Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers Explained
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
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Breaking down the hidden meanings and messages of the first half of Kendrick Lamar’s newest and final studio album with TDE, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. Part two out next Thursday.
Chapters:
Concept and Themes: 00:40
United in Grief: 06:00
N95: 07:30
Worldwide Steppers: 08:53
Die Hard: 11:12
Father Time: 11:48
Rich (Interlude): 14:50
Rich Spirit: 16:55
We Cry Together 17:47
Purple Hearts 20:55
Released as a double album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is Kendrick Lamar’s fifth and final studio album with Top Dawg Entertainment. TDE founder and CEO Anthony Tiffith teased fans during a May 2020 Instagram Live, saying “Stay patient” and “King Kendrick will return soon.”
On August 20, 2021, Kendrick teased his return with a new website-oklama.com-explaining that the upcoming project would be his last release with TDE:
As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling.
About a week later, on August 27, 2021, his cousin Baby Keem released “family ties,” featuring a guest verse by Kendrick with multiple allusions to the highly-anticipated record.
On April 18, 2022, Kendrick shared a statement revealing the project’s release date and title through his website and social media. A week before the release date, an image of Kendrick holding two CDs was shared via oklama.com, driving speculation that Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers would be a double album, which turned out to be accurate.
On May 8, 2022, Kendrick surprise-dropped “The Heart Part 5” with an accompanying music video that saw his face morphing into stars like Kanye West and Will Smith. Three days later, Kendrick took to social media to reveal the album’s cover art, shot by Renell Medrano. He didn’t unveil the album’s tracklist until its release, leaving fans hyped up until the final moments before the drop.
Most transition music by blacmass
The entire album is structured around a narrative of Kendrick’s therapy. The album opens with a musical motif that will repeat later:
“I hope you find some peace of mind…”
Later in the first track, Kendrick says, “I hope the psychologist listenin'.” In “Father Time,” Kendrick’s partner Whitney says, “You really need some therapy” and suggests he reach out to Eckhart Tolle, who then appears several times throughout the album and seems to serve the role of Kendrick’s therapist. As the album progresses, Kendrick processes his lust addiction, daddy issues, challenges of celebrity, and more. Although sometimes it seems Kendrick is just “tap-dancing around the conversation,” he eventually seems to confront his issues though therapy sessions and experiences breakthrough that culminates in a therapeutic release toward the end of the album. The second-to-last song then resumes the melody and choral style of the “piece of mind” line that opened the album, but this time the lyrics conclude with “I bare my soul and now we’re free.”
Part Two: ruclips.net/video/LJtr2xGxloo/видео.html
TIMESTAMPS:
Concept and Themes: 00:40
United in Grief: 06:00
N95: 07:30
Worldwide Steppers: 08:53
Die Hard: 11:12
Father Time: 11:48
Rich (Interlude): 14:50
Rich Spirit: 16:55
We Cry Together 17:47
Purple Hearts 20:55
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Needed this
Thank you for taking that bullet for us, it was a dope breakdown, looking forward for the pt 2
What happened to part 2 bro damnnn😭😭
Loved this! Can't wait for part 2!
Hey what's the last song?
If you are able to, please attend his tour. It is a masterpiece- literally an play, concert and opera performance all in one.
Went last night and couldn’t agree more not going to lie if you get into the concert with your soul you will shed some tears
December 12th brisbane Australia baby less goo
Edit: greatest night of my life
I also can vouch, I attend the Dallas show last month and by far it was one of the best performances I’ve seen in my life. Kendrick truly is a work of art.
i went to his last concert in la. it was an amazing night
By far one of the best tours ever. Seen him in Portland Oregon, couldn't help but shed a few tears
This is Kendrick’s most complex album and when you realize the message behind each song it’s like self reflection and realizing he is almost speaking directly to you this album is insane
Omg never heard nobody do that before 😂
@@cbreezyno one does it as good as Kendrick
Still can't beat DAMN.
