K Lamar’s Discography Explained: Section 80 - identifying the problem GKMC - explaining the problem through story TPAB - Trying to fix the problem (savior complex) DAMN - realizing he can’t fix the problem (damned if you do, damned if you don’t) Mr Morale - coming to peace with the problem and fixing himself
I’ve felt this too listening to his whole discography. Kendrick feels the weight from the savior complex he’s been put on and following him since. U see how it’s breaking him down leading to therapy. Moving forward with PGLang he’ll be a completely different person. Crazy story arch
i hope this doesn’t come off wrong but this album also humanised kendrick, he discussed his faults and shortcomings but he spoke so bluntly and emotionally about himself here and it gave me a look inside the pressure he deals with, sonically this aligns with my taste as well
@@martinebonita2658 he did it on a deeper level here i feel, he attacked the route of his problems and emotions, like he took time to analyse how he felt not just say it
@@martinebonita2658 not to the level of this tho. Almost every kendrick album does to some extent but tpab was more about African American issues in general while this was strictly about him.
Yeah, and I also think this album almost HAS to require more than one listen. I wasnt sure about it at first, but now it's... Yeah. It's a masterpiece to me. It's a classic already. But you dont get that on the first listen necessarily
This was definitely Kendrick’s most personal album, he is being transparent and honest. It feels like he has accepted his problems and is eager to heal and fix himself.
Off first listen, I was reeeeeal iffy on this album. But after listening to it over the weekend, it’s already grown on me SIGNIFICANTLY. That’s what I love about Kendrick, his music is SO TIMELESS.
@@HueyFreeman_ yes exactly, for a lot of people when tpab first came out, people were shitting on it, but after a while it grew on them and now its seen as one of the best albums ever created
@@ethermac9015 what a senseless opinion, listening to something too many times would cause you to get tired of it and find it annoying, its not "forcing yourself to like it".
“When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan?” This album is a fleshed out look at the effect of this fear of his, and ultimately freeing himself from this question that I’m sure haunted him. I’m still a fan.
Word. He has partly opened up to us all throughout his career. But this. He opened everything in his mind to us that he had left and became fully exposed and vulnerable in this album. The most personal album and along with everything he has already given us, his fans are now feeling like we know all of him 100%. Now we’re gonna see who’s still a fan of the real Kendrick Lamar.
Exactly bro it’s so sad what kendrick had to go through and there is a chance that since they mentioned Demetrius it could be from Sheranes perspective from GKMC🥲
Deadass cried at Father Time, Auntie Diaries, and Mother I Sober. I went into this album with zero expectations and I was just sorting some papers. Some of these songs just hit different as young adult, seeing childhood trauma continue to dictate us today. This is a huge album for me.
This might sound weird but I’m glad this album is divisive. Kendrick needs something like this in his discography. This project has some of his best songwriting ever and is so intresting the direction he’s going for on here. It keeps growing on me after each listen
Yeah honestly, As a Kanye fan this is my favorite Kendrick album. It’s the album that sets him apart from the rest of the crowd, kinda like an 808s or a TLOP
@@staigenerator2949 I'm a huge ye fan as well. I think this is a lot better album than people are giving it credit for. I still think TPAB is his best and for me, Damn gets played the most in my rotation. I think the TLOP analogy is pretty good
someone told me that Kendricks Discog mirrors that of OutKast or The Beatles' Discographies, and both of those groups have divisive double albums but they both grew over time. I think that this will age with time or just a bit of retrospective.
Everyone says it’s not an album you can play over and over again but I havent stopped listening since it dropped and fall more and more in love every time this is a phenomenal album
Chef boyarbae the people like this guy I could care less about his opinion to me this album is about kendrick and his life. This album is phenomenal I guess if kendrick put a couple pop Rao songs this guy would have been happy.
Same. I don’t get how it’s so polarizing. He had writers block for two years. He found what he needed to write about. We get to hear it and I think musically it’s interesting and experimental. Sometimes haunting. Loved Shaun’s perspective tho.
On United grief (1st song) he started off the song by saying he has been going through something for 1855 days. That is how many days ago he dropped DAMN. At the beginning of the song Whitney (his fiancé) tells him to "Tell Them what's been going on". Them being the therapist and now us. You can clearly tell he is reluctant to open up and talk to the therapist. This is his first session. Then the whole album he continues to take us through his sessions and his growth. Growth is not always an upward projection. A lot of the time it's anger, denial, it's ranting. It is realizing things you have not realized before. And sometimes it's saying fuck what everyone else feels. And that is exactly what the first side of the album is. Then the second side of the album starts with" Session 10. We reached a breakthrough. And the second album is that breakthrough. It is him admitting his guilt, his anger, his hurt, his wrongs, his trauma, his family trauma and accepting it and healing from it. And loving himself. Again this is not an upward trajectory either. But the album ends with him choosing himself. This whole album takes us through his self-love journey through trauma and pain. And he shows this process is not easy, pretty, or conventional. It is personal and it is the hardest journey anyone would have to take in their life. But it is so rewarding.
I can respect Shawn’s opinion on MM&TBS. And honestly am not surprised when people say they’re not feeling the album. After listening to it in full about three times so far, I can tell that Kendrick intentionally avoided putting much emphasis on making club bangers or radio friendly tracks. He also wasn’t interested in barring us to death with amazing wordplay. The focus of this project was to openly focus on his inner demons as well as that of “black culture” in a way the was beautifully poetic but not necessarily to flex his emceeing skills. That was clearly going to take center stage alone while production and emceeing skills were going to take a back seat to that. The reason, I feel, that he did this is because he wants the listener (particularly those in the “black community”) to inspired and reflective of their own inner demons. IMHO, every great music artist should have at least one of these types of projects where they have the balls to say “I’m going to put together this deeply personal or experimental album that I know most people may not feel. But if you can relate to it come on this journey with me.” I can relate to this album immensely. I love the use of piano on several of the tracks. They put me in a contemplative mood to think about my own inner demons when I’m listening to them. It’s cathartic. Most of this album has high replay value for me. My two cents.
People like you make me appreciate the intricacies of music even more. The fact you got all of this already is a testament to Kendrick's amazing work as an artist in general. Album gets better with every listen for me
Fellas were really upset at DAMM for not being super deep like TPAB, now upset at this album for not having a bunch of bangers and radio-readys like DAMN...
i think the album that was probably good at both was GKMC even if i think TPAB was better, you have to admit that GKMC was probably his "perfect album" in terms of being very appealing to a massive audience but at the same time very deep and meaningful
Diverse? Absolutely. But I’d be lying if I said I’m returning to many songs from this album - narratively tho like Shawn said - it’s great and interesting.. but musically? It’s not hitting in the same way others songs have done for me.
the baby keem interlude is incredible. I mean like "My Uncle Would Tell Me The Shit In The Movies could Only Be Magic, This Year, I Did Forty-Three Shows And Took It All Home To Buy Him A Casket" is such a good bar.
His uncle told him that his dreams were basically unattainable. After Keem did 43 shows he was ready to come home and show him he fulfilled his dreams and spend some of the money he made on him. Unfortunately, the only thing he could buy him was a casket because he passed away.
@@Fresh-Essence_22 maybe I’m reading into it too much, but the casket also plays on the classic use of a casket to saw someone in half for a magic show?
This album felt a lot more emotional, powerful, thematically deep, and versatile than DAMN. I personally believe that Kendrick took a lot more risks here than he did with DAMN and overall I liked the songs a lot more here than on DAMN. The album was very beautiful in the Melodie’s and themes kendrick conveyed with each song and it definitely isn’t a radio friendly album, but that’s what makes it so beautiful and enchanting. This was Kendricks raw, emotional therapy session and I love it!
this album changed my life. before i was paralyzed with no money and home. But after listening to the album, I now am cured, won the lottery, and living in a mansion.
Count me out - made my leg disabled sister start walking again - but then she went back to being disabled when the song ended.. still tho - great song.
@@brotherchason I love it because how experimental and different his flows sounds from his other albums. I love the lyrical themes throughout the album about self acceptance, toxic masculinity, and the commentary on our culture. And I generally just love the vibe and the instrumentals on the album.
Kendrick is one of the greats but I struggle with this album. Lyrically of course it's there... It's Kenny after all! to me it just doesn't have that timeless sound like GKMC & TPABF. Love United in grief & Savior though. As important as his messages are I also need that groove. This album is missing it imo & has left me bitterly disappointed especially after a 5 year wait. Sound is too close to the Black Panther ST & Damn which I wasn't a fan of. You can't hit the mark every time I guess
if N95 stayed on Vent from Baby Keem, it would not have received as much criticism. Hell, if Baby Keem rapped N95 it would probably be praised as a classic song. Mfs just do not wanna hear kendrick rap w a new flow.
Saying this album is his weakest writing is wild to me. Father Time, Savior, United In Grief, etc are all phenomenally written songs, and Mother I Sober is legitimately one of his best written songs. I get that it doesn’t have replay value/hits because it’s so personal/experiential, but to say the writing isn’t up to par compared to past albums is bizarre.
He smoking on dicks. That’s all I could say. It doesn’t have the raw banger sneak dissing energy or the political shit this time around but to say weakest writing lol. He must have never listened to the first lp not section 80. Honestly this is some great stuff and if this is Kendrick’s final album he had a great run and went out his way.
I mean it’s not ..but it’s a good song that deserves to be in some of his best songs he’s made ..there’s still time for this to grow but he’s never made anything close to tpab and gkmc since
It’s not bizarre at all. There are lyrical highlights but I definitely think this is his weakest writing that’s not a bad take. Even the personal moments are a lot more literal and less poetic than in his previous albums. By Kendricks standards the writing is a bit dissappinting
@@uglysegura9616 I respectfully disagree. This album is a bit harder to digest than GKMC and TPAB, and the writing goes to show for that which can make it harder to resonate with. But when it eventually does, it reveals so much about not only Kendrick, but ourselves.
I’m mexican, and I don’t want this to seem like I’m trying to steal black trauma. But Mother I Sober really spoke to me and borderline triggered me because I went through something similar and so has my family. It’s happened a lot to us as well, just in different ways. Or maybe its the same idk. But Kendrick speaking so openly about it felt almost empowering because it felt like someone was speaking up for male sexual abuse victims for the first time in hip hop, even music. I hardly ever see that in any genre.
Listen, first of all you have something in common with us all… You’re human. Where you come from doesn’t matter; we all go through it in one way or another. No matter what the effed up situation is. It’s a human experience. Keep you head up! 💯👊🏾🖖🏾
me too man, im a white fellow and it brought me to tears, even if im missing a certain cultural context.. even if my family's experience's aren't rooted in racism it still hits home hope you and your family are keeping well after your trauma 💙
As a therapist myself, I remember during our training we are taught that genuine change only happens through honest discourse. If you are racist, sexist, homophobic, you have to speak about your attitudes and beliefs fully and honestly. BUT you have to recognize and validate the anger that comes from marginalized groups during your conversations. If you let people that have stereotypes or prejudice beliefs continue to hide their genuine thoughts, there is ZERO possibility of changing that persons perception.
Thats just the thinking of a racist trying to validate those feelings , to make them normal again and not take accountability for your family actions … or thats what I imagine some woke jack*ss would say .
This album is not an album filled with bangers. It is an album that he made for himself. He is acknowledging himself and is addressing his own emotions and what he has to deal with.
If I’m understanding the overarching concept, side A is the big steppers. It’s the his old lifestyle, the posturing, the overconfidence, and the questions it all raises. And then side B, Mr. Morale, is about him becoming removed from those life situations. As Shawn said he’s finally in the quiet and having time to unpack his trauma. It literally starts with a song called Count Me Out (yes I know it’s used in a different context in the song but he’s Kendrick so I don’t think it’s a reach to say it’s layered) and ends with him saying he chooses him and releasing himself from the obligations he feels people have put on him as an artist and person.
@Hasan Piker most definitely overly simplistic. I definitely don’t think I can break down a Kendrick album, six years in the making, with one paragraph lol this was more of a 24 hour analysis, I feel like I’m pulling back new layers with every listen lol
This isn't an entertainment album - it's a therapy album. I don't really see myself replaying individual tracks, but I'll be listening to the whole thing over and over.
Kendrick has done enough for all of us, I’m happy that he’s making the music he wants to make above anything else, it’s rare somebody of his level gets this much artistic freedom in this current day and it’s beautiful to see
Exactly what I said.With his talent,he could’ve easily made music people wanted to hear instead he made music we needed to hear and he knew we’d tune in anyways.I think this album is going to age beautifully.
I will never understand why a lot of people didn’t love this in the first listen. This album had so much uniqueness and beauty and even some bangers. I enjoyed almost every song first listen because of the flows, the deeper meanings, the productions, and the I liked the features
This album is theatrical in all the right ways, it's unlike anything we've heard from him before and I think it'll grow on me even more. It's already great after the first listen. This is the most vulnerable we've ever seen Kenny. This is pure art.
