Kendrick Lamar Returns With new Fifth album 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Image Credit: Kendrick Lamar

"Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers," Kendrick Lamar's fifth solo album, was released on Thursday night — his first full-length in five years. Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Kodak Black, Sampha, Baby Keem, Beth Gibbons of Portishead, and Taylour Paige all make appearances on the 18-track album, which includes the harrowing "We Cry Together." On "Mr. Morale," production is primarily handled by Sounwave, Duval Timothy, Boi-1DA, Lamar as OKLAMA, and Pharrell Williams.

The album does not include "The Heart Part 5," the new song he released on Sunday with a remarkable deep fake video.

Kendrick Lamar's history: where he's been and where his music might be going.

But Lamar, 34, never gives up the spotlight – as he should – on what is rightfully considered his musical masterpiece. "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers" is the first release on his new creative imprint, pgLang, and his final collaboration with Top Dawg Entertainment, where he has worked since the beginning of his career more than a decade ago.

Lamar's lyrical intensity is designed for repeated listening, but here are some first impressions from the album's standout tracks.

"Worldwide Steppers": After an introduction from Black, who calls Lamar by one of his many aliases, Oklama, the song alternates between a mesmerizing pulse and old-school soul. It's also Lamar's autobiographical catch-up for fans who have been wondering if he and fiancée Whitney Alford had a second child based on the album cover photo; references to "playin' 'Baby Shark' with my daughter" and "I'd kill for my son Enoch" would suggest yes. Lamar also refers to his two-year hiatus between albums, saying, "Writer's block for two years, nothing moved me/Asked God to speak through me, that's what you're hearing now."

See below for the total tracklist, features, and production credits.

Last month, Lamar announced his intention to release an album in response to SK's earlier tweet, "Kendrick Lamar is officially retired." Lamar replied with a link to oklama.com, which leads to a note that reads:

"At 11:00 a.m. PT today in Los Angeles, CA, oklama released the following statement through his company pgLang: 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' album 5/13/2022 is the release date. All factual information for this release will be obtained solely from this source."

Lamar's most recent full-length studio album, 2017's Grammy-winning "Damn," was released just two days before the rap titan headlined Coachella and was named Variety's inaugural Hitmakers honoree. A year later, he curated the "Black Panther" soundtrack, which included his duet with SZA, "All the Stars," earning four Grammy nominations, including record of the year and song of the year.

He showed up on two songs from his cousin Baby Keem's new album, "Range Brothers" and the Grammy-winning "Family Ties," in 2021.

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers https://t.co/544YaTY8ys

— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) May 13, 2022

ALL SONG TRACK LIST FOR "MR. MORALE & THE BIG STEPPERS":

DISC 1: BIG STEPPERS

1. United In Grief
2. N95
3. Worldwide Steppers
4. Die Hard ft. Blxst & Amanda Reifer
5. Father Time ft. Sampha
6. Rich (Interlude)
7. Rich Spirit
8. We Cry Together ft. Taylour Paige
9. Purple Hearts ft. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah

DISC 2: MR. MORALE

1. Count Me Out
2. Crown
3. Silent Hill ft. Kodak Black
4. Savior (Interlude)
5. Savior ft. Baby Keem & Sam Dew
6. Auntie Diaries
7. Mr. Morale ft. Tanna Leone
8. Mother I Sober ft. Beth Gibbons of Portishead
9. Mirror

Volume 1

1. United In Grief

Produced by Beach Noise, Duval Timothy, J.LBS, OKLAMA, Sounwave and Tim Maxey

2. N95

Produced by Boi-1da, Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Sweet and Sounwave

3. Worldwide Steppers

Produced by J.LBS, Sounwave and Tae Beast

4. Die Hard (Feat. Blxst & Amanda Reifer)

Produced by DJ Dahi, FNZ, Hykeem Carter, J.LBS and Sounwave

5. Father Time (Feat. Sampha)

Produced by Beach Noise, Bekon, DJ Dahi, Duval Timothy, Sounwave and Victor Ekpo

6. Rich (Interlude)

Produced by Duval Timothy

7. Rich Spirit

Produced by DJ Dahi, Sounwave and franO

8. We Cry Together (Feat. Taylour Paige)

Produced by Bekon, J.LBS and The Alchemist

9. Purple Hearts (Feat. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah)

Produced by Beach Noise, DJ Khalil, J.LBS and Sounwave

Volume 2

1. Count Me Out

Produced by DJ Dahi, J.LBS, OKLAMA, Sounwave and Tim Maxey

2. Crown

Produced by Duval Timothy

3. Silent Hill (Feat. Kodak Black)

Produced by Beach Noise, Boi-1da, Jahaan Sweet and Sounwave

4. Savior (Interlude)
Produced by J.LBS, OKLAMA and Sounwave

5. Savior (Feat. Baby Keem & Sam Dew)

Produced by Cardo, J.LBS, Mario Luciano, OKLAMA, Rascal and Sounwave

6. Auntie Diaries

Produced by Beach Noise, Bekon, Bekon & The Donuts, Craig Balmoris, Sergiu Gherman and Tyler Mehlenbacher

7. Mr. Morale (Feat. Tanna Leone)

Produced by Pharrell Williams

8. Mother I Sober (Feat. Beth Gibbons)

Produced by Bekon, J.LBS and Sounwave

9. Mirror

Produced by Bekon, Craig Balmoris, DJ Dahi, Sergiu Gherman, Sounwave, Tim Maxey and Tyler Mehlenbacher

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