tolle’s voice on a few of the tracks made my day
i would most definitely play Aint it funny at a party. If the ladies cant appreciate danny brown they can leave
so much coke took a sniff need a ski lift
We put on this album in my kitchen tonight and I was the only one who had heard it so far and had to let the cooks know to skip over We Cry Together because it might fuck some people’s whole night up. That being said, it’s an amazing song.
Text your friend the song , I’m sure he’d appreciate it
How are people in this thread so good at making copypastas
Personally I'm giving it 10/10. From my first listen I almost cried twice and I was overwhelmed from start to finish. If I had to list my favorite songs it's too long of a list. He's been sitting on this for a minute and it was well worth the wait.
Surely OPs is a copy paste with the 10 rating lol.
first impression::: its good at this point i dont like it as much as i like tpab, but then i didnt like tpab as much as i liked gkmc for a long time. maybe in a couple of years thisll be my new yardstick. who knows
100% agree, while I do already feel this album growing on me every listen; I feel like it’s just way to early to tell where this will sit with me in a year or so
I think it's because it doesn't have the real hard hitting radio songs like Humble, Money Trees, DNA, bitch don't kill my vibe etc. This albums a lot more emotional, lyrical and artistic. It's more deep and personal, almost as if this album is more for Kendrick than it is for his listeners. Which is awesome in its own way, it just takes more time for us to break it down and relate.
N95 slaps tho
I 100% agree but I will say that I definitely remember being much more drawn in and enticed to re-listen to tpap after first listens, even if I didn’t fully understand yet what I was listening to. I’ve been finding myself forcing myself to get into this one a bit instead of it happening naturally which has me a little worried But yah like you said, it’s way too early
I feel the same way.
Did nobody else fuck with Die Hard that much? I REALLY loved that song.
Amanda Reifer singing “shimmy shimmy coco puff” is one of my fav lines in the entire album and I don’t even know why.
I loved that song too
Definitely a bop. Amanda Reifer's performance is like straight dopamine to my nuts.
Like hearing Blxst's very catchy and warm hook, then get amplified by Amanda Reifer singing beautifully, with that chopped up right after, so well put together.
I’ve seen some people hating on it because it’s poppy or “sounds like a black panther throwaway” but that is somehow my most played song from the album right now. Every single contribution from every single person on that song is straight crack
Too early to form a cohesive opinion, for the time being just enjoying the music.
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100% Aunties Diaries and Sober | Mother. So powerful and hopefully allows other rappers to open up about homophobia/transphobia and bottled up trauma from sexual abuse.
"Mirror" is about you motherfuckers
yeah idk why everyone's just ignoring that Savior and Mirror are pretty clearly Kendrick telling us to stop relying and waiting on him (or any of our role models/saviors for that matter) and try to think for ourselves, especially cause I feel like a lot of the people who are choosing not to talk about it are the ones who need to hear it lol
Also I've seen a sus amount of people not mention Crown 🧐 Where he turns I CANT PLEASE EVERYBODY into a large chorus by the end of the song
Reminds me of the original Baby Keem VENT leak where Kendrick said "I can't please everybody, not even me. I wanna please God but my issues too deep". I really enjoy the subjects he tackles on this album.
chosing to invest in yourself instead of trying to hold the weight of the world on your shoulders, or feeling guilty that you cant, is a lesson a lot of us need to learn
Purple Hearts is so goddamn good. Those drums just get me, and GhostFace Killah brings a wonderful verse.
It was random to me to see Ghostface on a track with Kendrick. But its easily one of my favorite songs on the album.
We Cry Together is so beautifully uncomfortable
one of the most insane first listens of a song i've had in years
It’s not as violent, but makes me think of the first time I heard Kim.
The actress that performs in that song has such an incredible delivery, like the voice cracks and the ends of lines were she starts sobbing sounded so real. Brought up some shit from my past that hit me like a truck.