Everyone was expecting a gangsta ass album reflecting on todays society instead we got a really poetic soul exploring album We cry together, father time, auntie diaries and mother l sober have such a good storytelling concept
The Crown was one most pivotal songs I think Kendrick has done. I think everyone just wants Damn 2.0 or Good Kid part 2. And this album is far from that. Which I’m pretty thankful for.
It's a good album to reflect on but in terms of enjoyability it's very very dim... There's some tracks like mr morald a wct but man, almost no replay value
Kendrick most personal album, it’s like every song is almost like a rant or him venting to someone or something. This album has so much to take in and settle. When I first heard TPAB I was disappointed because it was different and not like GKMC. Although with more listens and time I loved and enjoyed TPAB, this album I feel like is going to age like fine wine. Give the album some time and take it in and enjoy it.🫂
The reason I love GKMC so much is because it managed to perfectly blend a deep artistic narrative and entertainment. The rest of Kendrick's career has felt like sacrificing one for another a little bit
This is one of the first albums I’ve listened to in a long time that is so ahead of its time. This is how beautiful rap/ hip hop can be. I’ve been listening to k dot for a really long time and I never expected him to reach this level of artistry. This is how you take your art and push it to the next level.
"The point of art is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed." As someone who has wrestled with my gender and sexuality since childhood, I really don't see a problem with Auntie Diaries. Pretty much this whole album is confrontational and provocative, it's supposed to take aspects of ourselves we don't like and smack us in the face with it. I think this song is most effective for people in exactly Kendrick's position, people who have/had double standards on the usage of slurs in a casual context. And the only way to get the point across is to put it in bold text. Intention is important, and Kendrick is basically saying "gay and trans rights", so anyone who wants to be upset by that needs to do some healing themselves. Plenty of other things have explored this like South Park and IASIP, understanding slurs in context is what matters. Like if a college professor got fired for reading a text from the Jim Crow era with racial slurs in it, most people would be confused and mad af about that. Context matters always. The last part of the song is meant to be cynical, Kendrick doesn't want a free for all of slurs being tossed around. He's condemning their use in a context of not understanding the pain it might cause someone else. He knows his usage could potentially be hurtful, but imo that's really only the case if someone isn't really listening to what he's saying on the song. Just my two cents. edit: the "if Jack Harlow did dadada" argument doesn't hold up as much as it seems. Kendrick and LGBTQIA+ are members of a minority, Jack Harlow is a straight, white male. Is Kendrick functioning from a place of privilege? Sure, but nowhere near the level of a white rapper (which is its own can of worms) choosing to say the N-word to pat themselves on the back to their primarily white audience for how no longer racist they are.
Thanks people don’t understand art they just love playing victim instead of seeing where people are coming. From self expression right or wrong is art I love to see people true thoughts rather than them trying to skate around people feeling about what politically correct don’t be be honest
im so glad kendrick talked about what he did on auntie diaries he is clearly supportive of trans people and shows his growth as a person overtime on the issue
EXACTLY!!! I resonate so much with that song as a bisexual. I would use the slurs casually to play a hyper masculine facade when I was really only dehumanizing myself in the process. VERY POWERFUL SONG!
This album is in the vein of TPAB in that we expected one thing and he did something completely different. The more I listened to it, the more I fucking love this album.
Exactly bro... I think people who are upset are people that wanted him to release what they wanted but something about Kendrick is that he gives us something different with each album.. Even changes names to show that it's a new person rapping.. But as Oklama said.. " u can't please everybody"
@@IV_Studio but to go and compromise ones sound is to go from making albums to spread awareness and not caring about getting a “hit” to now making a whole album jus to get some hits; it’s not kendrick. kendrick has been about messages and good music, not good music with messages he’s already spread. man has no more words to say, he shoulda stopped making music after DAMN but instead he ghost writes most of baby keems music and then goes to making the same exact music as baby keem. it’s funny tbh, man was the best rapper of all time and now he has a dirty spot on a resume nobody had in rap and now he’s jus exposing the hypocrisy in his own work. TPAB is his best and nothing compares bruh. DAMN explained his inner workings better than any album and GKMC expresses his culture and the hypocrisy of it already, he didn’t spread a single new message besides the fact that he’s family oriented now instead of focusing on music. he shoulda jus kept his discography the way it was, he’s one of the greatest but no longer the greatest.
A sentiment I've seen floating around is that Kendrick Lamar made the album he wanted to make, and he doesn't personally care too much about how people take him anymore. I personally agree.
Thats exactly what eminem did with revival, yet people trashed it like crazy lol, yet they don't know this music wasn't for them, it was for HIM. This kendrick album right here is dope, this album is for HIM.
@@RKO94-49 Don't compare. I didn't like the album because it's not for me, but it's not a bad album. Eminem albums were progressively trash until it got so bad people stop being bias fans
I also feel like Shawn is lowkey some people kendrick was talking about on certain songs too. Like trying to hard to intricately decipher each line each bar to the T and he’s like “kendrick made you think about it but he’s not your savior” like kendrick literally sayin brah not every bar is that crazy i’m trynna be human.
I agree, for me this album is meant to make everyone think about how we can be so righteous about things, throw criticism, but we're all hypocrites to an extent, and as much as people don't want to admit it we all have prejudices. I respect Kendrick for being honest about it. This review was a bit too surface level for me, feel like he should have been more open minded. Also people forget that Kendrick is often playing a part in his song or maybe acting out an experience. It doesn't always mean that's what he thinks now...
On Mother I Sober he’s describing his mom being “touched” and worrying about if Kendrick had been “touched” . Although he keeps saying no, he wants to prove it didn’t happens by having sex with a lot of women, which has now affected his relationship. But before it can haunt his children, because he has put everything on the table, and addressed it, he can move forward now . Breaking generational curses. Then he goes on to celebrate because now he doesn’t hate himself, he loves himself and is making better decisions now
Yes but to think that is some grand conclusion that needed to be decoded is delusional. This album was not that “deep” but that’s ok. Mother I Sober is a top 10 Kendrick song.
The whole album is Kendrick growing from his ignorance and showing how certain elements of life and the culture can trap you, it’s one big therapy session the disc 1 is Kendrick showing all his frustrations and his issues, the second disc is Kendrick breaking through and kind of accepting the fact that he can’t change his perspective to please the world or please anyone and he basically states that he accepts how ignorant he was in the past and that he moves past it with his own opinion that no one can change
He used this album as a breaking of generational curses that plagued his family as well as giving the culture permission to start breaking ours even if it's by using him as a sacrifice. Tuff
The album is a breath of fresh air from the world we live in today. It's so raw, deep, honest, real, and full of emotion. It depicts the struggles and hardships we all go through that today's culture seems to mask and pretend isn't there
Don't get me wrong, I love party bangers and artists like Yeat, Ericdoa, and midwxst, but nothing I've listened to in the past decade hit me as hard as this album. It's so personal and introspective to the point where it's uncomfortable at times, but that's why I love it. Idk if I would put this or GKMC as my number 1 cuz they are both just so good.
@@thethiccdonut5257 straight facts. Each song was so raw with emotion, I was able to actually feel it. I haven't had an album do that to me in a long time. K dot's just on another level of artistry and creativity
All those new rappers glamorized drug usage and escapism. Kendrick goes straight to the point of how he feels, thinks, and how he has grown to see the bigger picture
This might be a different take on it but I feel like Artist like Kendrick and J. Cole maybe even Kanye go through different stages in their lives that molds their crafts. And at the end of the day they just end up competing with themselves to reach a level of artistry that isn’t achievable anymore because they’re not in the same state of mind. Kanye will never Make another album like College dropout. J. Cole will never make another album like Forest Hills Drive. And Kendrick will never make another good kid mad city. As much as I love to pimp a butterfly and damn I think it’s a good thing it shows growth. we have to adjust to their art. I actually liked a lot of songs in this album but you’re right some of the songs just weren’t hitting maybe because I’m not in his State of mind. I’m gonna listen to this album maybe six more times before I can Properly assess it.
The constant theme of tap dancing through the album is meant to highlight how we all dance around our problems and that we need to face them- we cry together/ Purple Hearts show the two contrasting sides of love- how it can be so bad and good at the same time.
😅 Kendrick Lamar fans are built different "Tap dancing through the album is meant to highlight how we dance around our problems" But I get it, it's art, we interpret it how we want
PART UNO 0:57 United In Grief 3:19 N95 5:14 Worldwide Steppers 6:40 Die Hard 8:15 Father Time 10:30 Rich (interlude) 11:20 Rich Spirit 11:57 We Cry Together 14:16 Purple Hearts PART DOS 14:50 Count Me Out 16:20 Crown 17:19 Silent Hill 18:30 Savior (interlude) 19:45 Savior 25:00 Auntie Diaries 29:27 Mr. Morale 30:00 Mother I Sober 33:00 Mirror
Nah Shawn missed a lot! You made the one mistake that ordinary Kendrick fans would make which is to “expect” a certain type of album. Your expectations were not met and that’s fine. But that doesn’t make it a bad album or a miss from Kendrick.
This album was Kendrick’s for your eyes only. The most open he’s been. It’s been a lot to dig into and Jesus I love it. I love it just as much I loved DAMN.
Kendrick : I realized life is just perception Fans : this is mid, 5 years for this? Other fans : kendrick don't miss, another classic Kendrick again: I choose me sorry
I am personally all here for Kendrick to heal. I had to learn to stop idolizing and start humanizing instead. I really felt a connection to him on this album personally, and I wish him all the best on this journey. I am just grateful he allowed for us to be part of it :)
It’s mid But it’s upper mid all he’s rapping about is problems in his life or his past life or hypothetical problems gets kind of redundant Decent album nothing great
BRO OUTSIDE of this being a great album but can we talk about how Shawn Cee is really the goat for having guts chillin on his background?! BERSERK FOR THE WIN
This album was a very sobering and vulnerable album done by him. I do like the fact that he was being true to himself and simply getting everything off his chest. I feel like this album had to be made so that on his next album, he comes in a bit more at ease and able to just simply spit. Overall, it was an intriguing listening experience for me.
I don’t think we can even begin to speculate what the 🤞next album🤞 will shape up to look like. All I can say is hopefully he’s inspired through this continued self-actualization process to release something else sooner this time. But honestly I’d wait ten years for the next one if I had to (really don’t wanna) because it’ll be imminently worth it.
@@brenetssss man all the beats he rapped over was crazy when I first heard United in grief the little noise when he says it kept me in a trance replay that part all the time even to this day
This was Kendrick shedding his skin I felt he needed this in his discography. Musically its mellow which in its own needs to be beared in mind while listening to this album.. The was no need for heavy hitting songs, he had to be vulnerable he's allowed to be his human after all . Shedding his skin for the next LP. Now That He's went through it and talked about it, what's next?
Yea I felt the same way. Felt like Kendrick had a lot to say and just wanted to get it off his chest but I’m already just looking forward to the next album if I’m gonna be real.
I think what might get some people is that the album is less typically “entertaining” and without bangers than some of his other work. But he trades that in for vulnerability and openness in a project where he says in mirror “I choose me” and more importantly that “you should chose you”. He’s done trying to be anything to anybody or the black savior that the black community lifts him up to be. He’s getting off the soapbox that he tried so hard to preach from and saying he’s only human. Maybe not necessarily the project we wanted, but the project he needed.
Yeah, im listening to it for the first time at 12 am and its probably because im tired, but I didnt like the album as much as Damn. I can hear alot of good lyrics and interesting tracks ill relisten to but for me musically so far that the tracks arent different enough from one another. There are definitely fewer bangers and stand outs for me
@@Jack-uf2yw I would argue he’s a lot more open on this project, and due to it’s personal nature it’s not meant to be bumped the same way those other works are. You gotta meet the artist at where they’re coming from with this specific experience rather than trying to compare it to an album that served a totally different purpose to them.
Not what I needed, but it seems like a project that Kendrick needed. If making these songs helped him to work through some stuff, I'm glad he made them. And more power to the people who like this album, but I personally don't like it very much. Sonically it's just not my cup of tea. But that's okay. We don't all have to like the same things.
My Top 10 from the Album (as of now) 1. Mother I Sober 2. Auntie Diaries 3. Father Time 4. We Cry Together 5. Savior 6. Mirror 7. United in Grief 8. N95 9. Mr. Morale 10. Worldwide Steppers
Honestly the album is a roller coaster of gorgeous Melodie’s, insanely personal bars, and some of the absolute hardest experimental beats paired with insanely high quality delivery. I was blown away.
Personally, I loved this album, and I will definitely listen to it again. It felt incredibly personal and intimate, I thought it was very out there and experimental in ways I liked, and I kinda felt like it represented Kendrick just expressing himself and not caring if people like it or not. It doesn't have a ton of songs I'll throw in the car playlist, sure, but it's definitely the type of thing I can see myself dedicating an hour to again in the future.
This album isn’t a movie, a book, or an experience. It feels like a play. A theatrical art that you could sit down and watch this be acted out on broadway.
