Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers vinyl is the 5th LP by Kendrick Lamar. In 2018, after one classic, one masterpiece, and a hit blockbuster album, Kendrick went on a prolonged hiatus. But why? Brace yourself, I will take you on a trip down memory lane.
If N.W.A’s “Straight Outta Compton” (2015) taught the audience anything, it was about the daily hurdles the residents went through. Especially during the ’80s, more known as the crack era. Exactly where Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (1987) grew up. “Pray that we make it to 21.“
“On the curb writing raps next to a gunshot.
-K.Dot, Average Joe (2010).
I’m trying to duck the influence of my city that’s brewing.”
Indeed, the elements that circle a person influence that individual, for better or worse. Admittedly, Kendrick’s childhood was surrounded by welfare and gang members. “Everyone I knew was Crip or Piru.“
Also, another movie that depicts the city of Compton is “King Richard” (2021). As a teenager, you had to be occupied doing extra activities to keep yourself distracted from the streets, or you could become another casualty at war. “I’m more than a statistic.“
So, if for Serena and Venus was through tennis for Lamar it was through music. Therefore, during his teens, K. Dot debuted his mixtape (2003) and signed to Terence “Punch” Henderson’s record label, “Top Dawg Entertainment.”
Seven years later, his commercial mixtape “OD” (2010) followed. As a result, Kendrick served as an opening act for other well-established rap artists, released his debut album “Section .80” (2011), and signed a joint venture with Compton’s finest, Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label (2012).
By the end of 2012, Kendrick released his sophomore LP titled “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” Clearly, it marked a before and after for his career.
“Dreams of living life like rappers do. The only thing we had to free our mind.”
-Kendrick Lamar, Money Trees (2012)
Now, Kendrick wasn’t just dreaming of the life of a rapper, he was living it. And he would go to any lengths to protect his spot. Rap has always been a competitive sport. Ever since Hip-Hop’s foundation (1973), fans have constructed a pyramid to hail the hottest MC.
In August 2013, K. Dot protected his acclaimed throne by calling out every new rapper and proclaiming himself the king of N.Y. “I’m the King of New York, King of the Coast.” Afterward, he secluded to plot his next material. But how to follow up on such a high-hailed record?
In fact, there are many ways to find inspiration. For example, one of them can be by incorporating never-used instrumentation or traveling to an unexplored destination like Lorde did for “Solar Power” (2021). Hence, this time Kendrick’s next haven was South Africa.
During his visit, he got to explore its tourist attractions, conversate with the locals, and absorb all the beauty. However, not everything was pleasant- survival guilt came into play. “A friend would never leave Compton for profit.“
Imagine finally making it as a musician, having the opportunity to go on tour, and stay at 5-star hotels, while on the other side; your relatives, friends, and your city were in shambles.
As painfully stated by Alex Pappademas on “The Big Hit Show” (2021); “Kendrick was touring on a smash hit album, then coming back to Compton to go to funerals.“
“Sorry to hear what happened to your homeboy.
-Kenny & Paula Duckworth, Real (2012).
When you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement.
To your City.”
Hence, his third album “To Pimp A Butterfly” (2015) mirrored the influences he had experienced from South Africa by incorporating musical elements and tackling racial topics. “I went to Robben’s Island, that is where Nelson’s cell is.“
Furthermore, for his next endeavor, “Damn” (2017), three years passed. This LP was about penetrating pop culture and reaching a worldwide scale.
So, how to rank his catalog? In the words of Terence “Punch” Henderson, “‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ was the classic, The ‘Damn’ album was a blockbuster, and ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ is the masterpiece.”
Despite the blockbuster and being the people’s champion for almost the entire decade, in 2018, Kenny stepped away from the spotlight.
Throughout his career, Mr. Duckworth has been criticized for taking too much time between records as depicted in the table below.
| Album | Year | Years Passed | Days Passed |
| Section .80 | 2011 | – | – |
| good kid, m.A.A.D city | 2012 | 1+ years | 478 days |
| To Pimp A Butterly | 2015 | 3 years | 874 days |
| Damn | 2017 | 2+ years | 761 days |
| Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers | 2022 | 5+ years | 1,855 days |
Consequently, 1,855 days had to pass until Kendrick Lamar released his next project, “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers Vinyl.” During this interval, some fans patiently waited while others moved on.
“Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers” vinyl
Undoubtedly, being raised on the streets can affect a person’s life. Namely, the streets will make you bottle up every emotion before showing it. “Real men need no therapy.“
In films, it is common to watch the therapist and the patient on the comfortable couch chatting about issues such as addiction, sexual abuse, depression, daddy issues, etc. “To my partners that figured it out without a father, I salute you.“
In reality, the majority can’t even afford it. Especially those who grow up on welfare. Thus, that same lifestyle and trauma will pass from one generation to another. But is there a way to break this cycle? “My past won’t keep me from my best.“
On “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers,” Kendrick exercises those long-bottled-up emotions through dreamy, and nostalgic yet hard beats. Tracks such as “Father Time,” “Rich Spirit” and “Count Me Out” show the demons he had to fight throughout the process of growing as a man and a father.
“What is fame to me? I shut down too.
-Kendrick Lamar, Count Me Out (2022).
Please everybody else but myself.
If I didn’t learn to love myself, forgive myself…“
“Auntie Diaries” finds Kendrick reflecting on offensive words learned during elementary school and how to love every person regarding their sex. Now, Lamar is not tap dancing around the conversation anymore.
It is safe to say that from Kendrick onwards, his family tree will grow up with good morale taught by the parents instead of the streets. “Congratulations. You broke a generational curse.“
Regardless, in the era of too much music pollution, Kendrick has not given in. More so, he has taken the time between records to learn, experiment with instruments, meditate, and evolve.
So, what to expect in the future? After departing from “TDE” (2022), he created his label “pgLang.” A platform for him to give back with his words of encouragement. “Hey man, K. Dot is back in the hood!”
Should every artist follow the laid-out blueprint, -and learn about quality over quantity-, everything will be all right. In conclusion, Kendrick Lamar by far, the illest musician alive.
Happy Birthday, KDOT! Watch “Count Me Out” and listen to Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” vinyl.
- “Count Me Out” music video by Kendrick Lamar. Directed by Dave Fee and Kendrick Lamar (PGlang, TDE, Aftermath, 2022). ↩︎
- “N95” music video by Kendrick Lamar. Directed by Dave Fee and Kendrick Lamar (PGlang, TDE, Aftermath, 2022). ↩︎
- “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers” album by Kendrick Lamar. Cover artwork by Renell Medrano (pgLang, Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath, Interscope, 2022). ↩︎