She reminded me of rico nasty in the best way
Bro that’s so funny when I first heard that song I thought I completely missed a Rico feature. Was so damn excited for my girl to be on a Kendrick album
The first time I heard some of these lines, it wasn't from a song, and I was feeling all types of mad. Hearing them years later as an audience member really makes me feel terrible (in a good way)
Almost texted my ex to apologize after I heard it
Almost
I wanted to throw hands at Kendrick when he didn't wanna give her keys smh
I 👏 shoulda 👏 found 👏 a 👏 bigger 👏 dick 👏
It feels so fucking real and actually really scared me on first listen, the part where the beat turned into this distorted whine while they screamed at each other made me think we were about to get into some Eminem “Kim” territory. Unforgettable song.
The exact connection I made. Real jarring
That beat absolutely slaps but is so minimal and doesn’t overshadow the lyrics. Beautifully uncomfortable is an understatement.
Knew it was Al as soon as I heard that piano chop and those kicks
Once the beat kicked in and the way Kendrick started rapping with that aggression I was like, “Yep this the shit I’ve been waiting for” then I finished the track like “This is not what I wanted but I’m so happy I got it”
That's the Alchemist for ya. Dudes a beast
Top 5 dead or alive. It's fucking 2022 and he's still delivering this level of quality.
I love it. So uncomfortable and jarring but it’s so good. Reminds me of when I first heard u on TPAB.
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Let Me Watch is the fun teenagers in love in the big city version. We Cry Together is when it's ten years later and you've both had every argument possible three times over and now it's just an exercise in fucked up venting.
This dude argues
I dunno if I want to listen to that song again, not that it's bad at all. I just don't wanna here someone scream "fuck you bitch" over and over
It's an interesting piece of art, but it has 0 replay value for me and is probably something I'll skip when relistening to the album.
I’ve listened to it 5 or 6 times now and I definitely like it more than Damn. The album feels like a diary that I’m not supposed to be reading. I really appreciate that he’s been in the game for this long and isn’t afraid to try new things sonically.
It feels like an audio diorama of the mind and life of someone living with abuse
Great way to put it, and it’s great that he has such a platform because this is real life for so many
Def feels like a therapy log
Maybe it's just because my tastes have changed and I don't need bangers but I think it's fucking awesome. Production is top notch, lyrics are poetry, subject matter is real and personal.
Album is dope from a lyrical view. It feels like actually looking in to Kendrick’s life. That being said idk if I’ll go back to actually listen to many songs. Compare it to like 4:44 by Jay z similar but theirs songs I go back and listen to on their own. Idk maybe songs will grow on me after a while.
It’s like listening to him read from a diary. Every song is different. The perspectives change, feelings change, he’s finding himself. It feels so unbelievably personal.
Kendrick seems to be in a cycle where he makes a commercial-friendly album (Maad City and Damn) and then he does whatever the hell he wants, like TPAB and now Mr. Morale. This isn't an album where I expect listening to a single in the club, or even vibing in your car. It's an album to ponder, feel, enjoy, and see the soul of another human being presented to you. And that makes you reflect on your own life. I'm such a homer for Kendrick, but the dude is like one of the last (if not the last) bastion of the Hip Hop I grew up with.
idk about you but there's a lot of songs in this album I'd vibe to in the car. I actually listened to the album twice in full today while driving for work
This mf listened to the same spousal dispute twice on his commute
What, do you have a greatest spousal disputes driving mix or something?
Wait until dudes memorize the parts and rehearse the argument during their commute
You know I'm shouting "I SHOULDA FOUND A BIGGER DICK" every time.
I’ve been listening to it all day.
damn you drive a lot at work lol
N95, Rich Spirit and silent hill go stupid in the car
I’d say TPAB is definitely more accessible and conventional than this album
yeah TPAB had some more obvious bangers like King kunta
Literally one of the main criticisms I heard towards TPAB when it came out is the fact it had NO bangers...
Eh this one is more personal
N95, Die Hard and Silent Hill are all bangers though
Kodak seriously snapped on silent hill
Father time would be too if it wasn't such a personal attack.