@@skaffatar7664honestly I feel like this is a better in terms of his thematic approach
@@GIADALAZ I guess but DAMN. had a great theme too imo. Also a whole story behind it, secret messages and stuff. Big steppers was good but I'd say it's my least favorite of them all just cuz I don't fuck with most of the songs too much
Seeing the performances live were insane. Thoughtful and full of emotion. The storytelling was superb. Amazing experience, and would recommend to others.
I feel like this album was made for being performed live
Did he preform other songs as well that weren’t on the album?
@@larrybennet875 agreed! Everything was done purposefully!!
@@leonm7326 not that I know of. He performed a lot of older songs too but they tied into the story and performance so well.
JUST SAW HIM LIVE YESTERDAY AND IT WAS PERFECT. KENNY THE GOAT
I’m so glad you guys gave this album time to breathe instead of rushing to dissect this like these reviewers did. These guys are the reason why Andre 3k will never drop music.
Do you know how many times I’ve cried listening to this album?? A lot. It’s so moving. And like some of you have said, listening to this feels like he’s talking to you specifically. It hits home. One of his best albums!!
Who’s here after drake dropped family matters and Kendrick dropped meet the grahams
in we cray together; I love the way he chose to speak about internalized misogyny. he's so observant, so smart!
I went to see his concert for this tour in NYC and it was hands down the best concert experience I ever had. The energy that was in that stadium was transcendent. Kendrick is 1of1 . And I’m glad I got to experience his message with this album. Truly beautiful
This videos just about as beautiful as the album itself, props for such a breakdown, I’m seriously speechless
Means so much man fr. Really appreciate you
I feel like Kendrick is gonna make a movie out of this album- and it’s going to change the world
i really hope he does
i hope he does
bruh he's not your savior
I think he should announce to the world what he meant by he’s an Israelite on yah and fear in DAMN. He understood what black people is and how his and our lineage is traced through the Bible and who Deuteronomy 28 is applied to. I leave this in every comment section so more black and Latino people can wake up. The white man knows his biblical lineage only black people do not know and DAMN was the album where he’s realized that and dropped elements in subsequent albums ever since
@@romariofrancis9787 what?
Can't believe this was called "trash" ..... naaah, dissing aside, this is a serious work of art on complexities. Big respect to everyone!
This is such a well made and edited video, how tf does it not have a mil views bruh that’s crazy
This album continues to show that Kendrick is the greatest rapper of all time
Still the goat but not this album it just wasn’t it
I mess with this album still to this day. I really enjoy it even if it isn’t heavy beats like DAMN
@@Runningitthroughyou this album is imo his second best. He hasn't dropped something as good as tpab but this is still amazing. But the run of albums he had just simply makes this guy the goat
Nas is the GOAT.
@@Follow.the.Leadernas catalog is horrible in comparison way more filler Kendric has four masterpieces it’s a completely different league nas is nowhere near this he has so many bad albums
watching shit like this and not appreciating what Kendrick does and knowing how impactful his music should be means you must be missing something inside you
This album changed my life
Sameee
Good kid 👦 maad city 🌃 changed my life
We cry together alludes to Poetic Justice and Baby Boy. Poetic Justice was a starring role for Tupac and Baby Boy was written to star Tupac before his passing. That kinda brings things ''full circle'' as well. Poetic Justice was a hit on GKMC and that song was like a prologue to ''We Cry Together'', thematic...
I can’t believe I looked at the album entirely wrong. Thanks for opening my eyes.