@@HipHopfan_ well I mean, yeah? But I always hear people say an album feels like a movie or it’s a story that you could read. I don’t think I’ve heard an album and my first thought is that it felt like a play. It’s very interesting
Kendrick discography is insane. The diversity in all his albums is soooooooooo surreal. The streak of great albums consecutively being released is only rivaled by YE discography
I feel like this album is the “4 your eyes only” of Kendrick’s discography. It’s not banger heavy or really music I’d put in my playlist, but it was like catching up with an old friend on the phone when they’re dealing with some stuff.
@@AdamAdam-md4mi lmao j cole produced that whole album his self damn near… kendrick only produced like 6 songs out of this whole album, don’t ever say some dumb ish like that again bruh.
It seems that opinions have been fairly mixed on this album but I personally loved it. Kendrick definitely got super personal on here which I love, explored some new topics, great and varied production, and a solid concept that I think will only get better with time. Definitely preferred the second side to the first but they’re both great. Probably a 9-10/10 imo need more listens to solidify. Favorite tracks: Mirror, Mother I sober, Mr Morale, auntie diaries, Father Time, untitled in grief
i feel satisfied with this album though i can understand why one wouldn’t really like this, listened to it close to 7 times and i can say that i love it more than i loved damn after first hearing it, it’s beautiful BUT it’s an acquired taste
i honestly love how different and personal this was it’s not what i expected and at first that made me dislike parts of it but after a few listens i got to appreciate it a lot more as something new to explore and to add to my music taste. i think this is gonna age well
Iwas worried about this very thing happening with this album. People not liking it because it's not a hard rap album feels like this is Kendricks Igor/flower boy where he is just really being incredibly vulnerable his intention is clearly not to make bangers but to make meaningful songs that are truly art imo. Art is expression of ones current state and emotions. This albums vulnerability and direct showcase of trauma really comes off as very human and relatable. Also recognizing I may be biased in loving this album cause of the shit I've come to realize I'm my own life recently as well as things I've gone through recently relationship wise but ithink that's the point. We are all human always going through trials tribulations and trauma ifeel like Shawn just wants bangers from Kendrick and idont love that about this review but to each their own.
Agreed! I’m so glad I waited all weekend to hear from friends or even read or watch any of reviews about this piece. I would be devastated if this was what I relied on… this is definitely album of the 20’s.
"DAMN." was a tough act to follow. That album was covered so much, covered immensely on UA-cam, and Kendrick even won a Pulitzer for it. "MM&TBS", to me is like a "TPAB" or even "Yeezus" that once we give it more time to breathe, it'll be looked back at as a great album. Great outing from Kendrick. I'm not sure where I rank it compared to his other LPs, as I've only listened to it all the way once, but I think it'll hold up as time passes. Now, the BIG question on everyone's minds: Will "MM&TBS" lose to "Come Home the Kids Miss You" at the Grammy's next year for Best Rap Album? lol
I am very surprised DAMN got a Pulitzer. I feel like out of all of his albums it was and is his weakest. Not trying to disrespect him, but I feel like TPAB should have gotten it. That album is just so beautifully written. DAMN as an album would struggle in my mind otherwise. The album conceptually feels like a hangover, which isn't bad, but the feeling is just so pervasive throughout. It doesn't matter really I guess, its not like we as Americans even know who wins the Pulitzer these days.
If I’m not mistaken, this album is also going to be a stage play as well. After my first listen, that’s all I could see in my head. How all of these tracks played out as ACTS. I didn’t like it my first go around, but with that in mind on my second I found it much more enjoyable and I appreciated more.
This album seems like an album for himself, he didn’t make a piece of art to sell he made it to truly express himself and all his issues and history. Not to mention his experiences with gender, race and even class in the US
@@ajat3202 nah, by sell I mean make a lot of money, he is able to make killer hooks and bangers that would be played over and over in clubs/events etc But he decided not to do that
I really feel like in this record Kendrick is pushing himself to a level of vulnerability and honesty that is unmatched. His willingness to take risks on this album and talk about the remainder of what is weighing heavy on conscious is admirable to me.When it comes to the way the album sounds sonically, Kendrick continues to push music further and comes out with another completely different sound. I don’t think too many people will fuck with this album and that’s okay. As someone who is a big fan of his work I do really love to see the direction being taken here and love it or hate it this is another evolution Kendrick.
I feel like this album had such a clear and strong narrative??? He weaved so many stories, of personal experiences he's been through that left him feeling really morally conflicted. On his relationship between race and love, empathy for male trauma with condemnation of toxic masculinity, the role male aggression can play in relationships, his evolving perspectives on lgbt rights, and his sense of duty to family built upon difficult childhood experiences on his previous albums i feel like he has been fighting for acceptance and respect from his peers in the world he grew up in. with this album i feel like as he has been transitioning into fatherhood, he's recognizing that actually, the world around him has often played a negative role in his personal growth - that what gets him that respect hasnt always been congruent with his own moral compass.... seeing that that in order to grow into a better person and be a stronger role model for his children he needs to swallow his pride and let go of some of those hang ups. to look internally to concentrate on his own personal growth instead. he's mr morale, sharing his journey of personal growth. by the time he talks about breaking the cycle abuse on Mother I Sober, with his children coming in at the end.... it really feels like a triumphant breakthrough. And the closing track? to me it really sounded like he's recognizing that he's been in a toxic relationship with the community that he loves, and is working on setting some healthy boundaries so that he can put himself first and grow into a better person: "I realized, true love's not savin' face But unconditional When will you let me go? I trust you’ll find independence If not, then all is forgiven Sorry I didn't save the world, my friend I was too busy buildin' mine again I choose me, I'm sorry" This wasn't just the Kendrick album i was hoping for, it really may grow to be my all time favourite. I've heard it through 5 times already and it feels more emotional with each listen. Anyway, love your perspective, i hope it grows on you. bless.
I appreciate your honestly Shawn. I personally loved the album, and as I listen to it more it resonates more and more with me, but your criticisms are valid. And while I see what Kendrick was doing on Auntie Diaries, and think that’s a beautiful song that might be one of his best, I definitely understand the criticism of his language in the song. I think it came from a place of love for him, but see why not everyone would like it
Its wild hypocritical tho again its the LGBT trynna censor black acts . Any rapper could say the wildest shit about black people and white hiphop audiences celebrate that shit .
auntie diaries is probably one of the most controversial songs i've seen, i totally get why someone would be offended by it, and i get why they wouldn't, i think it's a beautiful message despite what can be viewed as issues with it since you don't see big names like his talking about issues like these
Agreed. It's amazing to see him talk about these issues so candidly. this is from another comment i made bc the song's v important and makes for some great discussions - I disagree on f-slur and n-word being the same. the f-slur was widely accepted as normal like 15 years ago. i remember saying it casually in elementary school when i didnt know i was trans or gay. that has never been the case in my lifetime for the n-word. i understand the apprehension towards it, but it's effective at holding a mirror to the real ways homophobia manifests, and it's fair if people are made uncomfortable by it. In fact that's probably the intent. Same goes for misgendering his trans family through most of the song. it's uncomfortable and wrong, but it's a reflection of the very real, subtle transphobia i face on a regular basis, where people outwardly accept me as trans, but I can tell they still think of me as my assigned gender, but a trans person. Not what I identify as. It was overall really powerful for me. It's amazing imo to see a mainstream artist talk about these issues in a raw, honest way. Makes sense considering how Kendrick has expressed disappointment with his music not actually changing things - his approach now is to be unflinching, and hope people see their own bigotries in it.
@@AmbrosiusIII beautifully written, as much as i feel uncomfortable by his use of the f slur or the misgendering the way it actually serves a purpose for the narrative kinda overrides it for me. a lesser musician wouldve ended up sounding overly preachy and transphobic but i think kendrick pulls it off amazingly that being said under no circumstances should a white person ever say the n word that was a wack comparison on his part
I disagree, it is obscenely privileged song. I don't care how enlightened or tolerant the point of the song is, it's pretty telling that he can't accept queer people unless he realises some of them are black or Christian. Furthermore, this isn't even really a song about how trans people and gay people are suffering, and they should get to live. This is a song, really, about how a straight man feels guilty for having once been bigoted. That's a good message and all, but that's insufferable, you get it? It's like those white people movies they keep making about how they discovered racism is evil and theyre really stricken woth grief that they didn't realise black people were people too; I guess it's better than still being racist, but it defeats the point that even when talking about people suffering you make it about yourself being hurt once. Like, is racism really a bigger issue for white people who used to be racist than it is for the black people they were killing? If that's not the case, shouldn't they just shut up and let black people speak for themselves? Kendrick is a cis straight man, he's black, but he's a christian American, it's not his place to speak and he's coming off as that right now, as though it hurt him more that he was a bigot once than it hurt other people, since black trans people, like his fucking uncle, exist Plus, like Shawn points out, it doesn't help matters that he's still using the f slur in the song itself, and like, his "aunt" is a man "now"? And he's talking about how he used to be ignorant but now he respects "her", but he's still calling him a woman? That completely defeats the point of the message. He's made a song showing off his guilt, and in the title and throughout the song he keeps disrespecting him. Again, the fact that he raises the point of the white girl saying the n slur is ironic, because doesn't thst mean it's a persond job, if they don't want to be a bigot, to learn and accept others rules? He just rapped about being an asshole but used the f word multiple times and still calls a trans man his auntie, is he really just saying let's let white women say nigga then? Since like, their heart is in the right place, like his is . As a trans person this song makes me uncomfortable. It reminds me that a whole decade ago kanye west was on tv calling rappers hypocritical for being homophobic yet in yandhi he was joking about his in law being intersex. It makes me realise that kendrick lamar is like, one of the smartest, most culturally conscious black people, very left wing, and he still can't understand my existence. If anything this song just tells me he would blame us for not forgiving Chapelle
@@gashacybin yeah the words are really not at all like each other, but i took it more as him trying to say that no one from outside groups should say said slurs, if you're against one slur you should be against all, no exceptions like he had when he was ignorant
This is literally Kendrick’s 4 Your Eyes Only . Just based on the personal an introspective topics he showcased 4 this album . Cole did the same 4 that album as well . No real bangers but definitely grown man music an a beautiful listen .
This is the 4:44 version of kendrick Lamar. A more personal, introspective, emotions filled album. On first listen it doesn't hold reply value like DAMN did. Radio hits like DNA , HUMBLE aint in this album but i think he made it for "himself" like he said in an interview in 2015. AND I GUESS THAT'S WHAT MUSIC is suppose to be for an artist. Make wat you want n how you feel if people dont like it or appreciate it. Well it is wat it is.
@@edrushhh but both artist are at different times in their life as artist n on a personal level. That was Jays 14th studio album as compared to Kendricks 5th. Its more like when Ye released Yeezus n people shited and hated it.
Very honest Reaction/Review. Definitely enjoy your thoughts and opinion about the album. This album is a masterpiece. Very much needed. Starts a conversation.
The album is about breaking generational curses. It's personal but its not just for himself, it's for everyone, especially the black community, who are haunted by the traumas experienced by our ancestors.
What about jews, what about indians, what about the Chinese, what about Koreans...everyone has experienced haunting tragedies more so than black people
@@realzhella6817 chinese, Indian ? Experiencing more than black people lol. You probably think buffalo mass shooting was not racially motivated. Indian can have their rapper on who they can relate or white pop star.
@@realzhella6817 Sure, many demographics of people have experienced trauma, but the trauma of black people is unique in it’s been a prolonged cycle of abuse. That’s why this trauma is ‘generational’ and why so many negative patterns have been ingrained into our psyche and then passed on to the next generation. Black trauma is unique in that way. ‘More so?’ Come on dude I don’t know if that’s true. Even if what your saying is true, he isn’t really obligated or in the right really to speak on the traumas of other demographics of people, he’s a black man, not Chinese, Korean, etc. If any of those demographics of people can truly relate to what he’s saying there’s no one stopping them from hearing the message as well. But the message is primarily targeted towards the black community because, he is black obviously, and we genuinely need to hear this the most.
Most vulnerable and introspective album Kendrick's ever done. Heavy lyrics and subject matter mixed with bangers and the production is instantly impressive in 2022 in this era. Raw expression man... changed his sound again. Let this album marinate, that's all I gotta say.
This album is a conceptual album, not a playlist of bangers. You're absolutely right that sonically it isn't as catchy as past records. But that's also the point of it being so personal, like you said. I had the same reaction on my first listen, but everything hits harder and harder on the 2nd and 3rd time. Give it another try, it grows on you
All of Kendrick’s albums are conceptual & not a playlist of bangers LMAO. The difference is that this is a personal album for Kendrick & the MOST transparent. If you like the album & resonate with the personal reflection that’s fine, But objectively there no high points lyrically & sonically compared to past albums.
I don’t understand what you guys classify as bangers? Is a mainstream song a banger? This album is a whole banger except we cry together. I just don’t get it.