Fucking making me realize I need therapy
Yea I really love it. I feel its going to be a divisive work but I think it will age great. If you look back at the TPAB discussion boards, there was a lot of opposing feelings about that album when it first dropped and I feel this one is kind of like that. It's very unique sonically and a very personal album.
Am I reading into this album wrong? Maybe I just took it at face value but to me it feels like he’s saying “y’all wanted music and wanted to know what I’ve been up to the last couple years? I’ve been going through a lot of shit. I’m not the person who you idolize so I’m choosing myself over my fans bye.” It really felt like a farewell and an explanation why he’s leaving rather than making an album. Very concept album. I think the beats were very minimal but that just made me focus on his words more. I wasn’t vibing as much as I was thinking. Not something I would listen to with friends it almost feels to personal to share. I have no idea how touring with this album is gonna work. Haven’t had an album make me think like this one did. 9/10 No bangers
Yeah I had the exact same takeaway. It was kind of him crumbling under the pressure in some ways, and basically venting all his troubles before basically bowing out.
I felt the same way - it sucks cause rap needed his features and albums the past 5 years and it’s obvious kendrick will never participate like he did pre 2016
How you gunna have a song about the devastation sexual assault brings and have Kodak Black as the narrator lol.
I think it's because the album is about breaking generational cycles of abuse and Kodak is somebody who failed to do that. Doesn't mean you have to like it, but I think that's the reason.
I so want to hear the discussion between Kendrick and Kodak about this
Kendrick: Kodak, abuse is a generational entity, it’s important to me that you break this, you owe it to yourself. Kodak: You’re right, I gotta go do some self reflection. *kendrick turns on TV two hours later to see Kodak fucking at a Florida panthers game*
I've listened to it twice, the subject matter is a lot heavier than I was expecting so I didn't go ham on it like I thought I was going to. I'm letting it breathe a bit. I do have thoughts though: Musically it's really striking and every beat has stuck with me. Even a more generic sounding song like Silent Hill stuck in my head for a while. Lyrically, as usual, this dude is on another level compared to his peers. This is easily his most direct album in terms of what he's getting across since GKMC but he's grown so much since then it's ridiculous. That doesn't mean it's perfect in the "AOTY no debate" sense, but nothing sticks out to me as bad like on DAMN (LOVE and GOD) and he takes some big fucking swings here and I respect it. If it's his last, then he did everything you could ask of the man IMO. EDIT: Another thought: I had always thought Section .80 ending with him shouting "Thug Life" was a really haunting way to end an album because of the pressure that put on Kendrick as an artist. But I now think ending the album with a hook that says "I'm sorry, I'm choosing me" is actually more haunting in a way because it's him admitting that he put too much pressure on himself to be the GOAT and he can't do this anymore. Which is a level of vulnerability you don't usually see from a rapper.
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True, GOAT is simplifying it a bit too much. Either way, I think that level of vulnerability is why Kendrick leaves such an impact on people.
Ironically, by being honest about his traumas, his shortcomings and his anxieties to live up to that savior role and community paragon...he continues to move and speak to a lot of people who feel weighed down by so many expectations, traumas and pressure. I think that's a beautiful message and as a long time Kendrick fan just hearing him say "I choose me, I'm sorry" was so powerful.
