But for the last six years, Kendrick Lamar has remained relatively quiet. His latest album, DAMN., was released in 2017 and is hailed by many as a masterpiece. Since then, he has only released a few guest verses and singles, such as “All the Stars” with SZA for the Black Panther soundtrack, “The Hillbillies” with Baby Keem for his cousin’s debut album The Melodic Blue, and “Family Ties” with Baby Keem for his own upcoming album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. He has also been working on his own label, pgLang, which he describes as a “service company” that aims to create “stories that speak to many nations, many races, and many ages.”
But in 2023, Kendrick Lamar is ready to make his comeback. He has announced that he will release his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, on June 17th, which coincides with his 36th birthday. He has also revealed that this will be his final album under his current deal with Top Dawg Entertainment, the label that launched his career and nurtured his artistic vision. He has expressed his gratitude to his longtime mentor and friend Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith for giving him “the space to grow, experiment, and find my true voice.”
In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about Kendrick Lamar’s new album, from what to expect, to where to see him live, to some FAQs about his life and career.
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) May 30, 2023
What can you expect from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers?
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is expected to be another landmark in Kendrick Lamar’s discography. According to sources close to the rapper, the album will feature 14 tracks and will explore themes such as spirituality, morality, family, and legacy. The album will also showcase Kendrick Lamar’s versatility and evolution as an artist, incorporating elements of jazz, soul, rock, funk, and electronic music.
The album will feature guest appearances from some of Kendrick Lamar’s frequent collaborators and inspirations, such as J. Cole, Anderson ., aak, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, SZA, Isaiah Rashad, Zacari, Anna Wise, Bilal, Terrace Martin, Flying Lotus, Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Eminem and Kanye West.
The lead single from the album is “The Heart Part 5”, which was released on April 7th to coincide with the anniversary of DAMN… The song is a continuation of Kendrick Lamar’s series of introspective tracks that he has released before each of his albums. The song features Kendrick Lamar reflecting on his career journey and his personal struggles over a soulful beat produced by Evil Giane. The song also features a sample of Bon Iver’s 2020 single “PDLIF”, which stands for “Please Don’t Live In Fear”. The song received critical acclaim and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The second single from the album is “The Hillbillies”, which was released on May 30th along with a music video directed by Neal Farmer. The song is a collaboration with Baby Keem and features both rappers trading bars over a bouncy beat produced by Evil Giane. The song also features a sample of Bon Iver’s 2020 single “PDLIF”. The music video shows outtakes from Kendrick Lamar’s and Baby Keem’s time on tour together and features a cameo from Tyler, the Creator.
How can you see Kendrick Lamar live?
Kendrick Lamar is also set to headline several major festivals in 2023 to promote his new album. He will perform at Coachella in April, Glastonbury in June, Lollapalooza in July, Life Is Beautiful in September, and Austin City Limits in October. He will also embark on a world tour later in the year, with dates in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
FAQs about Kendrick Lamar
Here are some frequently asked questions about Kendrick Lamar:
How old is Kendrick Lamar?
Kendrick Lamar is 36 years old as of June 2023.
Where is Kendrick Lamar from?
Kendrick Lamar was born and raised in Compton, California.
What is Kendrick Lamar’s real name?
Kendrick Lamar’s real name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth.
How many albums does Kendrick Lamar have?
Kendrick Lamar has five studio albums: Section.80 (2011), Good Kid M.A.A.D City (2012), To Pimp A Butterfly (2015), DAMN (2017), and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2023).
What are some of Kendrick Lamar’s best songs?
Some of Kendrick Lamar’s best songs include “HUMBLE.”, “DNA.”, “Alright”, “King Kunta”, “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe”, “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, “Poetic Justice”, “Money Trees”, “Backseat Freestyle”, “The Blacker The Berry”, “i”, “LOVE.”, “All The Stars”, “The Heart Part 5”, and “The Hillbillies”.
Who are some of Kendrick Lamar’s influences?
Some of Kendrick Lamar’s influences include Tupac Shakur Dr.