Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers | Album Review 💿

Kendrick Lamar brings the heat on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, an ambitious, complex, and ultimately, truly rewarding album.

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igh, “Perfect truly isn’t easy”, is it? No, there is no one in the world that is perfect, but 🏆 Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper 🎙 Kendrick Lamar is really good at what he does.  Perhaps that’s why a five-year hiatus between albums was a hard pill for his fans to swallow.  The good news is that Mr. Duckworth is back with another masterpiece, 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  An ambitious and complex album, there is plenty to unpack – it takes time to fully digest.  That said, what doesn’t take time to digest is the continued brilliance and sheer aptitude of Kendrick, one of the most gifted rappers.  Dive into my track-by-track assessment of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, if you dare!

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💿 1 

“I wake in the morning, another appointment / I hope the psychologist listenin’.” Woo! Kendrick Lamar kicks off Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers with a bang with 🤩 🎵 “United in Grief.”  Lamar reflects on a wide array of topics: his career, money/drip, trauma experienced (including loss of friends), meaningless sex, and mental health.  It seems as if Kendrick has used sex and money to cope with emotional/mental health.  He admits, in the outro, “I grieve different.”  Notably, “United in Grief” features intriguing production switches, which marvelously help to illustrate all that’s spinning around in his head.

Kendrick doesn’t slow down on 🤩 🎵 “N95,” a banger whose title references masks yet the subject matter transcends. Masks, of course, have been one of many divisive things that went down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the first verse, Lamar urges us to “take off” various things. In the second, he appears to specifically reference the pandemic and beyond, asserting, “The world in a panic, the women is stranded, the men on a run / The prophets abandoned, the law take advantage, the market is crashin’…” Woo! In the mix, particularly in the third verse, is religion, a common topic for the rapper.  “Would you sell your bro for leverage,” he spits in the third verse, a Biblical reference.  “N95” bangs thanks to its production (🎛 Baby Keem, 🎛 Jahaan Sweet, 🎛 Boi-1da, and 🎛 Sounwave) and K-Dot’s flow, but it’s also thought-provoking.

🎙 Kodak Black is controversial, period. Featuring Black throughout Mr. Morale & The Steppers (three appearances) unsurprisingly earned Kendrick controversy.  Black introduces one of my favorite songs from the album, the intense 🤩 🎵 “Worldwide Steppers.”  In his intro, Black mentions German spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, who happens to be sampled on later songs. All that considered, Kendrick remains the main attraction on this intense, minimally produced gem (🎛 Tae Beast, 🎛 J.LBS, and Sounwave). He nails the chorus, which references the viciousness of cancel culture: “I’m a killer, he’s a killer, she’s a killer, bitch / We some killers, walkin’ zombies, tryna scratch that itch…” Of course, Kendrick has plenty to say throughout the verses, with one of his more intriguing subjects being his infidelity, including having sex with white women (“Whitney asked did I have a problem / I said, ‘I might be racist’ / Ancestors watchin’ me fuck was like retaliation”).  K-Dot is always thought-provoking.

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“Die Hard” 

Love is the focus on 🎵 “Die Hard” which enlists the services of 🎙 Blxst and 🎙 Amanda Reifer.  I’d argue this track is lighter than the opening trio. Even so, Kendrick remains in deep thought, concerned about the legitimacy of his relationship. “Do you love me? Do you trust me / Can I trust you/ Don’t judge me,” he spits in the first verse, doubting his own worth as well as what his partner brings to the table.  It’s another worthwhile moment all said and done. “You really need some therapy /… Yeah, you really need to talk to somebody / Reach out to Eckhart.”

🤩 🎵 “Father Time” brings in 🎙 Sampha, which always seems to be a power move.  Of course, Sampha sounds superb in the chorus, with his instantly recognizable tone. Kendrick focuses on daddy issues, exploring how he responded to them in both verses.  One of his best lines: “I love my father for tellin’ me to take off the gloves / ‘Cause everything he didn’t want was everything I was.” Wow! That said, how often is that indeed the case? How about an even better lyric: “… Let’s give the women a break, grown men with daddy issues.” Coping is hard for the victim of such issues, but also, it affects others associated with that person, such as a significant other.  By the way, remember how I said Kodak Black appears thrice on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers? 🎵 “Rich – Interlude” marks his second appearance, where he performs the entire sub-two-minute interlude. Give him credit for addressing the elephant in the room: “What you doing with Kendrick? / What you doing with a legend?”