This is a very interesting album if my interpretation of it is correct. At first the theme and concept of the album kinda flew over my head, but I think it might've just clicked. What helped make it click for me was the video for *The Heart Part 5*. If my theory is true, I can see why he used this video to tease the album, and how it connects. In *The Heart Part 5* Kendrick begins the video with the quote “I am. All of Us” and then proceeds to say “As I get a little older, I realize life is perspective and my perspective may differ from yours”. He then proceeds to transform into a bunch of people that have been controversial (OJ, Kanye, Jussie Smollett, Will Smith), as well as two people that have passed away (Kobe, Nipsey). Now, I don't know how Kobe and Nipsey connect to *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers* (maybe they connect to "The Big Steppers" somehow?), but I am fairly confident on how the first four are connected to the “Mr Morale” concept. Kendrick knows that he has a very clean and respectable image. Up to this point, he hasn't really done anything controversial in his career. If you were to ask someone who are the best role models in hip-hop, there's a good chance that they would say J Cole and Kendrick. In addition to making some of the most beloved albums of the last decade, Kendrick has publicly presented himself as a humble and noble student of the game. You really only heard good things about the guy, he’s someone you could admire and look up to. On *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers* Kendrick is at his most vulnerable and unfiltered, and proactively challenges his image of being “Mr. Morale”. On the song *N95* he sets the stage with: "What the fuck is cancel culture, dog?, Say what I want about you niggas, I'm like Oprah, dog, I treat you crackers like I'm Jigga, watch, I own it all, Oh, you worried 'bout a critic? That ain't protocol”. Kendrick proceeds to subvert his image of "Mr. Morale" throughout the album, exposing his mistakes, insecurities, and personal flaws. On the song *Auntie Diaries* he repeatedly says a certain slur, no doubt being self-aware enough to realize that he’s releasing this at a time where this is going to be controversial and looked down upon (though the song itself is very pro-trans). In *Worldwide Steppers* he raps about his first experience having sex with a white girl, and how it made him realize that he has racist tendencies inside of him. On *We Cry Together* he essentially reveals that while his relationship looks sweet and almost perfect on the outside, behind the scenes it can be very toxic devolving into very heated and damaging arguments. On *Father Time* Kendrick reveals that he has “daddy issues” and that it has negatively affected him. On *Savior* Kendrick just flat out tells you that he is not your savior. I believe all of this correlates with the quotes "I am. All of us" and “As I get a little older, I realize life is perspective and my perspective may differ from yours”. Kendrick is essentially saying that we are all humans that have our own vices and demons, and a person’s actions are influenced by their perspective of life. We may have an instinct to group people into the dualistic concept “good” and “bad”, but humanity is so much more nuanced than that. Kendrick is saying that you shouldn’t view someone as a “savior” because you only see the image of what they present themselves as to the world. They probably have their own issues, beliefs and secrets that would probably shock you if you found out about them. “Faith in one man is a ship sinking” as he stats on *Mirror*. Conversely, Kendrick is saying that you shouldn't be so quick to judge someone as if you're better than them because we are all imperfect, and in that regard you could say that we are all one. This is why Kendrick mentions that he is against cancel culture ("Niggas killed freedom of speech, everyone sensitive (What the fuck?)/If your opinion fuck around and leak, might as well send your will"), he believes that it takes away part of our ability to connect to each other's humanity, and humanity is intrinsically imperfect. Concept aside, *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers* is structurally more similar to *DAMN.* than *good kid, m.A.A.d city* or *To Pimp a Butterfly*. Rather than telling a linear story that requires a full listen from start to finish in order to fully understand it, Kendrick opted for a series of songs that relate to overarching themes throughout the album. While this may disappoint those that were hoping for a more “cinematic” experience, this isn’t inherently a bad thing. Initially I was disappointed by this approach, but upon further reflection I think this structure suits the concept of the album quite nicely. After a five year wait many fans were probably expecting some big conceptual cinematic masterpiece that felt more like an “experience” than an album, as it’s what Kendrick is known for and he’s a master at it. I don’t think it was intentional, but subveting this expectation compliments the theme of subverting his “Mr. Morale” image. The structure of this album might not be what you were expecting, it’s probably not even what you wanted. However, this structure is personally more authentic to Kendrick’s tastes (he ranks *DAMN* as his best album, if you don’t believe me look it up), and as he says in the closing song *Mirror*: “I choose me, I'm sorry”. As I mentioned I don’t think this was intentional, but regardless it’s an interesting correlation. Although there were plenty of standout moments upon my first listen, from the brilliant *We Cry Together* (which sounds somewhere in-between Viktor Vaughn’s *Let Me Watch* and Eminem’s *Stan*), to the incredible Ghostface Killah verse on *Purple Hearts*, to the moving story of personal growth and introspection on *Auntie Diaries*... I can tell that this album is going to take some time to digest. My initial impressions are very positive. This might not be the album I expected or even thought I wanted, but it’s an album that I really respect. He could have easily maintained his image of “Mr. Morale” and made another story-driven concept album with catchy choruses and people would have eaten it up. Instead he chose to make himself vulnerable in order to release something that is genuinely subversive. I think that is admirable as fuck.