Not to be harsh, but it seems that you wanted an album that sonically aligned and entertained you + the general populace. But it seems like Kendrick this time around made an album for himself to continue moving forward and that's beautiful to me. It's what he had in him for the past 5 years, and that's what he crafted with. Sure it may not resonate and relate to the overall populace but I think art is for the artist first and foremost. Not everything needs to be relatable, sometimes it's nice to just listen to someone else's story. I think people sometimes forget that artist are people too; they go through their own specific problems and deal with them in their own specific ways. No one's perfect, they aren't always going to be morally correct like a lot people want them to be. But it's still nice to hear and know they want to share their experiences with such a large audience.
He was very clear on the fact that he does not like the way the music sounded simple. He didn't take away from the fact that Kendrick made a personal album he even acknowledged that and said he was happy about out it. He even found the songs relatable what more you what, shawn to lie and say it sounds good when he doesn't think so. He didn't like the songs sonically and thats it, don't paint a picture like shawn didn't appreciate the nuances of the album.
To me, no matter how thematically great an album can be or how personal an album may be, if the songs don’t sound that great, then no concept can redeem that…
@@knowingmathwiz1117 yeah the problem is that it’s just not for you. People have to understand that something cannot be your taste and still be good. The definition of sounding good is subjective because on first listen I liked all of the weirder sounding tracks that Sean hated and found the ones he liked kinda boring. I don’t think artists should be in service of pleasing the public because they’re not a commodity. They should be able to make what they want and I can accept it on its own merits.
@@Vageta1999 Hear, hear! I think the sonics on here are absolutely incredible... there's just not a bunch of club bangers! This may end up my personal favorite album of his...
Especially funny because he was just saying he didn't want more of the same from Kendrick a week or two ago in another video. Well Kendrick went a different direction and guess what? Turns out Shawn actually just wanted DAMN pt 2
This project had many album cuts, it was therapeutic and thought provoking. Some elements reminded me of Section 80. It didn’t have as many hits as DAMN & GKMC, but true Kendrick fans listen to him for both sides of him. I think this was needed in an industry soaked in Tik-Tok / street rap. To me it’s a classic. 9/10
@@connorme404 I can’t agree, production wise it was more solid than his last 2 projects and transitions were hella smooth. His pen game is still peak condition (however, I do hear a lot of Baby Keem influence now). Only bad thing I can say is his choice of delivery was strange on a couple tracks. But if you’re a true Kendrick fan, no way you can call this album mid bruh. It’s definitely gonna grow
I personally LOVE this album! Sure, it doesn't have a DNA or an Alright in the tracklist like you mentioned, but that's not what this album is suppose to be. I feel like since TPAB whenever we heard new Kendrick we expected him to talk to us and be that "savior" we all wanted him to be. On this album he's more so focused on himself. Definitely takes a few listens. Another masterpiece in my eyes.
Well I enjoyed this Album a lot, listened to it while watching the sunset. Remember, just because a song or an album doesn't hit you immediatley, it does not mean you won't enjoy it in a couple weeks, months or even years. We know how Kendricks albums are and how often we go back to them, maybe you will be in a certain point of your life where this sound and message fits your certain situation more. For me, I've been struggling a lot recently and to hear Kendrick speak about his past years so freely was something that gave me a lot of joy, musically this album is masterclass and another good addition to Kendricks consistent discography.
Damn I really didn’t expect your reaction to this. I do respect it, but I was at the gym going crazy to this whole album. It was well worth the wait and I really didn’t feel like it had any weak points besides the 3rd song which will probably grow on me.
I personally loved this album so much. I listened to it multiple times and each time it gets better for me. I love how raw and personal this album is. It is my AOTY
This album is a conceptual therapy session. It helps the listener (and Kendrick) come to terms with what it means to live the human experience. Kendrick (as he states) is all of us so there’s a lot that we, as humans, can relate with. He speaks on the human experience. He talks about mental health, who we should view as our ‘saviors’, topics that historically have brought us together and pushed us apart. It’s empowerment, it’s the removal of the shackles.
Hearing Shawn talk about this album reminds me of Ben Shapiro talk about the new Batman. It seems the negative reaction is coming from judging the album for what you wanted it to be and not for what it is.
I love seeing the raw, real emotional side of artists and that’s what we got from this one. More introspective rather than conscious. What’s going on inside rather than his external influences. Sonically keeping up with the times as well while still holding true to jazz influences. A damn stellar album.
K Lamar’s Discography Explained:
Section 80 - identifying the problem
GKMC - explaining the problem through story
TPAB - Trying to fix the problem (savior complex)
DAMN - realizing he can’t fix the problem (damned if you do, damned if you don’t)
Mr Morale - coming to peace with the problem and fixing himself
Good take
Love it
Incredible
@@Jtwe
To make an oversimplification: generational trauma in the black community
I’ve felt this too listening to his whole discography. Kendrick feels the weight from the savior complex he’s been put on and following him since. U see how it’s breaking him down leading to therapy. Moving forward with PGLang he’ll be a completely different person. Crazy story arch
DISC 1: BIG STEPPERS
0:56 “In Grief”
3:11 “N95”
5:13 “Worldwide Steppers”
6:39 “Die Hard” Feat. Blxst & Amanda Reifer
8:07 “Father Time” Feat. Sampha
10:31 “Rich” (Interlude)
11:19 “Rich Spirit”
11:55 “We Cry Together” Feat. Taylour Paige
14:14 “Purple Hearts” Feat. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah
DISC 2: MR. MORALE
14:54 “Count Me Out”
16:25 “Crown”
17:19 “Silent Hill” Feat. Kodak Black
18:30 “Savior” (Interlude)
19:45 “Savior” Feat. Baby Keem & Sam Dew
25:02 “Auntie Diaries”
29:29 “Mr. Morale” Feat. Tanna Leone
30:05 “Mother I Sober” Feat. Beth Gibbons Of Portishead
33:02 “Mirror”
🐐
God bless you
How do you know which song is on disc 1/disc 2? Is there any cd/vinyl out anywhere?
W manz
Thank you ❤️
i hope this doesn’t come off wrong but this album also humanised kendrick, he discussed his faults and shortcomings but he spoke so bluntly and emotionally about himself here and it gave me a look inside the pressure he deals with, sonically this aligns with my taste as well
And he didn't do this with any previous album like hell??? You ain't listened to tpab????
@@martinebonita2658 he did it on a deeper level here i feel, he attacked the route of his problems and emotions, like he took time to analyse how he felt not just say it
@@martinebonita2658 not to the level of this tho. Almost every kendrick album does to some extent but tpab was more about African American issues in general while this was strictly about him.
Yeah, and I also think this album almost HAS to require more than one listen. I wasnt sure about it at first, but now it's... Yeah. It's a masterpiece to me. It's a classic already. But you dont get that on the first listen necessarily
@@Official_KC fully agree I listened as it came out and was a bit doubtful but on a second listen later during work it was amazing
Count Me Out is a top tier track, I don't know how you can't say it's not hitting
Literally my favorite track rn. 😩
Bro I cringed so hard when he skipped it. Literally right before it slaps.
As soon as I heard the tripping falling vocals in the back I knew man it’s so good
Bro literally the best Song
é a minha música favorita de mr morale! é tão boa
I love how Shawn has the backbone to stick to his guns and stand on his opinion, even when he is overwhelmingly wrong
dont know how all these people saying they didnt like it first listen. for me it was 8/10 first listen. now its a 9.3/10
LMFAO
LMAOO
imagine caring this much about a talentless music consumer's opinion.
I mean isn't there the message in the album that there is no 'wrong' or 'right'?
Loved your feature on we cry together Shawn I thought you and Kendrick going back and forth was amazing
😭
RELAX lmao
I get it LOL 💀💀🤣
Get your meme comment to theneedledrop please
@@HipHopfan_ you really trying with that username huh
This was definitely Kendrick’s most personal album, he is being transparent and honest. It feels like he has accepted his problems and is eager to heal and fix himself.
It’s 444 on steroids imo
@@emandagoat401 i always thought his album cover would have the same colors as 4:44
This album is phenomenal and I think out does all his previous ones
@@MyReBeLz1 me too
Nah DAMN was more personal
Off first listen, I was reeeeeal iffy on this album. But after listening to it over the weekend, it’s already grown on me SIGNIFICANTLY. That’s what I love about Kendrick, his music is SO TIMELESS.
I feel the exact same, even with tpab
@@HueyFreeman_ yes exactly, for a lot of people when tpab first came out, people were shitting on it, but after a while it grew on them and now its seen as one of the best albums ever created
Felt that way about this album, damn, and section 80. I thought they were all 5-6/10 but after relistening they are atleast 8.5s
You’ve basically listen to it enough to force yourself to like it more.. that’s all that happen lol
@@ethermac9015 what a senseless opinion, listening to something too many times would cause you to get tired of it and find it annoying, its not "forcing yourself to like it".
“When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan?”
This album is a fleshed out look at the effect of this fear of his, and ultimately freeing himself from this question that I’m sure haunted him. I’m still a fan.
Word. He has partly opened up to us all throughout his career. But this. He opened everything in his mind to us that he had left and became fully exposed and vulnerable in this album. The most personal album and along with everything he has already given us, his fans are now feeling like we know all of him 100%. Now we’re gonna see who’s still a fan of the real Kendrick Lamar.
Everything I’m not made me everything I am. Oh wait wrong album
Im not
@@tranebur5450 nobody cares
Not really shit hasn’t hit the fan
This is Kendrick’s most personal album. Mother I Sober and Auntie Diaries almost made cry.
I think it will never get over Mother I Sober
Powerful tracks
Exactly bro it’s so sad what kendrick had to go through and there is a chance that since they mentioned Demetrius it could be from Sheranes perspective from GKMC🥲
No it’s not😭
Deadass cried at Father Time, Auntie Diaries, and Mother I Sober. I went into this album with zero expectations and I was just sorting some papers. Some of these songs just hit different as young adult, seeing childhood trauma continue to dictate us today. This is a huge album for me.
This might sound weird but I’m glad this album is divisive. Kendrick needs something like this in his discography. This project has some of his best songwriting ever and is so intresting the direction he’s going for on here.
It keeps growing on me after each listen
Damn was divisive at first too. I'd go as far as to say that it was more negative feedback than positive. But it grew on everyone. So will this
Yeah honestly, As a Kanye fan this is my favorite Kendrick album. It’s the album that sets him apart from the rest of the crowd, kinda like an 808s or a TLOP
@@staigenerator2949 I'm a huge ye fan as well. I think this is a lot better album than people are giving it credit for. I still think TPAB is his best and for me, Damn gets played the most in my rotation. I think the TLOP analogy is pretty good
someone told me that Kendricks Discog mirrors that of OutKast or The Beatles' Discographies, and both of those groups have divisive double albums but they both grew over time. I think that this will age with time or just a bit of retrospective.
@@Angelo-r-b I hear the 3 stacks influence
Everyone says it’s not an album you can play over and over again but I havent stopped listening since it dropped and fall more and more in love every time this is a phenomenal album
Chef boyarbae the people like this guy I could care less about his opinion to me this album is about kendrick and his life. This album is phenomenal I guess if kendrick put a couple pop Rao songs this guy would have been happy.
Literally bro! I've relistened non stop like
@@atemalual have you got tickets yet?
Yeah I don’t understand that…. not every single song bangs, but the ones that do are SOOOO HARD
Same. I don’t get how it’s so polarizing. He had writers block for two years. He found what he needed to write about. We get to hear it and I think musically it’s interesting and experimental. Sometimes haunting. Loved Shaun’s perspective tho.
On United grief (1st song) he started off the song by saying he has been going through something for 1855 days. That is how many days ago he dropped DAMN. At the beginning of the song Whitney (his fiancé) tells him to "Tell Them what's been going on". Them being the therapist and now us. You can clearly tell he is reluctant to open up and talk to the therapist. This is his first session. Then the whole album he continues to take us through his sessions and his growth. Growth is not always an upward projection. A lot of the time it's anger, denial, it's ranting. It is realizing things you have not realized before. And sometimes it's saying fuck what everyone else feels. And that is exactly what the first side of the album is. Then the second side of the album starts with" Session 10. We reached a breakthrough. And the second album is that breakthrough. It is him admitting his guilt, his anger, his hurt, his wrongs, his trauma, his family trauma and accepting it and healing from it. And loving himself. Again this is not an upward trajectory either. But the album ends with him choosing himself. This whole album takes us through his self-love journey through trauma and pain. And he shows this process is not easy, pretty, or conventional. It is personal and it is the hardest journey anyone would have to take in their life. But it is so rewarding.
Good breakdown
Thank you for the explanation. Perfectly said.
copypasta but maybe accurate
I love this comment masterful breakdown
Perfect
0:56 United in Grief
3:19 N95
5:13 Worldwide Steppers
6:40 Die Hard
8:08 Father Time
10:30 Rich (Interlude)
11:19 Rich Spirit
11:55 We Cry Together
14:14 Purple Hearts
14:55 Count Me Out
16:24 Crown
17:18 Slient Hill
18:30 Savior (Interlude)
19:45 Savior
25:02 Auntie Diaries
29:29 Mr. Morale
30:06 Mother I Sober
33:00 Mirror
🐐 👑
👑
I can respect Shawn’s opinion on MM&TBS. And honestly am not surprised when people say they’re not feeling the album. After listening to it in full about three times so far, I can tell that Kendrick intentionally avoided putting much emphasis on making club bangers or radio friendly tracks. He also wasn’t interested in barring us to death with amazing wordplay.