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“Rich Spirit”

🎵 “Rich – Interlude” precedes 🎵 “Rich Spirit,” among the more spiritual moments from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  “Tryna keep the balance, I’m stayin’ strong.” Kendrick is focused on his mental health and his spiritual well-being.  He says it brilliantly: “Celebrity do not mean integrity, you fool.”  He swears off past demons, replacing those destructive behaviors with spiritually fulfilling experiences: “Can’t fuck with you no more, I’m fastin’.” It keeps the album on fire.

As awesome as “Rich Spirit” is, the showstopper is 🤩 🎵 “We Cry Together” with 🎙 Taylour Paige.  Paige steals the show, serving up a dynamic, emotional, and utterly raunchy performance. There’s nothing spiritual about this rough, verbal altercation between two lovers.  Both treat each other like shit.  It’s one of the most profane records I’ve heard in some time, with the chorus playing out with both oscillating between “Fuck you, bitch” and “Fuck you, nigga.” Wow! The issues raised often transcend the gutter language including feminism, toxic masculinity, and hypocrisy. Also, shout out that glorious 🎙 Florence + The Machine sample and the production overall! 

“Shut the fuck up when you hear love talkin’ / If God be the source, then I am the plug talkin’.” Kendrick Lamar concludes the first disc of his double album with 🎵 “Purple Hearts.” He’s joined by the ever calm, cool, and collected 🎙 Summer Walker and legendary rapper, 🎙 Ghostface Killah. This is one of the most accessible records on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  That said, as high quality as it is, it doesn’t shine to the same degree as 🎵 “N95,” 🎵 “Worldwide Steppers,” or the filthy 🎵 “We Cry Together.”  Still, Kendrick tackles meaningful issues, primarily love and faith.

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💿 2

🎵 “Count Me Out” commences the second disc of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  Here, within the context of the album, Kendrick appears to be reaching a better, healthier mindset.  One of the best ‘food for thought’ lyrics appears at the end of the second verse: “Some put it on the devil when they fall short / I put it on my ego, lord of all lords.” Woo – that’s deep and incredibly prudent.  Lamar is also able to cope with the adversity of the past with greater confidence, “Fuckin’ it up” positively as opposed to negatively: “Miss Regrets, I believe that you done me wrong / Miss Regrets, can you please exit my home.”

🎵 “Crown” marks an important moment from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers whether you consider it one of the album’s gems or not.  Of course, Kendrick Lamar wears a crown of thorns on the cover art, which I have no doubt irks some folks.  Here, the rapper makes it clear that he alone can’t be a savior.  He’s not perfect, and the weight of the crown is far too heavy. “And I can’t please everybody,” he asserts in the chorus.  In the second verse, he speaks of the love he’s received from fans and critics.  Still, he mentions “You say no and all you’ve done gives them amnesia / One thing I’ve learned, love can change with the seasons.” So true, K-Dot.  “Crown” might’ve received even higher marks with a more varied production beyond the piano accompaniment.  Regardless, I see the vision.

“Head up, chest out / Silence, I’m stressed out / Shh, be quiet, I’m stressed out.” Ah, far too often we are forced to suppress and cope in other ways. 🎵 “Silent Hill” explores this to an extent. It also marks the third 🎙 Kodak Black appearance. This time, he, and Kendrick collaborate.  Most of the song finds K-Dot holding it down but Black drops the second verse on this trap-oriented joint.  Naturally, that’s a fit for Kodak.  Besides cold, violent references and materialism, the rappers address life.

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“Savior” 

🎙 Eckhart Tolle commences 🎵 “Savior – Interlude” with a thoughtful intro regarding childhood trauma and its lingering effects.  Following the intro, 🎙 Baby Keem drops a compelling, troubling verse filled with childhood trauma.

“You ever seen your mama strung out while you studied division?

Your uncle ever stole from you, day after Christmas?

Seen both of those in the county jail visits

The first and the fifteenth, the only religion.”

Wow! It’s a fine preface to 🤩 🎵 “Savior” where Baby Keem reappears alongside 🎙 Sam Dew. Kendrick kicks things off with a bang, making it clear celebrities aren’t saviors and shouldn’t be treated as such.  Over the course of three verses, Kendrick tackles blackness, political correctness, COVID-19, Christianity, Putin, and history.  He keeps it real, as always, but there’s also a layer of complexity – more of that ‘food for thought.’ Baby Keem nails the simple but catchy chorus, which works incredibly well over the production.  Sam Dew is perfect on the ad-libs, adding color to one of the album’s better tracks.

