Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (Discussion Thread)

[bigbadbossup2012]

fukk sales. This is better music than Drake makes.

That's your opinion, one I don't agree with. Drake's double album is MUCH BETTER. Overall catalog, much better, appearances on others songs, much better

 

[IllmaticDelta]

I can finally post on the coli again after over a week and a half

But yeah, this album imo show cases the ups and downs of Kendrick from a musical and thematic standpoint as an artist. I believe when he said he had writer’s block for 2 years cuz you can kinda tell. This might be his most personable project but the weakest in terms of rapping and vocal performance.

Sonically this album is an extension of DAMN with a splash of some Kanye to my ears. It just doesn’t have the peak masterclass song or songs you usually find on any of his previous albums. But there’s quite of few good songs on here, and then the middling songs, and some that are underwhelming.

It’s my least favorite out of all his albums and showcases his writing talent the least out of all his efforts. The production for the most part is well done but none are hardly elevated to the level we know Kendrick can take a song to.

With all that said there’s still some joints on here and it’s definitely worth a listen. This album could grow on me

yup.....when I saw people saying this was a more avant-garde version of TPAB, I was like

It's sonically like Damn with some Kanye'isms thrown in

 

[GeeEffKay]

After a week I can confirm kendrick hasn't missed yet

Truly no one doing it like this at this level

 

[darius19]

This is like a DAMN and TPAB hybrid. It’s stellar but doesn’t have the high end moments that those other 2 have, but I will say it’s growing on me after listen so who knows

 

[deeznutz]

Take that N95 off bytch you ugly as fukk

 

[NoHalfWay]

yup.....when I saw people saying this was a more avant-garde version of TPAB, I was like

It's sonically like Damn with some Kanye'isms thrown in

Yeah they’re trying to force it.

I guess I can see people saying this is him trying to merge the artsy fartsy elements of TPAB with Damn on this, but nawl it doesn’t come close.

And I wouldn’t call Damn a masterpiece either, but the narrative of it winning a Pulitzer is always pushed. Although I always felt if K Dot would be rewarded with that it shoulda went to TPAB.

Damn was the blockbuster album with the hits and mainstream traction. It was a good album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is ambitious but there’s A LOT of fluff in here.

 

[NotAnFBIagent]

 

[dubsmith_nz]

After a few listens this is probably my least favorite Kendrick project and I don't see that changing.

It's a very serious album and there's not a lot you can throw on at a party or ride out to. No equivalent to a "King Kunta", "Blow My High" or "Money Tree's".

I know that's not his aim though. "Die Hard", "Silent Hill", "N95", "Mr Morales", "Mirror" and "Purple Hearts" are the songs I keep going back to.

 

[up in here]

One thing if you notice in the credits he’s beginning to take production credits as well. He’s credited under his moniker Oklama on four songs on the album.


I remember in an earlier interview years ago that he said he’s more involved in the production process of his songs than people realize and he should get production credits, so I wonder if this is a bigger step towards him self producing his own project one day

He’s definitely doing more than just rappin on beats

 

[Payroll]

Was his delivery always this annoying,

 

[Da King]

Are nikkas really listening to this album front to back?

Half the album have tracks I’d never want to listen to again but did appreciate them on first listen.

 

[Sami]

this shyt basically him struggling to make a post mbdtf kanye album cos tbh this shyt is terrible. idk why it’s two discs even after 5 years that’s too much. some of these songs put it into perspective how old he is why he tryna make a song like n95 that cousin of his ruined his music

 

[Ohene]

it was the best song for me after one listen. what took you so long cuh

Nah
Not even close

 

[Ohene]

This is like a DAMN and TPAB hybrid. It’s stellar but doesn’t have the high end moments that those other 2 have, but I will say it’s growing on me after listen so who knows

Tpab and damn were boring
This joint better

But i agree with there being a significant amount of fluff

 

[Ohene]

9/10 for me. I really liked the second half especially.

Mr. Morale a 10/10 track.

Mr morale and die hard very underrated
10/10 tracks