The focus of this project was to openly focus on his inner demons as well as that of “black culture” in a way the was beautifully poetic but not necessarily to flex his emceeing skills. That was clearly going to take center stage alone while production and emceeing skills were going to take a back seat to that.
The reason, I feel, that he did this is because he wants the listener (particularly those in the “black community”) to inspired and reflective of their own inner demons.
IMHO, every great music artist should have at least one of these types of projects where they have the balls to say “I’m going to put together this deeply personal or experimental album that I know most people may not feel. But if you can relate to it come on this journey with me.” I can relate to this album immensely. I love the use of piano on several of the tracks. They put me in a contemplative mood to think about my own inner demons when I’m listening to them. It’s cathartic. Most of this album has high replay value for me.
My two cents.
Yh j cole did this on 4 your eyes only...and people rued and said trash, because they wanted another radio hit like wet dreamz
i cant respect his opinoin because man listened to the album only once
I agree with this take. You're probably the most honest one I've seen. I also love the album but I do see why ppl would be divided
People like you make me appreciate the intricacies of music even more. The fact you got all of this already is a testament to Kendrick's amazing work as an artist in general. Album gets better with every listen for me
@@Rell-o7f Bro I was just saying this.
He said it best on "Crown":
*I can't please everybody.*
And that's totally fine.
Fellas were really upset at DAMM for not being super deep like TPAB, now upset at this album for not having a bunch of bangers and radio-readys like DAMN...
EXACTLY!!!!!! and people were upset at tpab because it wasn't as hardcore as gkmc.
Like he said on MMATBS, can’t please everybody.
@@illgates2940 100% true. He definitely didn't please me
i think the album that was probably good at both was GKMC
even if i think TPAB was better, you have to admit that GKMC was probably his "perfect album" in terms of being very appealing to a massive audience but at the same time very deep and meaningful
@@GeckoZob I agree
the diversity in all of kendrick’s albums are actually insane 🐐
It’s beautiful
Ong yes💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
Bro on god
That part, even if this isn’t my favorite the man knows how to expand his artistry and I appreciate him for that
Diverse? Absolutely. But I’d be lying if I said I’m returning to many songs from this album - narratively tho like Shawn said - it’s great and interesting.. but musically? It’s not hitting in the same way others songs have done for me.
the baby keem interlude is incredible. I mean like "My Uncle Would Tell Me The Shit In The Movies could Only Be Magic, This Year, I Did Forty-Three Shows And Took It All Home To Buy Him A Casket" is such a good bar.
Can you explain this bar? I’m not getting much from it ?
His uncle told him that his dreams were basically unattainable. After Keem did 43 shows he was ready to come home and show him he fulfilled his dreams and spend some of the money he made on him. Unfortunately, the only thing he could buy him was a casket because he passed away.
That was one of the most powerful bars. And both the Savior tracks are my favs
@@Fresh-Essence_22 maybe I’m reading into it too much, but the casket also plays on the classic use of a casket to saw someone in half for a magic show?
@@catalyst7269 hmm interesting take actually but not where he was going with that
This album felt a lot more emotional, powerful, thematically deep, and versatile than DAMN. I personally believe that Kendrick took a lot more risks here than he did with DAMN and overall I liked the songs a lot more here than on DAMN. The album was very beautiful in the Melodie’s and themes kendrick conveyed with each song and it definitely isn’t a radio friendly album, but that’s what makes it so beautiful and enchanting. This was Kendricks raw, emotional therapy session and I love it!
I agree 💯
for me it feels like an album you listen to alone and reflect on life
Thats exactly what i was thinking the songs may not be as good as damn but they certainly feel great to listen to them because you can relate to them
I can agree with everything but versatile I really don't think this album is versatile at all when compared to something like DAMN.
You said exactly how i feel
this album changed my life. before i was paralyzed with no money and home. But after listening to the album, I now am cured, won the lottery, and living in a mansion.
DAT
LMAO. Guess that's apparently the power of a long awaited Kendrick album. SMH.
Count me out - made my leg disabled sister start walking again - but then she went back to being disabled when the song ended.. still tho - great song.
Dat 🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I have never been more in a disagreement of a album like I don’t understand how people think it’s bad I personally love it.
Why do you love it?
@@brotherchason I love it because how experimental and different his flows sounds from his other albums. I love the lyrical themes throughout the album about self acceptance, toxic masculinity, and the commentary on our culture. And I generally just love the vibe and the instrumentals on the album.
@@samisellam6969 gay excuse to like a shit album
@@samisellam6969 he did say new flows coming be patient brotha
Kendrick is one of the greats but I struggle with this album. Lyrically of course it's there... It's Kenny after all! to me it just doesn't have that timeless sound like GKMC & TPABF. Love United in grief & Savior though. As important as his messages are I also need that groove. This album is missing it imo & has left me bitterly disappointed especially after a 5 year wait. Sound is too close to the Black Panther ST & Damn which I wasn't a fan of. You can't hit the mark every time I guess
You gotta be open to new flows and content in today’s music. You’re tripping if you think N95 wasn’t good sonically. Synths went crazy
if N95 stayed on Vent from Baby Keem, it would not have received as much criticism. Hell, if Baby Keem rapped N95 it would probably be praised as a classic song. Mfs just do not wanna hear kendrick rap w a new flow.
@@kruthik8642 yep, people don't like change
Saying this album is his weakest writing is wild to me. Father Time, Savior, United In Grief, etc are all phenomenally written songs, and Mother I Sober is legitimately one of his best written songs. I get that it doesn’t have replay value/hits because it’s so personal/experiential, but to say the writing isn’t up to par compared to past albums is bizarre.
He smoking on dicks. That’s all I could say. It doesn’t have the raw banger sneak dissing energy or the political shit this time around but to say weakest writing lol. He must have never listened to the first lp not section 80. Honestly this is some great stuff and if this is Kendrick’s final album he had a great run and went out his way.
I mean it’s not ..but it’s a good song that deserves to be in some of his best songs he’s made ..there’s still time for this to grow but he’s never made anything close to tpab and gkmc since
@@uglysegura9616 That a matter of opinion. And I personally respectfully disagree. People tend to hold things their nostalgic about in high regard.
It’s not bizarre at all. There are lyrical highlights but I definitely think this is his weakest writing that’s not a bad take. Even the personal moments are a lot more literal and less poetic than in his previous albums. By Kendricks standards the writing is a bit dissappinting
@@uglysegura9616 I respectfully disagree. This album is a bit harder to digest than GKMC and TPAB, and the writing goes to show for that which can make it harder to resonate with. But when it eventually does, it reveals so much about not only Kendrick, but ourselves.
I’m mexican, and I don’t want this to seem like I’m trying to steal black trauma. But Mother I Sober really spoke to me and borderline triggered me because I went through something similar and so has my family. It’s happened a lot to us as well, just in different ways. Or maybe its the same idk. But Kendrick speaking so openly about it felt almost empowering because it felt like someone was speaking up for male sexual abuse victims for the first time in hip hop, even music. I hardly ever see that in any genre.
We all go through it fam
A lot of parallels in the Black and Brown experience. Not exactly the same but many similarities. Your feelings are valid.
Listen, first of all you have something in common with us all… You’re human.
Where you come from doesn’t matter; we all go through it in one way or another.
No matter what the effed up situation is.
It’s a human experience.
Keep you head up! 💯👊🏾🖖🏾
me too man, im a white fellow and it brought me to tears, even if im missing a certain cultural context.. even if my family's experience's aren't rooted in racism it still hits home
hope you and your family are keeping well after your trauma 💙
Bro.......you Black.....ancestors were slaves.....
This is why music is beautiful. I have the exact opposite opinion as Shawn, and still respect his. This unites everybody
As a therapist myself, I remember during our training we are taught that genuine change only happens through honest discourse. If you are racist, sexist, homophobic, you have to speak about your attitudes and beliefs fully and honestly. BUT you have to recognize and validate the anger that comes from marginalized groups during your conversations. If you let people that have stereotypes or prejudice beliefs continue to hide their genuine thoughts, there is ZERO possibility of changing that persons perception.
Exactly!
Thats just the thinking of a racist trying to validate those feelings , to make them normal again and not take accountability for your family actions … or thats what I imagine some woke jack*ss would say .
Wow!
-ism, phobias my ass
@@aplace5791 ?
This album is not an album filled with bangers. It is an album that he made for himself. He is acknowledging himself and is addressing his own emotions and what he has to deal with.
but it still has bangers tho. n95, rich sprit, silent hill... etc
It's not that deep bro.
@@aaronsalazar746 🤦🏾
@@aaronsalazar746 but it is
@@aaronsalazar746 it is blud
If I’m understanding the overarching concept, side A is the big steppers. It’s the his old lifestyle, the posturing, the overconfidence, and the questions it all raises. And then side B, Mr. Morale, is about him becoming removed from those life situations. As Shawn said he’s finally in the quiet and having time to unpack his trauma. It literally starts with a song called Count Me Out (yes I know it’s used in a different context in the song but he’s Kendrick so I don’t think it’s a reach to say it’s layered) and ends with him saying he chooses him and releasing himself from the obligations he feels people have put on him as an artist and person.
You have honestly hit the nail on the head here
Yep brilliant take
@Hasan Piker most definitely overly simplistic. I definitely don’t think I can break down a Kendrick album, six years in the making, with one paragraph lol this was more of a 24 hour analysis, I feel like I’m pulling back new layers with every listen lol
This isn't an entertainment album - it's a therapy album. I don't really see myself replaying individual tracks, but I'll be listening to the whole thing over and over.
That's exactly how I listen to the album as well.
@@Hadogei123456789 same😭😭
father time, count me out, and savior are all absolute bangers
The title track is a banger I have it on repeat. Mr. Morale
@@Mr.RueBean mirror, purple hearts, rich spirit, N95, Die hard
This one gonna get better as time goes on. I already like it more today than I did last night.
Same
didnt like it first listen love it after ive listened like 4 times now
@@arunmason9601 same
Same here
Kendrick has done enough for all of us, I’m happy that he’s making the music he wants to make above anything else, it’s rare somebody of his level gets this much artistic freedom in this current day and it’s beautiful to see
HELL FUCKING YAH MAN!! To me, that is the BEST ART.
Exactly what I said.With his talent,he could’ve easily made music people wanted to hear instead he made music we needed to hear and he knew we’d tune in anyways.I think this album is going to age beautifully.
Fr fr
@@tujaun1 exactly he coulda made a bunch of bangers
I will never understand why a lot of people didn’t love this in the first listen. This album had so much uniqueness and beauty and even some bangers. I enjoyed almost every song first listen because of the flows, the deeper meanings, the productions, and the I liked the features
This album is theatrical in all the right ways, it's unlike anything we've heard from him before and I think it'll grow on me even more. It's already great after the first listen. This is the most vulnerable we've ever seen Kenny. This is pure art.
Literally his greatest album and I stand by that
Yessssss
@@MyReBeLz1 yes
@@MyReBeLz1 bruh it just came out, damn. (Pun intended)
Theatrical is definitely the right word. It feels like hearing a movie. Each song is definitely a story being told.
Everyone was expecting a gangsta ass album reflecting on todays society instead we got a really poetic soul exploring album
We cry together, father time, auntie diaries and mother l sober have such a good storytelling concept
100%
The Crown was one most pivotal songs I think Kendrick has done. I think everyone just wants Damn 2.0 or Good Kid part 2. And this album is far from that. Which I’m pretty thankful for.
It's a good album to reflect on but in terms of enjoyability it's very very dim... There's some tracks like mr morald a wct but man, almost no replay value
@@Okkotsu86275 he basically took all the past albums and summed it up in this that’s all 💯
@@sue3timez575 meh I'm really enjoying relistening to the album
Kendrick most personal album, it’s like every song is almost like a rant or him venting to someone or something. This album has so much to take in and settle. When I first heard TPAB I was disappointed because it was different and not like GKMC. Although with more listens and time I loved and enjoyed TPAB, this album I feel like is going to age like fine wine. Give the album some time and take it in and enjoy it.🫂
The reason I love GKMC so much is because it managed to perfectly blend a deep artistic narrative and entertainment. The rest of Kendrick's career has felt like sacrificing one for another a little bit
@@seabassdarapper TPAB was a musical masterpiece though. I don't know I don't really like the sound of GKMC...
Very personal, first time listening though you can tell
Honestly this album is like him running out of things to rap about
It’s not necessarily bad but it’s kind of a mid - Kendrick (upper mid but still)
@@seabassdarapper can’t agree more. GKMC very easy and enjoyable listening experience especially compared to TPAB
This is one of the first albums I’ve listened to in a long time that is so ahead of its time. This is how beautiful rap/ hip hop can be. I’ve been listening to k dot for a really long time and I never expected him to reach this level of artistry. This is how you take your art and push it to the next level.
