- 2022-05-16
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MUSIC
Kendrick Lamar Releases New Album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers”: Streaming
American rapper Kendrick Lamar released his fifth studio album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” along with a new music video for “N95” on May 13, 2022.
It is his first album in five years since the 2017 album “Damn”. Also it is final studio album with Top Dawg Entertainment.
Back in August 2021, he posted about the project to his website, “I spend most of my days with fleeting thoughts. Writing. Listening. And collecting old Beach cruisers. The morning rides keep me on a hill of silence. I go months without a phone. Love, loss, and grief have disturbed my comfort zone, but the glimmers of God speak through my music and family. While the world around me evolves, I reflect on what matters the most. The life in which my words will land next. As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life's calling. There's beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown.”
Also, he reveals that he struggled with his mental health, sought therapy and endured a two-year stretch of writer's block and that he “asked God to speak through me – that's what you hear now”.- The album comprises 18-track, consisting of two parts “Big Steppers” and “Mr. Morale”, which feature guest appearances from Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Sampha, Taylour Paige, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Kodak Black, Baby Keem, Sam Dew, Tanna Leone and Beth Gibbons.
Produced by The Alchemist, Baby Keem, Beach Noise, BekonBoi-1da, Cardo, Craig Balmoris, DJ Dahi, DJ Khalil, The Donuts, Duval Timothy, FnZ, franO, Grandmaster Vic, Jahaan Sweet, J.LBS, OKLAMA, Pharrell Williams, Sounwave and Tae Beast.
All of songs serve to illuminate his continually evolving worldview.
The accompanying video was directed by Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar.
But the new song “The Heart Part 5”, which was released right before the release of the album, is not included on the album.
The album received the largest first day streams of 2022 on Apple Music, garnering over 60 million streams. - source : Apple Music