Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is the fifth studio album by west coast rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on May 13, 2022 through Top Dawg Entertainment, PGLang, Interscope Records, and Aftermath Entertainment. It was released after a ~4 year drought of solo music from Kendrick. It marks as his last release under TDE and Aftermath Entertainment, with the album being mostly reflective on Kendrick's past and problems with the United States, African-American culture, his family, and more mental problems. The album is a concept album taking place in a therapy session narrated by Eckhart Tolle, who serves as Kendrick's therapist alongside Kendrick's wife Whitney Alford, who provides some narration after songs.
The album is split into two discs, the first one, The Big Steppers, and the second one, Mr. Morale. The meanings of the discs are debated, with The Big Steppers possibly symbolizing gangsters (with the term "Big steppers" being slang for thugs) or damaged people, as the first disc takes on a more solemn and sad tone. The second disc, Mr. Morale, is still serious, however Kendrick is starting to heal mentally and recover from his mental anguish, hence the name "Mr. Morale". One of the more prevalent themes is the "savior" theme, as Kendrick proclaims "I am not your savior" multiple times, with the crown of thorns signifying ironic imagery as Jesus Christ, who wore them, is seen as a savior by many Christians, with Kendrick practicing Christianity.
Background[]
Mr. Morale V1 (August 2018-February 2020)[]
Brainstorming/Pre-Mr. Morale (August-December 2018)[]
After Black Panther: The Album was released, Kendrick Lamar had been working on a scrapped concept album titled, "Look Woman", also known as "Amen!" before finally starting to bounce around ideas for his next album in August of 2018, while also working on Look Woman. Brainstorming took about four months, before recording started sometime in December of the same year[1]. Shortly preceding the sessions for Mr. Morale (The real title is E.S., however it is an acronym with the real meaning unknown[2]). During these sessions, the infamous song Auntie Diaries was an idea Kendrick had at the time, however the song presumably was not recorded and the beat wasn't made yet[3]. Other songs were developed, however they were either repurposed for other artists such as ScHoolboy Q's Numb Numb Juice originally being Kendrick's song before being passed down to Baby Keem and then ScHoolboy Q or OD, which was supposedly given to Rihanna and might not have been used yet or songs were just scrapped entirely[4].
London Sessions (February-May 2019)[]
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RL5d8uSUfm4TH7u7himgbKS5UxzVN3D57T2cIpKDtNI/edit?gid=1228224808#gid=1228224808&range=C424:I424
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RL5d8uSUfm4TH7u7himgbKS5UxzVN3D57T2cIpKDtNI/edit?gid=1228224808#gid=1228224808&range=C423
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dj-dahi-breaks-down-the-five-year-process-behind-kendrick-lamars-new-album-1357269/
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RL5d8uSUfm4TH7u7himgbKS5UxzVN3D57T2cIpKDtNI/edit?gid=1228224808#gid=1228224808&range=C446