This is crazy how u can break an album down like this 🔥🔥
Seriously. Excellent listening skills. Somewhere along the line I lost the ability to listen critically to music
This album is probably one of the most important things I’ve experienced in my life. 2 years ago I was a Kanye and Drake fan, I liked some stuff from Damn but I just found Kendrick’s music and lyricism overall to be really weird. And when Mr. Morale dropped, I felt the same way. It was weird. I didn’t like it. It challenged my ignorant view on life and politics and made me really think. And it doesnt help that I only halfway focused on the lyrics. I kinda misinterpreted his story. I was like “man this is woke garbage and the music sucks.” My family has always been far right so I just kinda followed suit. So I basically trashed on the album, didn’t really give the album a chance, and moved back to Drake, Kanye, Gunna, etc… but I came back to a song or 2 every now and then like N95 and Die Hard. But a few months ago, I decided to give the album a real chance. The more I learned about Kendrick, the more I realized that I really respected the guy. So I sat down with headphones and listened to the whole thing and heavily focused on all of the lyrics. This album is heavenly, the stories are deep, comes off extremely authentic, and has changed my view of the world. I feel like I’m more moderate now socially now and I’m not just a blind, ignorant, extremist now. I have always treated people with respect no matter their sexuality or race or whatever but I feel like my views on things have always been kinda messed up, and this album has really changed that.
admirable journey, o7
I seen him when he was in Detroit 8/14/22 that was experience of a lifetime. Can’t wait till he comes back he said would be back. I’m holding him to that and I will be there too. Kendrick is something special and this cd took me being a fan to a different level.
This album is so deep … understanding it itself is a journey
It’s so mid
@@Runningitthroughyou ok
@@Runningitthroughyoulike your vocabulary
Please stop the album is trash if this guy never made this video or anyone never made a video on this music nobody would be able to understand it lol back when there was no RUclips and ppl just bought albums to listen to Kendrick wouldn't have made it because somebody is not always gonna be there to explain albums to you
Thank you so much for this breakdown. It makes the listening experience that much more enjoyable.
Kendricks Album hits differently when you're on your own journey to healing...
Glad you enjoyed man
listening to this album was a different feeling. but seeing it live, allowed me to understand kendrick fully. it was phenomenal.
I cant believe you broke down complex ideas like this...amazing job please keep it up
This is my favourite Kendrick album
Therapy is the only thematic thread you can find on this album if you listen closely...everything else is damn near bread and butter of Kendrick’s music. family, good and bad, braggadocio, introspection and world analysis
Pearl Fountain - I salute you. I'm a 60 year old white lady with cancer who found my way to Kendrick via my daughter right after Not Like Us and Euphoria dropped and the world was lit only by the fire of Drake going up in flames. Literally opened my eyes, which had been closed to rap out of an idiotic misconception of it I cultivated by never bothering to investigate artists of K Dot's caliber (if indeed there are any who bring this mix of unmasking, cultural manifesto, and spirituality). Did a deep dive on the Drake beef, started to watch the Big Steppers Tour film from the Paris concert, then decided I needed context and found your absolutely excellent, cogent, and insightful video.Had NO IDEA of Kendrick's connection to Tolle, whom I've been reading for years. Just subbed, and hoping to find similar breakdowns of Damn, How to Pimp a Butterfly, and Good Kid Mad City. If I learn to my enormous dismay that you haven't made similar vids, maybe you can point me in the direction of someone of your caliber? You express your ideas so concisely and cogently. Bravo, my friend. You have a beautiful mind.
Damn, your message really moved me. It’s incredible to hear how your journey brought you to Kendrick and his artistry, and I’m honored that my video could play a part in that. I can only imagine the strength it’s taken to fight your battle, and it means the world that you found some value in what I shared.
Kendrick’s connection to deeper themes like spirituality, cultural identity, and personal growth is what makes his work so profound, and I'm glad that resonated with you. I'll definitely keep creating more content like this, and in the meantime, I’d point you towards my good friend and fellow creator Spacial, who has deeper dives on his older projects and has a lot of talent for these breakdowns and approaching them with nuance. My work goes as far back as Damn but I was a lot younger working on those videos and they’re not really as well put together😂
Thank you again for your kind words, and I wish you and your daughter all the best
@@pearlfountain Thank you for responding! I am slaying cancer's ass - in spite of the fact that I've been stage 4 for almost 5 years. Realizing that I can tap into Kendrick's fierce and consuming energy helps me stay strong. What a world! What an artist! What grace! Thanks again, PF. You are aces.
