Source: Wally Skalij / Getty
Kendrick Lamar shook up the world last week with the surprise release of the single “The Heart Part 5” and its soul-stirring accompanying video. Now that his fifth album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is finally out in the world, folks on Twitter are chiming in with a number of varied thoughts on the project.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is a double album and will be the last Kendrick Lamar album released under the Top Dawg Entertainment label. Like other previous works from K-Dot, the album leans into a concept of duality, trauma, addiction, relationship woes, and the like all through the lens of Black America.
The album doesn’t have the benefit of a big single to propel it to casual listeners; this is an album for true Kendrick Lamar fans who know how to at least attempt to absorb the themes within. Many of the subjects are difficult to fathom. Sexual identity. Gender politics. Mental health. Abuse in all forms. What portions are autobiographical and others that are played up isn’t easy to determine so this album begs repeat listening sessions.
While there are no expected TDE features, Taylour Paige, Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Sampha, and Lamar’s cousin Baby Keem add their various textures. One controversial figure present across the album is Florida star Kodak Black.
Considering Kodak’s legal troubles, including a sexual assault case where he entered into a plea deal in April 2021, looms heavily across the album and some believe that his inclusion on the album was intentional.
On Twitter, the reaction to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is moving at a rapid clip. We’ve got those tweets listed out below.
Find the album at your preferred DSPs via Kendrick Lamar’s tweet directly under this sentence.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers https://t.co/544YaTY8ys
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) May 13, 2022
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Photo:
1.
Kendrick album make you really look in the mirror and question yourself. Classic Album
— P (@qcm_p) May 13, 2022
2.
This Kendrick album makes me want to resurrect my genius account and argue with strangers online over lyrics I didn't write. I'm in love.
— Renee (@lilacwiiine) May 13, 2022
3.
This is an album I’ll have no problem sitting with for the next decade. It’s curated to have longevity, like albums used to be. This is special. This is Kendrick giving us his genius. It’s a movie in music. The best I’ve heard in forever. Nothing else to say. Only an ovation.
— Jackie Hill Perry (@JackieHillPerry) May 13, 2022
4.
Kendrick said
— Fountain Baby (@amaarae) May 13, 2022growth
5.
Kendrick Lamar
— Xavier Omär (@XvrOmar) May 13, 2022Taylor Swift
“Stop playin wit me fo’ i turn you into a song”
6.
10th run back for big steppers
— DAYLYT (@daylyt30) May 13, 2022
Ima am in ahhhhw !
this is truly real art ! It inspires me to continue to be who I am and break all rules of the npc artist universe
Thank u Kendrick !!
7.
Prepping myself for the annoyance 5000000 think pieces of Kendrick’s record and how much joy i get from the the fact he’s not gonna comment on or about any of them bc he said everything he felt God neeeded to say.
— Prop (@prophiphop) May 13, 2022
8.
I guarantee If Eminem hears that song by Kendrick the We cry together song it’s very Eminem Vs Kim it’s just the nigga version
— Threeletterman3 (@3LMthree) May 13, 2022
9.
I would've loved to see Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q or Ab Soul make appearances on the Kendrick project.
— Old Head Energy (@Cheamane) May 13, 2022
I guess that Black Hippy ship has sailed.
10.
Kendrick Lamar- “We Cry Together” Produced by The Alchemist https://t.co/MVjS4KOmYl
— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) May 13, 2022
11.
I'm glad Kodak is all over the new Kendrick because there's a talented tenth mentality a lot of hip-hop critics have regarding the artform that needs to be pulled down.
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) May 13, 2022
12.
Billy Woods still...But Kendrick record may be one of THOSE records..it requires more listens. Got to love this hip Hop... Still giving hope....Kenny definitely press the gas with this joint
— A Godbody named Khalil(@khalilibn7) May 13, 2022
13.
I avoided the TL, and finished my first listen of the Kendrick album
— The Rap Music Plug Podcast (@rapmusicplugpod) May 13, 2022
This was A LOT to take in
I’d say that my first impression was that there were a lot of risks taken, and had a handful of songs that did not resonate with me
But the highs were entrancing, and very uniquepic.twitter.com/L6ELTlFzDS
14.
Have listened to the Kendrick album 5 times. I love it.
— Watching the Throne (@KanyePodcast) May 13, 2022
15.
I have muted the words “Kendrick” “Lamar” and “Kendrick Lamar” btw to not be annoyed by this album until I listen to it
— Vegas Vic Sage (@ZillaRocca) May 13, 2022
16.
this kendrick album is really good off 2 listens but id be lying if i said this was what i wanted or expected
— Ben Havin (@regular_art) May 13, 2022
17.
... approaches the timeline cautiously...
— TS/No BS/Only Sip VX (@TheSickestDrama) May 13, 2022
I'm ambivalent about Kendrick Lamars music.
.... Leaves...
18.
There's nothing noble, complex, or nuanced about Kendrick Lamar giving Kodak Black another check, platform, and audience at a time when he continues to be embroiled in so much controversy.
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) May 13, 2022
Dude took a plea deal after being accused of raping a girl when she was in high school.
19.
when Kendrick said "fuck u bitch, fuck u, fuck u, fuck u, fuck u, fuck u bitch" i felt that
— Kassem(@Ohnohetweets) May 13, 2022
20.
The only complaints I've seen about the new Kendrick album is that it's too personal and no club bangers
— isaac (@WaifusBeWILIN) May 13, 2022people with 40 second attention span are the absolute worst hahahaha
21.
Honestly, if you're called the new Kendrick album 'mid', you're a fucking idiot.
— Mr. Morale (@JonDenton) May 13, 2022
22.
Humanity over religion.
— jon swaii (@jonswaii_) May 13, 2022
This album is easily one of my favorite joints I’ve ever heard.
Aside from the music ,Kendrick is a God tier writer,he picks apart subjects we as a people shy away from due to fear of rejection.
I’ll be reporting anyone who says this project is bad
23.
kendrick album is insanely good
— codyko (@codyko) May 13, 2022
24.
New Kendrick Lamar is hard.
— Craig's VCR (@Craigs_VCR) May 13, 2022
Definitely needed after these trash releases lately.
25.
if you ever feel like you can't accomplish something just remember that kodak black got onto a kendrick lamar album
— clobbopus fan account (@GeorgeOD_) May 13, 2022
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