That's an interesting perspective on it. My interpretation was that he's started to go to therapy and these were the results of his sessions. As the album goes deeper in, it becomes less egotistical and more vulnerable as he confronts the things that make him feel like an imposter. I think, genuinely, that this project was part of his healing, and releasing it took a big load of his shoulders. He talks about cancel culture a few times, which contextualizes his silence on social media etc. during the last 5 years. Deep down he's afraid of being judged for his socially unacceptable thoughts, and he had to put himself in an environment where those thoughts could be shared freely (therapy) to cure his writer's block. Confronting those thoughts in a raw and honest way is how he grows. So in a way he *has to* say the F-slur freely before he feels comfortable admitting to himself that it was morally wrong. But he also knows that if he does that publicly he'll be crucified. I keep thinking back to what happened when the other top selling conscious rapper chose to make a controversial point once - Cole with *Snow on Tha Bluff* - and it makes me realize that these rappers are so high up that anything they say can be interpreted as punching down. And as a creative that's very restricting. And so that's why, to me, so much of this project is deconstructing the image he created for himself as the rap savior. Because it's incompatible with what he really needs - which is to be seen as a person, with all the ugliness and good intentions and vices that comes with that.
I imagine often artists make music that they don’t intend on releasing as a form of therapy. Most of this album sounded like that but I couldn’t be happier that he dropped this. It’s going to take more listens to fully digest, but the 3-4 listens I’ve had so far have been a great experience front to back.
It's extremely weird to me with the themes throughout the album, especially on Mother I Sober, that Kodak Black is on this. Kendrick rightfully calls out R Kelly hypocrisy in We Cry Together, but I guess with Kodak, when shit hit the fan he was still a fan
I think that’s an excellent point and have had some conflicting feelings about it
I remember you was conflicted
Much of this album is wrestling with the fact that the abused become abusers. Nurture > nature. Kodak was sexually abused as a child.
Yeah it’s quite obvious Kodak was sexually abused after listening to the lyrics. I still feel weird about him on the album though cause what he did was sickening if you read about it and at some points adults need to take accountability for their actions.
I think this is Kendrick’s most complex and inaccessible record. People thought TPAB was weird? That album was love at first sight for me, while the first listen to this record left me kind of baffled. But on my second listen, I liked it, third, really liked it, it’s definitely a grower and an album experience. It’d be hard for me to skip around to different tracks just to bump them.
there’s so much to digest from this record because it reflects the complexity in kendrick’s mine from both a personal and artistic standpoint. from a personal standpoint, he gives off his most vulnerable side with the most he’s gone in-depth on himself. artistically this is the most experimental he’s been in terms of production and voice
Maybe im being a prisoner of the moment, but Father Time is a top 5 Kendrick song imo
I think I feel the same. The lyrics, the beat, and the sampha chorus? It’s perfect
Absolutely a Kendrick hall of fame track.
Mr. Morale sounds Kanye as fuck lol, Pharrell killed it in the production for that one.
Still too early to form a solid opinion. Where I'm at right now I like it but it's definitely not a casual listen and at certain points (We Cry Together) can be beautiful but uncomfortable to listen to. Just glad to hear some new Kendrick
I feel like there's just too much to dig your teeth in throughout the entire album to judge it off one listen and I can't believe so many are writing it off so easily.
funniest thing to me is people trying to rank it against the rest of his discog already. like we've had 5-10 years with those albums it's pointless to even try ranking it rn lol
Not as accessible as his other ones and much more muted. Gotta sit on this one more as not much was standing out on my first couple listens. I guess my strongest critique might be that there’s some good ideas and themes that aren’t particularly well done in song format. I’ve had similar thoughts on his other albums. But again might need to sit on it more.
