Kendrick Lamar, one of the most influential and acclaimed rappers of our time. And he has released his latest album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The new album by Kendrick Lamar came out on May 13, 2022, through pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records. Subsequently, the new album of Kendrick Lamar marks the follow-up to Kdot’s Pulitzer award-winning 2017 album DAMN.
The new Kendrick Lamar album is a 3-disks album with a total of 19 songs. Disks 1 and 2 have 9 songs each and disk 3 contains only one song. Additionally, Kendrick Lamar’s new album, Mr Morale and The Big Steppers is his fifth studio album. Mr Morale and The Big Steppers album is 1hr 18 minutes long.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers features guest appearances from some of the most popular names in hip-hop, such as his cousin Baby Keem. Others are Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Kodak Black, Sampha, Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Sam Dew, Beth Gibbons, Tanna Leone, and Hollywood actress Taylour Paige.
The album explores themes of past traumas, personal growth, struggle, and triumph. Kendrick delivers powerful and thought-provoking lyrics over top-notch production.
One of the standout tracks on the album in terms of sensitivity of the topic on which Kendrick was rapping is “We Cry Together,” featuring Taylour Paige. In the song, Kendrick and Taylour Paige appear to be in an abusive relationship. Both artists exchanged verses as they tried to speak on the topic from their respective perspectives.
“N95” is undoubtedly another standout song on the album where Kendrick demanded we all take off our masks. These masks come in the form of designer clothes and pieces of jewelry we wear. Furthermore, the people we pedestalize, the hypocritical sentiments behind our takes, the clout chasing, posturing, etc.
Take off the new logic, that if I’m rich, I’m rare (take it off)
Kendrick Lamar N95
Take off the Chanel
Take off the Dolce
Take off the Birkin bag (take it off)
Take all that designer bullshit off
And what do you have? (Bitch)
And on “Mother I Sober” Kendrick Lamar revealed how his wife, Whitney Alford gave him a therapist’s phone number in order to deal with the childhood trauma that has been taunting and haunting him.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers has been met with widespread critical acclaim. And many fans and critics hail it as one of Kendrick’s best works yet. Since the album’s release, Kendrick Lamar has been on tour. Also, the album showcases Kendrick’s growth as an artist, and his ability to continue to push the boundaries of hip-hop and deliver thought-provoking and impactful music.
Drawing the curtain, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” is a must-listen for fans of Kendrick Lamar and hip-hop in general. Just like Damn by Kendrick Lamar, the album is a testament to his continued growth and success. And it solidifies his place as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Stream the new Kendrick Lamar album here.