Great analysis, gave me a better appreciation for this album
Can't wait for part 2!!
This breakdown was great! Hearing all the other music you sprinkled in here was amazing too
Appreciate that man put a lot of thought into the music choices!
The effort is appreciated 🔥🔥.
Please could you tag the music too, maybe in the transcript?
Cause that free uzi remix at the end is stuck in my head and I cant find it anywhere 😂💀
very eye opening, I never finished listening to the album despite feeling very connected to it, I never really understood why though, which is probably why I couldn't finish it, couldn't hear it for what it deeply was. Gonna finish this and then watch the next video haha, I don't usually comment these types of things, but truly, thank you for this video and the fact that it has helped understand the album more, it's opened a lot of ideas for my ongoing journey of self improvement
One of the best analytical videos I’ve seen on a Kendrick vid keep it up man!
I related the last verse on Mother I Sober more to Kodak Black, hence featuring him in the first place! it’s crazy when Wayne appeared, I forgot he also had a rough past and childhood
Kodaks rich spirit is the most street spoken words .. powerful.
Only review I actually watched till the end. Mad props for the time taken to actually dissect the album and break it down for us, and also your edits really dope
you're doin a good job on these, I just wanna say Kendrick was never really preachy that's what made him different is he was just giving you his own observations of himself. this album isnt much different I think the duality is just to represent the way people viewed him & how it made him start to view himself but he never came off that way
Yeah looking back preachy wasn’t the right word I think it’s more just about before and after him letting go of his ego and seeing his grief as different than the grief of others. Once he breaks down that barrier he’s able to use his process of healing as an example for others like on mother I sober
@@pearlfountain yeah it still makes sense in the context you use it. definitely not knockin it at all tho I love these videos, it makes me feel good that theres still other people who care enough to go this deep into the art.
This is a brilliant analysis! Thank you!
Thank you for watching
Great video on a great album, one thing I might critique: the snippets of other songs being used to segway from song to song are a little louder than the other parts and I frequently had to turn it down whenever it would transition. At a couple points the background music was a bit loud as well. Just audio balancing I don’t know much about it myself but good balance really does make all the difference
appreciate the advice man, always been pretty bad at audio mixing but gonna work harder to get it down in the future. Glad you enjoyed the video
Been waiting on this and it was worth the wait amazing video. Just my only critque is to work on leveling the sound as your voice is louder at some parts and the music as well (which is probably intentional)
Appreciate it sm, thanks for watching. Yeah I realized I gotta fix the leveling too late, had to change so much about the audio afterwards cause of copyright and it all got mixed up but thanks for letting me know!
My G!, Aint noooo body gonna tell me you werent in the writers room when this album was being out together! 💯💯👏🏾👏🏾. As always this is dope!
dude i loved those nujabes music playing in the background, loved your dissection on the album great work bro, thanks
This is a dope piece man🔥🔥
KENDRICK'S a GOAT fr...
The album makes more sense everyday..💙
🔥🔥someone had to do it first!! can't wait for part 2
Props for putting The Highs & The Lows by Chance the Rapper in the background 🙏🏿🙏🏿
It’s too raw to have a theme...Kendrick knows that but he knew his fans will dress it up for him but that’s just how good he is too😂😂
Thanks for all your time effort and tact !!great job!!
Currently doing my dissertation for my Masters degree, and will be referencing this video in it.
That’s amazing bro, send me the finished product when you’re done and best of luck. You can reach me @omarabdelhmd on Instagram
Will do man. As long as it's not shared with anyone.