"The point of art is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed." As someone who has wrestled with my gender and sexuality since childhood, I really don't see a problem with Auntie Diaries. Pretty much this whole album is confrontational and provocative, it's supposed to take aspects of ourselves we don't like and smack us in the face with it. I think this song is most effective for people in exactly Kendrick's position, people who have/had double standards on the usage of slurs in a casual context. And the only way to get the point across is to put it in bold text. Intention is important, and Kendrick is basically saying "gay and trans rights", so anyone who wants to be upset by that needs to do some healing themselves. Plenty of other things have explored this like South Park and IASIP, understanding slurs in context is what matters. Like if a college professor got fired for reading a text from the Jim Crow era with racial slurs in it, most people would be confused and mad af about that. Context matters always. The last part of the song is meant to be cynical, Kendrick doesn't want a free for all of slurs being tossed around. He's condemning their use in a context of not understanding the pain it might cause someone else. He knows his usage could potentially be hurtful, but imo that's really only the case if someone isn't really listening to what he's saying on the song. Just my two cents.
edit: the "if Jack Harlow did dadada" argument doesn't hold up as much as it seems. Kendrick and LGBTQIA+ are members of a minority, Jack Harlow is a straight, white male. Is Kendrick functioning from a place of privilege? Sure, but nowhere near the level of a white rapper (which is its own can of worms) choosing to say the N-word to pat themselves on the back to their primarily white audience for how no longer racist they are.
Thanks people don’t understand art they just love playing victim instead of seeing where people are coming. From self expression right or wrong is art I love to see people true thoughts rather than them trying to skate around people feeling about what politically correct don’t be be honest
im so glad kendrick talked about what he did on auntie diaries he is clearly supportive of trans people and shows his growth as a person overtime on the issue
Spot on fr
EXACTLY!!! I resonate so much with that song as a bisexual. I would use the slurs casually to play a hyper masculine facade when I was really only dehumanizing myself in the process. VERY POWERFUL SONG!
Gustave courbet quote?
This album is in the vein of TPAB in that we expected one thing and he did something completely different. The more I listened to it, the more I fucking love this album.
Exactly
Exactly bro... I think people who are upset are people that wanted him to release what they wanted but something about Kendrick is that he gives us something different with each album.. Even changes names to show that it's a new person rapping.. But as Oklama said.. " u can't please everybody"
I absolutely love it!!!!!
@@IV_Studio but to go and compromise ones sound is to go from making albums to spread awareness and not caring about getting a “hit” to now making a whole album jus to get some hits; it’s not kendrick. kendrick has been about messages and good music, not good music with messages he’s already spread. man has no more words to say, he shoulda stopped making music after DAMN but instead he ghost writes most of baby keems music and then goes to making the same exact music as baby keem. it’s funny tbh, man was the best rapper of all time and now he has a dirty spot on a resume nobody had in rap and now he’s jus exposing the hypocrisy in his own work. TPAB is his best and nothing compares bruh. DAMN explained his inner workings better than any album and GKMC expresses his culture and the hypocrisy of it already, he didn’t spread a single new message besides the fact that he’s family oriented now instead of focusing on music. he shoulda jus kept his discography the way it was, he’s one of the greatest but no longer the greatest.
@@KidGamer537 what are you on about this album isn’t about hits and has _a lot_ to say.
A sentiment I've seen floating around is that Kendrick Lamar made the album he wanted to make, and he doesn't personally care too much about how people take him anymore. I personally agree.
That’s part of what Mirror’s about
@@Flamerunner451 exactly
Honestly after knowing that I appreciate the album even more.
Thats exactly what eminem did with revival, yet people trashed it like crazy lol, yet they don't know this music wasn't for them, it was for HIM. This kendrick album right here is dope, this album is for HIM.
@@RKO94-49 Don't compare. I didn't like the album because it's not for me, but it's not a bad album. Eminem albums were progressively trash until it got so bad people stop being bias fans
I also feel like Shawn is lowkey some people kendrick was talking about on certain songs too. Like trying to hard to intricately decipher each line each bar to the T and he’s like “kendrick made you think about it but he’s not your savior” like kendrick literally sayin brah not every bar is that crazy i’m trynna be human.
I agree, for me this album is meant to make everyone think about how we can be so righteous about things, throw criticism, but we're all hypocrites to an extent, and as much as people don't want to admit it we all have prejudices. I respect Kendrick for being honest about it. This review was a bit too surface level for me, feel like he should have been more open minded. Also people forget that Kendrick is often playing a part in his song or maybe acting out an experience. It doesn't always mean that's what he thinks now...
On Mother I Sober he’s describing his mom being “touched” and worrying about if Kendrick had been “touched” . Although he keeps saying no, he wants to prove it didn’t happens by having sex with a lot of women, which has now affected his relationship. But before it can haunt his children, because he has put everything on the table, and addressed it, he can move forward now . Breaking generational curses. Then he goes on to celebrate because now he doesn’t hate himself, he loves himself and is making better decisions now
Right?! That’s how I understood it. 👍🏽
this
yesss this album was so dope boggles my mind some people call it trash
Yes but to think that is some grand conclusion that needed to be decoded is delusional. This album was not that “deep” but that’s ok. Mother I Sober is a top 10 Kendrick song.
@@Kinobambino opinions I suppose
The whole album is Kendrick growing from his ignorance and showing how certain elements of life and the culture can trap you, it’s one big therapy session the disc 1 is Kendrick showing all his frustrations and his issues, the second disc is Kendrick breaking through and kind of accepting the fact that he can’t change his perspective to please the world or please anyone and he basically states that he accepts how ignorant he was in the past and that he moves past it with his own opinion that no one can change
He used this album as a breaking of generational curses that plagued his family as well as giving the culture permission to start breaking ours even if it's by using him as a sacrifice. Tuff
The album is a breath of fresh air from the world we live in today. It's so raw, deep, honest, real, and full of emotion. It depicts the struggles and hardships we all go through that today's culture seems to mask and pretend isn't there
Don't get me wrong, I love party bangers and artists like Yeat, Ericdoa, and midwxst, but nothing I've listened to in the past decade hit me as hard as this album. It's so personal and introspective to the point where it's uncomfortable at times, but that's why I love it. Idk if I would put this or GKMC as my number 1 cuz they are both just so good.
Messages were a 10/10. Presentation for the majority of the album were 6/10 for me. Still amazing
@@thethiccdonut5257 straight facts. Each song was so raw with emotion, I was able to actually feel it. I haven't had an album do that to me in a long time. K dot's just on another level of artistry and creativity
All those new rappers glamorized drug usage and escapism. Kendrick goes straight to the point of how he feels, thinks, and how he has grown to see the bigger picture
This might be a different take on it but I feel like Artist like Kendrick and J. Cole maybe even Kanye go through different stages in their lives that molds their crafts. And at the end of the day they just end up competing with themselves to reach a level of artistry that isn’t achievable anymore because they’re not in the same state of mind. Kanye will never Make another album like College dropout. J. Cole will never make another album like Forest Hills Drive. And Kendrick will never make another good kid mad city. As much as I love to pimp a butterfly and damn I think it’s a good thing it shows growth. we have to adjust to their art. I actually liked a lot of songs in this album but you’re right some of the songs just weren’t hitting maybe because I’m not in his State of mind. I’m gonna listen to this album maybe six more times before I can Properly assess it.
The constant theme of tap dancing through the album is meant to highlight how we all dance around our problems and that we need to face them- we cry together/ Purple Hearts show the two contrasting sides of love- how it can be so bad and good at the same time.
cornball
That’s cool … what about how it sounded
@@Rr48. shit sounds amazing too. Next question.
😅 Kendrick Lamar fans are built different
"Tap dancing through the album is meant to highlight how we dance around our problems"
But I get it, it's art, we interpret it how we want
@@Gintoki_Madao Bruh go listen to we cry together 5:37 minute mark.
this album gonna be a staple in hip hop when people wanna look at storytelling. this album does it picture perfect.
Agreed, the storytelling and art is amazing
HANDS DOWN!!!
Give it a couple years, people will come around
@ChuckDaProducer Exactly, poetry is nice but at the end of the day for me its still music thats kinda mild
idk how the fuck people think this is one of Kendricks best albums. it's just too much.
PART UNO
0:57 United In Grief
3:19 N95
5:14 Worldwide Steppers
6:40 Die Hard
8:15 Father Time
10:30 Rich (interlude)
11:20 Rich Spirit
11:57 We Cry Together
14:16 Purple Hearts
PART DOS
14:50 Count Me Out
16:20 Crown
17:19 Silent Hill
18:30 Savior (interlude)
19:45 Savior
25:00 Auntie Diaries
29:27 Mr. Morale
30:00 Mother I Sober
33:00 Mirror
♥️
Nah Shawn missed a lot! You made the one mistake that ordinary Kendrick fans would make which is to “expect” a certain type of album. Your expectations were not met and that’s fine. But that doesn’t make it a bad album or a miss from Kendrick.
having expectations for a kendrick album is one of the worst things to do, cause he always switches things up with every one of them
I don’t think he missed all that much. He more or less processed the primary message of each track immediately
@@husaanshabendri4331 you would think they'd learn after 10 years
Why won't you understand this nigga ain't have taste
Thanks for the honesty Shawn. I felt very similar. I do love the confidence it takes to put out something so personal for the fans though.
This album was Kendrick’s for your eyes only. The most open he’s been. It’s been a lot to dig into and Jesus I love it. I love it just as much I loved DAMN.
Not even close tpab is 4yeo
@@dmcfail987 TPAB is so much better than 4YEO it’s not even funny
@@jasonoh8403 don't compare bruh, u just annoying
This album is in different universe from production standpoint alone
@@jasonoh8403 but 4yeo barely had 10 songs.
Kendrick : I realized life is just perception
Fans : this is mid, 5 years for this?
Other fans : kendrick don't miss, another classic
Kendrick again: I choose me sorry
100%
I am personally all here for Kendrick to heal. I had to learn to stop idolizing and start humanizing instead. I really felt a connection to him on this album personally, and I wish him all the best on this journey. I am just grateful he allowed for us to be part of it :)
Exactly
Juice wrld: nah bro! all girls are the same!
It’s mid
But it’s upper mid all he’s rapping about is problems in his life or his past life or hypothetical problems gets kind of redundant
Decent album nothing great
0:56 “United In Grief”
3:11 “N95”
5:13 “Worldwide Steppers”
6:39 “Die Hard” Feat. Blxst & Amanda Reifer
8:07 “Father Time” Feat. Sampha
10:31 “Rich” (Interlude)
11:19 “Rich Spirit”
11:55 “We Cry Together” Feat. Taylour Paige
14:14 “Purple Hearts” Feat. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah
DISC 2: MR. MORALE
14:54 “Count Me Out”
16:25 “Crown”
17:19 “Silent Hill” Feat. Kodak Black
18:30 “Savior” (Interlude)
19:45 “Savior” Feat. Baby Keem & Sam Dew
25:02 “Auntie Diaries”
29:29 “Mr. Morale” Feat. Tanna Leone
30:05 “Mother I Sober” Feat. Beth Gibbons Of Portishead
33:02 “Mirror”
Can’t wait to be outraged
Only best tracks in the description. It’s gone be good
BRO OUTSIDE of this being a great album but can we talk about how Shawn Cee is really the goat for having guts chillin on his background?! BERSERK FOR THE WIN
Let’s get some love for two goats💞🤧 I wanna see who fucking wit the guts in the background
Shit didn't even see that. I just started trading Berserk, so far it's sick.
RIP MIURA. RIP TO A TRUE KING.
@@SquatsAndOats2plate rip the goat🤧
@@leonghchan bru I just started rereading it because I spent 500$ on the deluxe edition
This album was a very sobering and vulnerable album done by him. I do like the fact that he was being true to himself and simply getting everything off his chest. I feel like this album had to be made so that on his next album, he comes in a bit more at ease and able to just simply spit. Overall, it was an intriguing listening experience for me.
I don’t think we can even begin to speculate what the 🤞next album🤞 will shape up to look like. All I can say is hopefully he’s inspired through this continued self-actualization process to release something else sooner this time. But honestly I’d wait ten years for the next one if I had to (really don’t wanna) because it’ll be imminently worth it.
Sonically, N95 was phenomenally pieced together and executed.
i didnt expect Kendrick would rap on a beat like that
@@brenetssss man all the beats he rapped over was crazy when I first heard United in grief the little noise when he says it kept me in a trance replay that part all the time even to this day
This was Kendrick shedding his skin I felt he needed this in his discography. Musically its mellow which in its own needs to be beared in mind while listening to this album.. The was no need for heavy hitting songs, he had to be vulnerable he's allowed to be his human after all . Shedding his skin for the next LP. Now That He's went through it and talked about it, what's next?
Lol “what’s next” i like this guy
Yea I felt the same way. Felt like Kendrick had a lot to say and just wanted to get it off his chest but I’m already just looking forward to the next album if I’m gonna be real.
