An 18-song double-disc effort, the project boasts guest appearances from Ghostface Killah, Kodak Black, Baby Keem, Sampha, Blxst, Summer Walker, Tanna Leone and Portishead's Beth Gibbons, among others. Behind the boards, frequent collaborators such as Sounwave, Pharrell, The Alchemist, Boi-1da and DJ Dahi supply the eclectic sounds.
But it's Kendrick who steals the show, and not simply because of his lyrical talents. Across the album, the Compton native addresses Kanye West and Drake's reconciliation, Kyrie Irving's COVID-19 stance and "cancel culture." He also opens up about his "lust addiction" and infidelity, as well as transgender relatives and sexual abuse in the Black community.
While Mr. Morale & The Big Steppersopens yet another chapter in Kendrick's illustrious career, it also marks the end of an era in another sense, serving as the 34-year-old rapper's final release on Top Dawg Entertainment, the label he's called home for well over a decade.
"As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years," he wrote on his oklama.com website last August. "The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators."
Post a Comment