My god......how incitefull. You are such a smart creator. My respect to you, man
Great conclusion! @17:50
I NEEDED THIS! 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Incredibly well done explanation
Man you're on a major come up soon. Love your vids man.
“Kendrick was trying to convey the messages of thousands of years worth of divine intelligence by recording his vocal vibrations so we can absorb the information sonically”
Thank you 🙏🏻 for this second part … it was worth the wait…bless you…I learned today… I gained some enlightenment today… life…
Thank you for this analysis
let’s go fire vid brotha 🔥
If they make an actual play out of this album that ish will sell out so fast
Bruh... how do you even know all this? The analysis is crazy good.
excited for this
I came to the internet looking for the evil meaning behind this but was hit with this tasteful piece here 🤔👏🏾
the realizarions😍
This album is what motivated to leave my girlfriend from the city I lived in to be with the mother of my child and my son .I could easily stayed in a toxic city i.e Memphis but staying in a bad city with a gf who seem like she didn't want to leave help me make the ultimate to do the right there
Your videos are amazing
Beautiful genius 👏 ❤️
Die Hard is also a song to his fans I think - all the lyrics can be heard as him talking to his fans who haven’t heard from him in 5 years
this was brilliant
Will be giving this album another chance. Didn't relate to it the first two listens.
Love album top 4 Kendrick albums
He actually did the work
Amazing Video!
Well done! Kendrick with the masterpiece of an album and your breakdown video as well! 👏
Awesome that it’s becoming normal for stuff like Eckhart Tolle’s work coming to something this mainstream so more people can heal their pain bodies and stop spreading the trauma cycle to others around them especially their kids!!! Time to heal and live to the frequency of Love on planet Earth!
The problem is pop culture makes it seem cool to us as a society to be bad, negative, evil and hate! We’re afraid to be good and loving in fear of being “soft” etc.
It is time for humanity to awaken to the truth of Love! Peace and blessings! -J 👣
Brillant breakdown
The music is too loud while you’re explaining. Please lower the surround music next time you bring out a explanation video.
Video on point my guy love it
This is really good. Thank you.
Perfect video
This is a great Breakdown 🙏🏽.
Kindly asking if you can breakdown Lupe Fiasco Drill Music in Zion too.
Good breakdown
Love the vid bro 🔥🔥watched it like 3 times where’s part 2 at
It's been done but im hiking in New Mexico rn and my wifi is trash. I get back home tomorrow so I got y'all
The first step to healing is getting off social media.
Thank you Omar
Amazing vid
I think it’s important to understand the ideologies of Edgar Tolle as shown in “The Power of Now”. It gives more context on Kendrick’s perspective, especially concerning EGO.
That Emm insert was kinda random but dope
Amazing video.
I’m heart broken i wasn’t able to go to this
Background is highs with lows - Chance the Rapper
WELL DONE!!!
Mr morale and the mid steppers 😂😂😂
Perfect bros album was garbo
Video is amazing 😻 but just a suggestion: next time when you add music from the album. Try muting or lowering the background music 😅
PRAYER is the best song on Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers that never ended up on the album
love the video but why is the music so loud whenever ur introducing a new song
The "big steppers" is the people that "tap dance" around the real problem. That's why u hear the tap dancing interludes
12:12 divine timing ✨️
The music in the background at 15:14 is so soothing. Please, what song is that I wanna listen to it fully. Reply please!! 🙏🏾
Where is part 2 I neeedddd it!!!
Sorry for the wait, was in the middle of New Mexico with no service😭It’s coming very soon
@@pearlfountain all good I love your explanation and depth! I’m a fan keep it up
Hey bro, great video, but i felt the audio kind of was up and down with the volume. Perhaps it is just me. No judgment. I listened using my bose noise-canceling earbuds. Cheers.
Really loved the video, dont think im criticizing!
no worries at all, got this from a lot of people and upgraded my mic since then. glad you enjoyed!
Thank you very much 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you 🙏🏽