🤩 🎵 “Auntie Diaries” is one of the most surprising records from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  Few rappers who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ dare address LGBTQ+ issues.  Far too often, if rappers dive into it, it’s because they are being homophobic. Kendrick Lamar admits to past ignorance regarding homophobia, asserting in the second verse, “Faggot, faggot, faggot, we ain’t know no better / Elementary kids with no filter, however.”  Anytime that f-word comes into play, it’s often much more controversial than the f-bomb.  Interestingly, as the record progresses, Kendrick later says, “I said them f-bombs, I ain’t know any better.” Lamar talks about evolving into a better, more accepting person, using the example of his trans aunt whom he loves and respects. I have no doubt that reactions to this bold number will be mixed from both the hetero- and LGBTQ+ community. There is progress, though, right?

Appears in🔻: 

• Kendrick Lamar, “Auntie Diaries”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 15 (2022)

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“Mr. Morale”

Notably, I’ve only highlighted the production work on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers sparingly.  That’s because the theme and lyrics are so incredibly powerful.  That’s no different on 🤩 🎵 “Mr. Morale” with 🎙 Tanna Leone.  That said, I must shout out the banging work behind the boards by 🎛 Beach Noise and 🎛 Pharrell Williams.  The beat slaps something fierce. Of course, Kendrick’s flow on this titular track is incredible!  Also, shout out Tanna Leone, who owns the bridge and outro – woo! 

“They raped our mothers, then they raped our sisters / Then they made us watch, then made us rape each other / Psychotic torture between our lives we ain’t recovered.” Woo, that’s heavy! Among the biggest surprises on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is 🤩 🎵 “Mother I Sober.” Part of the surprise is whom Kendrick Lamar taps for the assist: 🎙 Beth Gibbons of Portishead. Gibbons does a fine job of performing the chorus on this incredibly reflective number (“I wish I was somebody / Anybody but myself”).  Here, the primary accompaniment instrument is the piano, which fits the sentiment the rapper seeks to achieve.  He’s incredibly honest about the trauma he’s experienced, perhaps even more than much of the album.  Even though it runs nearly seven minutes in duration, it’s an epic seven minutes.

“Sorry I didn’t save the world, my friend / I was too busy buildin’ mine again.” 🎵 “Mirror” has a tough act to follow as 🎵 “Mother I Sober” is stunning! Ultimately, the rapper seems to find closure, or at least, a balance of sorts.  “I choose me, I’m sorry,” he sings in the chorus.  Throughout Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar feels like he has a greater weight on his shoulders compared to others. He realizes, as mentioned earlier, that he can’t be that savior – those are lofty expectations.

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“The Heart Part 5”

“I come from a generation of pain, where murder is minor…” 🎵 “The Heart Part 5”, Kendrick’s first new solo single in five years, arrived ahead of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers and was eventually added to the comeback LP. “The Heart Part 5” runs an ambitious five and a half minutes.  It’s five and a half minutes of #WINNING. The opening portion of the record is spoken word.  Lamar thanks his fans and listeners. He begins rapping about 40 seconds in, backed by strong production work by 🎛 Beach Noise. The backdrop is soulful and hella groovy, thanks to a sample of the soul classic, 🎵 “I Want You” by 🎙 Marvin Gaye. The chorus highlights the beloved classic.  The main attraction, however, is Lamar, who, as always, drops an electrifying flow.  I love the variations in the production when Lamar tells producers to “take the drums out” (nearing three-and-a-half minutes). Eventually, “The Heart Part 5” is rebuilt featuring rhythm guitars, lush strings, and of course, that signature Gaye groove.

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Final Thoughts 💭 

Woo! 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is an ambitious, complex album.  There’s lots and lots to unpack.  Even so, after a couple of listens and taking the time to dissect and analyze it, it’s another brilliant addition to the Kendrick Lamar discography.  Admittedly, it must be difficult to be one of the smartest rappers in the game where you’re expected to one-up yourself with each release.  Whether or not Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is his best album, it easily ranks among the best albums I’ve had the pleasure of listening to in years.

🤩 Gems 💎: “United in Grief,” “N95,” “Worldwide Steppers,” “Father Time,” “We Cry Together,” “Savior,” “Auntie Diaries,” “Mr. Morale,” “Mother I Sober” & “The Heart Part 5”

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🎙 Kendrick Lamar • 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers • 🏷 Aftermath / Interscope / pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment • 🗓 5.13.22

[📷: Aftermath / Interscope / pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment]

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