Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

4.18.22

Kendrick Lamar has broke the internet, with what we all expect is a new album release announcement. Earlier today, a post with no caption needed, was shared on his Instagram page. The post was in the form of a letter, from Kendrick’s media company, pgLang.

The entirety of the letter reads as follows:

Los Angeles, CA (April 18, 2022) - The following statement was released today by oklama, through his company pgLang at 11:00am PT in Los Angeles, CA.

Album: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Release Date: 5/13/2022

All factual information for this release will come directly from this source only.

Coming directly from Kendrick’s Instagram account, it seems like this is factual information that he will be dropping a new album, in just a few weeks. Fans have been waiting for the album, since August of last year, when Kendrick hinted at his final album under the TDE label. It had been four years without an album for, who many of today’s hip-hop heads, consider the greatest. Now, we prepare for his next album in which would be close the curtains on era, of a label relationship, we loved so much. Kendrick’s previous message suggesting the album was on the way, was penned as follows:

←august 20 2021

I spend most of my days with fleeting thoughts. Writing. Listening. And collecting old Beach cruisers. The morning rides keep me on a hill of silence.

I go months without a phone.

Love, loss, and grief have disturbed my comfort zone, but the glimmers of God speak through my music and family.

While the world around me evolves, I reflect on what matters the most. The life in which my words will land next.

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.

There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown.

Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all.

See you soon enough.

-oklama

Will this be somewhat of the end, to Kendrick as an artist? He seems to be putting a lot of his time and craft into building new artists, like his cousin Baby Keem, whom has seen incredible success since their smash hit record, Family Ties. Kendrick could be the source of building up his own label, or he could experiment with his own sound and consistency, now being on his own.

What do we expect from this album? I think he will close a few loose ends, and maybe open some new ones. There was a bit of wish-washy commentary on Kendrick leaving TDE, and people suggesting that he was not a kind label mate to some, and grew to be too big for the brand. I have a feeling we have a few serious songs from Kendrick, dedicated to telling his story as a musician and all the experiences he has felt in his rise to the stardom he has reached today.

I also believe he would always go above and beyond to make his fans happy. There should definitely be some hit singles on there, and I think he is going to do something different, like the rhyme schemes and adlibs we hear on Keem’s records.

If there is one thing for sure, Kendrick Lamar never seems to disappoint. The album is going to be interesting, and so will waiting to see his next move after the end of the TDE Era.