The last song makes it sound like he’s stepping away for a while. perhaps indefinitely
@@benjaminb6678 he chose him, he’s sorry
I think what might get some people is that the album is less typically “entertaining” and without bangers than some of his other work. But he trades that in for vulnerability and openness in a project where he says in mirror “I choose me” and more importantly that “you should chose you”. He’s done trying to be anything to anybody or the black savior that the black community lifts him up to be. He’s getting off the soapbox that he tried so hard to preach from and saying he’s only human. Maybe not necessarily the project we wanted, but the project he needed.
On tpab he was open and vulnerable and it also sounded great. Why does he have to trade one in to get the other, he can do both he’s done it before
Yeah, im listening to it for the first time at 12 am and its probably because im tired, but I didnt like the album as much as Damn. I can hear alot of good lyrics and interesting tracks ill relisten to but for me musically so far that the tracks arent different enough from one another. There are definitely fewer bangers and stand outs for me
@@Jack-uf2yw I would argue he’s a lot more open on this project, and due to it’s personal nature it’s not meant to be bumped the same way those other works are. You gotta meet the artist at where they’re coming from with this specific experience rather than trying to compare it to an album that served a totally different purpose to them.
@@Jack-uf2yw what doesn't sound good about it? Like sonically, what's wrong with the sound?
Not what I needed, but it seems like a project that Kendrick needed. If making these songs helped him to work through some stuff, I'm glad he made them. And more power to the people who like this album, but I personally don't like it very much. Sonically it's just not my cup of tea. But that's okay. We don't all have to like the same things.
Lmao man how you got copyright cleared so fast?? ain't no way xD
We need your reaction bro
@@yeshuarc I agree
He’s connected
My Top 10 from the Album (as of now)
1. Mother I Sober
2. Auntie Diaries
3. Father Time
4. We Cry Together
5. Savior
6. Mirror
7. United in Grief
8. N95
9. Mr. Morale
10. Worldwide Steppers
Honestly the album is a roller coaster of gorgeous Melodie’s, insanely personal bars, and some of the absolute hardest experimental beats paired with insanely high quality delivery. I was blown away.
Yeah he pulled it off really well
fr
Same. I loved everything but kodaks verse (his interlude was cool tho)
Where exactly are the gorgeous Melodies? There isn’t a single song on this album that sounds better than TPAB or DAMN
@@slackstarfish8133 you smokin crack?
Personally, I loved this album, and I will definitely listen to it again. It felt incredibly personal and intimate, I thought it was very out there and experimental in ways I liked, and I kinda felt like it represented Kendrick just expressing himself and not caring if people like it or not. It doesn't have a ton of songs I'll throw in the car playlist, sure, but it's definitely the type of thing I can see myself dedicating an hour to again in the future.
and again and again. Super agree with this here.
@@brooklynmedina7676 well he is one...
@@clydejackson5188 stop
@@DirectFireDave wym? he's a friend right?
F is for friends who do stuff together
This album isn’t a movie, a book, or an experience. It feels like a play. A theatrical art that you could sit down and watch this be acted out on broadway.
I felt the exact same way. especially on we cry together
It's music
@@HipHopfan_ well I mean, yeah? But I always hear people say an album feels like a movie or it’s a story that you could read. I don’t think I’ve heard an album and my first thought is that it felt like a play. It’s very interesting
yeah but it gets so slow sometimes... Especially in tracks like N95 it's just downright cringey
Exactly so it’s mid 🤣
Kendrick discography is insane. The diversity in all his albums is soooooooooo surreal. The streak of great albums consecutively being released is only rivaled by YE discography
He’s even more consistent than Ye
@@InfamousAWJ more consistent? go listen to Yes first FIVE albums ….. then listen to Yeezus and Pablo and Ye and Donda 💀🔥🔥🔥🔥
@@youngpxppa3522 808s isn’t great, donda 2 is bad, and Jesus is king is bad. Kendrick has released classics for 4 albums straight. That’s unheard of
@@davinrucker9173 808s is fire
Those 2 are in their own league discography wise
I feel like this album is the “4 your eyes only” of Kendrick’s discography. It’s not banger heavy or really music I’d put in my playlist, but it was like catching up with an old friend on the phone when they’re dealing with some stuff.
If we’re talking quality, comparing this record to that album is wild. That album was good, but this is a classic
@@AdamAdam-md4mi lmao j cole produced that whole album his self damn near… kendrick only produced like 6 songs out of this whole album, don’t ever say some dumb ish like that again bruh.
@@AdamAdam-md4mi i’m a kendrick fan till i die but j cole deserves some respect mf.
@@AdamAdam-md4mi not a classic. Many k dot fans like me can't come to terms with that statement.
@@brajwasi6258 time will tell if this really is a classic
It seems that opinions have been fairly mixed on this album but I personally loved it. Kendrick definitely got super personal on here which I love, explored some new topics, great and varied production, and a solid concept that I think will only get better with time. Definitely preferred the second side to the first but they’re both great. Probably a 9-10/10 imo need more listens to solidify.
Favorite tracks: Mirror, Mother I sober, Mr Morale, auntie diaries, Father Time, untitled in grief
Agree this feels like a matured section 80. Love hearing him open up on his experiences
Idk why I LOVED Savior. I live for those types of background synths
@@Baikuism I agree for sure
People don’t like different. They are missing out. Let them do them
@@YungPhilosopher boring? Bruh you ain’t listening then
i feel satisfied with this album though i can understand why one wouldn’t really like this, listened to it close to 7 times and i can say that i love it more than i loved damn after first hearing it, it’s beautiful BUT it’s an acquired taste
Its okay, his other albums are better. TPAB, GKMC and DAMN are much better.
I mean, most Kendrick albums are an acquired taste lol
@@glebb..3416 too soon to say. Everybody said that about damn and look at us now
ok 7 times in less than a day is impressive. I liked it more than Damn. first listen too
Bro how the fuck do you just listen to the same shit for like 10 hours in not even 24 hours what are you doing wit yo life
i honestly love how different and personal this was it’s not what i expected and at first that made me dislike parts of it but after a few listens i got to appreciate it a lot more as something new to explore and to add to my music taste. i think this is gonna age well
Iwas worried about this very thing happening with this album. People not liking it because it's not a hard rap album feels like this is Kendricks Igor/flower boy where he is just really being incredibly vulnerable his intention is clearly not to make bangers but to make meaningful songs that are truly art imo. Art is expression of ones current state and emotions. This albums vulnerability and direct showcase of trauma really comes off as very human and relatable. Also recognizing I may be biased in loving this album cause of the shit I've come to realize I'm my own life recently as well as things I've gone through recently relationship wise but ithink that's the point. We are all human always going through trials tribulations and trauma ifeel like Shawn just wants bangers from Kendrick and idont love that about this review but to each their own.
Shawn has horrible takes on kendrick lol
@@RomanNewhouse The first four words hold true
Agreed! I’m so glad I waited all weekend to hear from friends or even read or watch any of reviews about this piece. I would be devastated if this was what I relied on… this is definitely album of the 20’s.
"DAMN." was a tough act to follow. That album was covered so much, covered immensely on UA-cam, and Kendrick even won a Pulitzer for it. "MM&TBS", to me is like a "TPAB" or even "Yeezus" that once we give it more time to breathe, it'll be looked back at as a great album.
Great outing from Kendrick. I'm not sure where I rank it compared to his other LPs, as I've only listened to it all the way once, but I think it'll hold up as time passes. Now, the BIG question on everyone's minds: Will "MM&TBS" lose to "Come Home the Kids Miss You" at the Grammy's next year for Best Rap Album? lol
I instantly loved tpab. Can’t get into this one
Macklemore in the grammys flashback 😭
this not even a rap album
I am very surprised DAMN got a Pulitzer. I feel like out of all of his albums it was and is his weakest. Not trying to disrespect him, but I feel like TPAB should have gotten it. That album is just so beautifully written. DAMN as an album would struggle in my mind otherwise. The album conceptually feels like a hangover, which isn't bad, but the feeling is just so pervasive throughout.
It doesn't matter really I guess, its not like we as Americans even know who wins the Pulitzer these days.
If I’m not mistaken, this album is also going to be a stage play as well. After my first listen, that’s all I could see in my head. How all of these tracks played out as ACTS. I didn’t like it my first go around, but with that in mind on my second I found it much more enjoyable and I appreciated more.
Wonder if that's how the tour is gonna be set up
some youtuber mentioned all he is missing is a theatrical sound in his discography . u seen the vid ?
My exact thoughts as well!!
fr!! i can see it for most of these songs
@@JB.3 I haven’t! Do you have a link to it?
Will go down as a classic, this album has so many deep thematic ties alongside bangers upon bangers. This is a big W from the GOAT
Slow down buddy wait 5 years at least
This album seems like an album for himself, he didn’t make a piece of art to sell he made it to truly express himself and all his issues and history.
Not to mention his experiences with gender, race and even class in the US
It's both which is why you have to pay for it
He should of kept it to himself as well
@@ajat3202 nah, by sell I mean make a lot of money, he is able to make killer hooks and bangers that would be played over and over in clubs/events etc
But he decided not to do that
This album is honestly such a masterpiece. It was everything an more I wanted from Kendrick. Thank you King Kenny 🙌🏽
🤴🏿
MASTERPIECE... COME ON MAN...
@@siroscar2790 you gotta really listen to the music bro..
@@takecare3852 NOT THIS TIME... BUT I REALLY LOVE " WE CRY TOGETHER "
THAT'S GOING ON MY KENDRICK LAMAR PLAYLIST.
Everything a masterpiece to you niggas
I really feel like in this record Kendrick is pushing himself to a level of vulnerability and honesty that is unmatched. His willingness to take risks on this album and talk about the remainder of what is weighing heavy on conscious is admirable to me.When it comes to the way the album sounds sonically, Kendrick continues to push music further and comes out with another completely different sound. I don’t think too many people will fuck with this album and that’s okay. As someone who is a big fan of his work I do really love to see the direction being taken here and love it or hate it this is another evolution Kendrick.
I feel like this album had such a clear and strong narrative??? He weaved so many stories, of personal experiences he's been through that left him feeling really morally conflicted. On his relationship between race and love, empathy for male trauma with condemnation of toxic masculinity, the role male aggression can play in relationships, his evolving perspectives on lgbt rights, and his sense of duty to family built upon difficult childhood experiences
on his previous albums i feel like he has been fighting for acceptance and respect from his peers in the world he grew up in. with this album i feel like as he has been transitioning into fatherhood, he's recognizing that actually, the world around him has often played a negative role in his personal growth - that what gets him that respect hasnt always been congruent with his own moral compass.... seeing that that in order to grow into a better person and be a stronger role model for his children he needs to swallow his pride and let go of some of those hang ups. to look internally to concentrate on his own personal growth instead. he's mr morale, sharing his journey of personal growth. by the time he talks about breaking the cycle abuse on Mother I Sober, with his children coming in at the end.... it really feels like a triumphant breakthrough. And the closing track? to me it really sounded like he's recognizing that he's been in a toxic relationship with the community that he loves, and is working on setting some healthy boundaries so that he can put himself first and grow into a better person:
"I realized, true love's not savin' face
But unconditional
When will you let me go?
I trust you’ll find independence
If not, then all is forgiven
Sorry I didn't save the world, my friend
I was too busy buildin' mine again
I choose me, I'm sorry"
This wasn't just the Kendrick album i was hoping for, it really may grow to be my all time favourite. I've heard it through 5 times already and it feels more emotional with each listen. Anyway, love your perspective, i hope it grows on you.
bless.
This comment sums up absolutely every opinion I have on this album
couldn’t have said it better
5 times??? Bruh u diff 😂
I went to an album drop party last night and hear it through twice before I crashed 😅 I really love this freakin album
ur definitely 🅿️
I appreciate your honestly Shawn. I personally loved the album, and as I listen to it more it resonates more and more with me, but your criticisms are valid. And while I see what Kendrick was doing on Auntie Diaries, and think that’s a beautiful song that might be one of his best, I definitely understand the criticism of his language in the song. I think it came from a place of love for him, but see why not everyone would like it
Its wild hypocritical tho again its the LGBT trynna censor black acts . Any rapper could say the wildest shit about black people and white hiphop audiences celebrate that shit .
auntie diaries is probably one of the most controversial songs i've seen, i totally get why someone would be offended by it, and i get why they wouldn't, i think it's a beautiful message despite what can be viewed as issues with it since you don't see big names like his talking about issues like these
The fact he basically said faggot = nigga ruined it for me. There’s no comparison whatsoever. Such a reach
Agreed. It's amazing to see him talk about these issues so candidly. this is from another comment i made bc the song's v important and makes for some great discussions -
I disagree on f-slur and n-word being the same. the f-slur was widely accepted as normal like 15 years ago. i remember saying it casually in elementary school when i didnt know i was trans or gay. that has never been the case in my lifetime for the n-word. i understand the apprehension towards it, but it's effective at holding a mirror to the real ways homophobia manifests, and it's fair if people are made uncomfortable by it. In fact that's probably the intent.