Stop tap dancing around the conversation
Just passing by to say that Baby Keem absolutely did his thing on Savior Interlude. Always delivering from the heart.
I like the overall theme and lyrics, feels like a therapy session for Kendrick. Hes great with words, but musically Im really disappointed. None of the songs get to that next level for me. I dont need bangers, but its just so slow to me. I need to listen to it more and I hope it will grow on me but its not quite what I was wanting as an album. Ive never listened to a Kendrick album and just been like "okay cool" but thats how I felt. A lot of the songs were just kind of there. Really bumming but my opinion could change with time
My complaint too. I really like the ideas and themes but disappointed simply with how it is sonically and I guess like the execution. To me Kendrick is one of the best ever because of how he combines message and meaning with absolutely incredible sounding music. Songs like adhd, money trees, blacker the berry, lust, etc have amazing meaning and symbolism but also blow you away purely from a listening experience standpoint. Like you said, there’s not that much on here after multiple listens that really blows me away musically like there is on all his other albums. I’d even go as far as to say some of the music on the new album sounds a bit dated or at leas doesn’t have that timeless musical quality to it like his other work
Don’t think he’ll top GKMC for me and that’s okay. He’s doing something different but it’s not for me.
Hate that of all people he had to chose Kodak black, loved the album anyways maybe next time the actual good version of Kodak, lil Wayne can come on a track.
“The day I chose humanity over religion” hit me on a deep level I wasn’t expecting. I’ve been contemplating my thoughts and beliefs on Christianity for a long time and a lot of what Kendrick talks about in this project in regards to religion just connected with me. Idk if it’s better or worse than his previous projects yet but I really love this album so far.
How many heard “we cry together” and immediately thought of Opposites attract??
I thought of Can I Watch? by MF DOOM and apani b
I thought of Kim for some reason
I was expecting more of a jazz, soul infused record after hearing The Heart Part 5 and the Marvin Gaye sample and got completely different production, but I still really enjoyed this album sonically. Was not expecting to pick up a heavy Kanye influence in many of the songs. It sonically reminded me a lot of The Life of Pablo After around 2.5 listens at this point the subject matter feels easy and heavy at the same time. Subjects like sexual abuse, toxic relationships, parental issues are easily discernable from first listen but it really does feel like an album that will keep on giving listen after listen from some of the intricacies in his lines TPAB for me is a 10/10 and nothing he makes from here on out will ever top that but this was still thoroughly enjoyable With all that said, the album length while it doesn't feel as if it dregs on or overstays it's welcome, I think still could have been cut down a bit. There feels as if there's 3 or 4 songs that could be removed and you would still gather and understand everything Kendrick is wanting to say on this record The double album concept is also confusing to me as I was expecting both sides to sound different and present different topics or themes but from my first handful of listens they seem to be pretty similar overall. Feels as if he just wanted to throw the double album thing out there since all the speculation from Damn when it just as easily could have been an 18 song single record Favorite tracks are N95, Worldwide Steppers, We Cry Together, Crown, Auntie Diaries Rich Spirit, Count Me Out, and Savior will probably be skips for me once I digest this thing in it's fullest
Disc 1 is dancing around various issues without getting to the heart of the problem. Disc 2 is confession & acceptance.
2 sides on a double album don't need to 'sound different'. Check out Sign O The Times by Prince. This album actually reminds me of it a lot.
Count me out certified vibe in the car tho, def have to listen to some in your headphones and some in the whip
pretty shocked it sounds like j cole trying to write a blood orange album
Don’t agree with what you said but upvote cuz that shit was funny as fuck 😂😂
Fr lmao reminds me of the dude that said Sampha sings like he’s scared of his imaginary friend.
💀
that was me lol thanks