Same goes for misgendering his trans family through most of the song. it's uncomfortable and wrong, but it's a reflection of the very real, subtle transphobia i face on a regular basis, where people outwardly accept me as trans, but I can tell they still think of me as my assigned gender, but a trans person. Not what I identify as.
It was overall really powerful for me. It's amazing imo to see a mainstream artist talk about these issues in a raw, honest way. Makes sense considering how Kendrick has expressed disappointment with his music not actually changing things - his approach now is to be unflinching, and hope people see their own bigotries in it.
@@AmbrosiusIII beautifully written, as much as i feel uncomfortable by his use of the f slur or the misgendering the way it actually serves a purpose for the narrative kinda overrides it for me. a lesser musician wouldve ended up sounding overly preachy and transphobic but i think kendrick pulls it off amazingly
that being said under no circumstances should a white person ever say the n word that was a wack comparison on his part
I disagree, it is obscenely privileged song. I don't care how enlightened or tolerant the point of the song is, it's pretty telling that he can't accept queer people unless he realises some of them are black or Christian. Furthermore, this isn't even really a song about how trans people and gay people are suffering, and they should get to live. This is a song, really, about how a straight man feels guilty for having once been bigoted. That's a good message and all, but that's insufferable, you get it? It's like those white people movies they keep making about how they discovered racism is evil and theyre really stricken woth grief that they didn't realise black people were people too; I guess it's better than still being racist, but it defeats the point that even when talking about people suffering you make it about yourself being hurt once. Like, is racism really a bigger issue for white people who used to be racist than it is for the black people they were killing? If that's not the case, shouldn't they just shut up and let black people speak for themselves? Kendrick is a cis straight man, he's black, but he's a christian American, it's not his place to speak and he's coming off as that right now, as though it hurt him more that he was a bigot once than it hurt other people, since black trans people, like his fucking uncle, exist
Plus, like Shawn points out, it doesn't help matters that he's still using the f slur in the song itself, and like, his "aunt" is a man "now"? And he's talking about how he used to be ignorant but now he respects "her", but he's still calling him a woman? That completely defeats the point of the message. He's made a song showing off his guilt, and in the title and throughout the song he keeps disrespecting him. Again, the fact that he raises the point of the white girl saying the n slur is ironic, because doesn't thst mean it's a persond job, if they don't want to be a bigot, to learn and accept others rules? He just rapped about being an asshole but used the f word multiple times and still calls a trans man his auntie, is he really just saying let's let white women say nigga then? Since like, their heart is in the right place, like his is .
As a trans person this song makes me uncomfortable. It reminds me that a whole decade ago kanye west was on tv calling rappers hypocritical for being homophobic yet in yandhi he was joking about his in law being intersex. It makes me realise that kendrick lamar is like, one of the smartest, most culturally conscious black people, very left wing, and he still can't understand my existence. If anything this song just tells me he would blame us for not forgiving Chapelle
@@gashacybin yeah the words are really not at all like each other, but i took it more as him trying to say that no one from outside groups should say said slurs, if you're against one slur you should be against all, no exceptions like he had when he was ignorant
This is literally Kendrick’s 4 Your Eyes Only . Just based on the personal an introspective topics he showcased 4 this album .
Cole did the same 4 that album as well . No real bangers but definitely grown man music an a beautiful listen .
Agreed.
4yeo>
4 your eyes only was better
444 life is good 4 your eyes only
Felt more like kod in the way that it’s soul searching and talking bout the problems in society
We Cry Together was one of the most entertaining/hilarious songs I've heard in a good while, and in a good sense too. It's so well written
I must be such a crybaby bc that song was heartbreaking
facts 💯
I know right😂😂
@@lautapinter same here man... That song hurt with my current situation. Easily my AOTY
Legit it was so funny when they going back and forth just saying “bish” and “ninja”
HOW DO YOU NOT LIKE N95 someone hold me back
Fr lol that shit goes hard but I feel like if he listened to the album all the way through 2-3 times he would probably like it
FACTS
Because the song is mediocre
@@gabrielkissell7464 honestly man. Yeah the album hasn’t aged as well for me as I hoped
@@YoMamasLlama22 I think it’s still amazing, I would give all the songs a 9. I replay it so much lol.
This is the 4:44 version of kendrick Lamar. A more personal, introspective, emotions filled album. On first listen it doesn't hold reply value like DAMN did. Radio hits like DNA , HUMBLE aint in this album but i think he made it for "himself" like he said in an interview in 2015.
AND I GUESS THAT'S WHAT MUSIC is suppose to be for an artist.
Make wat you want n how you feel if people dont like it or appreciate it. Well it is wat it is.
I agree!!! Easily one of my all time favorites from him!!!
444 was better
Very first thoughts I had with album, it's so similar in that sense
@@edrushhh but both artist are at different times in their life as artist n on a personal level. That was Jays 14th studio album as compared to Kendricks 5th. Its more like when Ye released Yeezus n people shited and hated it.
"I chose me I'm sorry"
he just announced the tour for the album and i’m really curious how he’s gonna present this album in a tour type setting
Someway similar to the Yeezus tour?
Very honest Reaction/Review. Definitely enjoy your thoughts and opinion about the album. This album is a masterpiece. Very much needed. Starts a conversation.
The album is about breaking generational curses. It's personal but its not just for himself, it's for everyone, especially the black community, who are haunted by the traumas experienced by our ancestors.
What about jews, what about indians, what about the Chinese, what about Koreans...everyone has experienced haunting tragedies more so than black people
Yeah only white teenagers hate on this album, I mean t he y got the like of carti and future all those years
@@realzhella6817 chinese, Indian ? Experiencing more than black people lol. You probably think buffalo mass shooting was not racially motivated. Indian can have their rapper on who they can relate or white pop star.
@@eddythewire3755 see this victim mentality is what's gonna get you no where
@@realzhella6817 Sure, many demographics of people have experienced trauma, but the trauma of black people is unique in it’s been a prolonged cycle of abuse. That’s why this trauma is ‘generational’ and why so many negative patterns have been ingrained into our psyche and then passed on to the next generation. Black trauma is unique in that way. ‘More so?’ Come on dude I don’t know if that’s true.
Even if what your saying is true, he isn’t really obligated or in the right really to speak on the traumas of other demographics of people, he’s a black man, not Chinese, Korean, etc. If any of those demographics of people can truly relate to what he’s saying there’s no one stopping them from hearing the message as well. But the message is primarily targeted towards the black community because, he is black obviously, and we genuinely need to hear this the most.
Most vulnerable and introspective album Kendrick's ever done. Heavy lyrics and subject matter mixed with bangers and the production is instantly impressive in 2022 in this era. Raw expression man... changed his sound again. Let this album marinate, that's all I gotta say.
What bangers???
@@_truthBtold It's got like 4 songs that I can bop to but DNA bangs harder that all of them combined.
While I like this album, respectfully, there are no bangers.
@@Blackmagic_874 he is a rapper, a true one💯everything ain’t about hits all the time if you want something like that go listen to CLB
@@slumcitykidd9576 You obviously didn't read my comment. I liked the album.
This album is a conceptual album, not a playlist of bangers. You're absolutely right that sonically it isn't as catchy as past records. But that's also the point of it being so personal, like you said. I had the same reaction on my first listen, but everything hits harder and harder on the 2nd and 3rd time. Give it another try, it grows on you
All of Kendrick’s albums are conceptual & not a playlist of bangers LMAO.
The difference is that this is a personal album for Kendrick & the MOST transparent.
If you like the album & resonate with the personal reflection that’s fine,
But objectively there no high points lyrically & sonically compared to past albums.
@@Anonymous.Throne so GKMC and damn dont have bangers???
@@toasterdotven comprehension is key….
I don’t understand what you guys classify as bangers? Is a mainstream song a banger? This album is a whole banger except we cry together. I just don’t get it.
@@Anonymous.Throne “objectively” ☠️
Not to be harsh, but it seems that you wanted an album that sonically aligned and entertained you + the general populace. But it seems like Kendrick this time around made an album for himself to continue moving forward and that's beautiful to me. It's what he had in him for the past 5 years, and that's what he crafted with. Sure it may not resonate and relate to the overall populace but I think art is for the artist first and foremost. Not everything needs to be relatable, sometimes it's nice to just listen to someone else's story. I think people sometimes forget that artist are people too; they go through their own specific problems and deal with them in their own specific ways. No one's perfect, they aren't always going to be morally correct like a lot people want them to be. But it's still nice to hear and know they want to share their experiences with such a large audience.
He was very clear on the fact that he does not like the way the music sounded simple. He didn't take away from the fact that Kendrick made a personal album he even acknowledged that and said he was happy about out it. He even found the songs relatable what more you what, shawn to lie and say it sounds good when he doesn't think so. He didn't like the songs sonically and thats it, don't paint a picture like shawn didn't appreciate the nuances of the album.
To me, no matter how thematically great an album can be or how personal an album may be, if the songs don’t sound that great, then no concept can redeem that…
@@knowingmathwiz1117 yeah the problem is that it’s just not for you. People have to understand that something cannot be your taste and still be good. The definition of sounding good is subjective because on first listen I liked all of the weirder sounding tracks that Sean hated and found the ones he liked kinda boring. I don’t think artists should be in service of pleasing the public because they’re not a commodity. They should be able to make what they want and I can accept it on its own merits.
@@Vageta1999 Hear, hear! I think the sonics on here are absolutely incredible... there's just not a bunch of club bangers! This may end up my personal favorite album of his...
Especially funny because he was just saying he didn't want more of the same from Kendrick a week or two ago in another video. Well Kendrick went a different direction and guess what? Turns out Shawn actually just wanted DAMN pt 2
People dont understand how different tastes can be, because as someone who likes Kendricks depth, this has so much replayability to me
This project had many album cuts, it was therapeutic and thought provoking. Some elements reminded me of Section 80. It didn’t have as many hits as DAMN & GKMC, but true Kendrick fans listen to him for both sides of him. I think this was needed in an industry soaked in Tik-Tok / street rap. To me it’s a classic. 9/10
"Classic" bro it hasnt even been a day
I'm from the future this shit a classic
This album sonically doesnt sound good. Idc. Best part of the album was keem kodak and taylor. Kendrick doesn have more then 3 verses that is good
@@oliviermarcoux9675 I never call an album good first listen, anytime I do tho it’s coincidentally considered a classic down the line. Mark my words
@@connorme404 I can’t agree, production wise it was more solid than his last 2 projects and transitions were hella smooth. His pen game is still peak condition (however, I do hear a lot of Baby Keem influence now). Only bad thing I can say is his choice of delivery was strange on a couple tracks. But if you’re a true Kendrick fan, no way you can call this album mid bruh. It’s definitely gonna grow
I like this album a lot
Me too
I personally LOVE this album! Sure, it doesn't have a DNA or an Alright in the tracklist like you mentioned, but that's not what this album is suppose to be. I feel like since TPAB whenever we heard new Kendrick we expected him to talk to us and be that "savior" we all wanted him to be. On this album he's more so focused on himself. Definitely takes a few listens. Another masterpiece in my eyes.
shawn gotta listen to this again and redo this reaction.
Well I enjoyed this Album a lot, listened to it while watching the sunset. Remember, just because a song or an album doesn't hit you immediatley, it does not mean you won't enjoy it in a couple weeks, months or even years. We know how Kendricks albums are and how often we go back to them, maybe you will be in a certain point of your life where this sound and message fits your certain situation more.
For me, I've been struggling a lot recently and to hear Kendrick speak about his past years so freely was something that gave me a lot of joy, musically this album is masterclass and another good addition to Kendricks consistent discography.
Damn I really didn’t expect your reaction to this. I do respect it, but I was at the gym going crazy to this whole album. It was well worth the wait and I really didn’t feel like it had any weak points besides the 3rd song which will probably grow on me.
*Damn.
I personally loved this album so much. I listened to it multiple times and each time it gets better for me. I love how raw and personal this album is. It is my AOTY
This album is a conceptual therapy session. It helps the listener (and Kendrick) come to terms with what it means to live the human experience. Kendrick (as he states) is all of us so there’s a lot that we, as humans, can relate with. He speaks on the human experience. He talks about mental health, who we should view as our ‘saviors’, topics that historically have brought us together and pushed us apart. It’s empowerment, it’s the removal of the shackles.
It’s amazing how each track tells us something deep about Kendrick. He becomes so vulnerable and genuine toward his fans.
Hearing Shawn talk about this album reminds me of Ben Shapiro talk about the new Batman. It seems the negative reaction is coming from judging the album for what you wanted it to be and not for what it is.
This
Shawn L
Facts honestly blows my mind this guy makes a living off this shit he said futures album is album of the year
@@reillyoliver1871 🤣 Fr Shawn L
That's a perfect reason to not like it lol.
I love seeing the raw, real emotional side of artists and that’s what we got from this one. More introspective rather than conscious. What’s going on inside rather than his external influences. Sonically keeping up with the times as well while still holding true to jazz influences. A damn stellar album.