Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Copyright Date: May 2022

Record Label: pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope

Format: Music Album

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Awards:

American Music Awards Favorite Hip-Hop Album -2022

Grammy Best Rap Album-2023

BET Hip Hop Award for Best Album of the Year- 2022

Interest Level: The Album has an explicit rating however many teens listen to Kendrick Lamar. His name is recognized by all young adults and he was nominated for best male artist at the Kids Choice Awards in

2023.

Running Time: 1 hour 19 minutes

Album Description:

Kendrick Lamar uses his music to speak about world issues from his point of view. This album in particular is a self reflection on his journey through therapy. Some major points that he discusses in his album are about his relationships with money, his father, and women. In addition he discusses themes of motivation, loyalty, responsibility, gender, and generational trauma. This album is heavy and deep.

Artist Background:

Kendrick Lamar is a rapper and songwriter who is the only rapper to receive a Pulitzer Prize. To many, he is known as the greatest rapper of all time. He is skilled at using different voices and cadences within his music to personify different characters. Kendrick Lamar packs heavy themes and strong opinions of world events and social constructs into his music. Most recently Kendrick Lamar and Drake have gotten into a rap battle that many teens found themselves glued to their music streaming platforms waiting to hear the newest diss track.

Critical Evaluation:

I myself am guilty of being drawn into the musical drama that was Drake-Kendrick Lamar lyrical feud and am proud to say I was team Kendrick! I have heard the occasional Kendrick Lamar song but would not say that rap is a typical genre that I gravitate towards. So listening to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers was an entire experience I was not expecting. This album is not like any rap I have ever listened to. The songs are so grammatically and syntactically developed, the characters he creates are so unique, and I can feel all the verses he strings together. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is more than rap, I feel like this album is slam poetry on steroids, musical theater with an edge, it truly is art and its no wonder he has received a Pulitzer Prize. When I was a dive coach I encouraged my athletes to share songs with me to add to the team playlist. Kendrick Lamar was always requested, especially "N95" when it came out. I think that this album encourages teens to take a deep look into themselves as Kendrick has done and I believe that his music inspires teens to be civically engaged. All of the songs on this album have a deeper value than something you casually listen to on the radio so its challenging to pick ones that are my favorite but the few that most stood out to me are "Count Me Out" and "Mr. Morale."

Creative Use for Library Program:

Rap Battle Night- Librarian schedules a rap battle night for teens with refreshments. Rather than dissing each other, the battle consists of librarians picking topics for teens to debate in the form of rap. This allows teens a space to be creatively challenged while also learning how to use words to express their feelings and standing up for their beliefs.

Speed Round Album Trailer:

You've probably heard the results of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud like "Not Like Us". But have you heard what Kendrick Lamar is really about? What he stands for and who he has discovered he is? Look into the mind of this lyrical legend.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:

Some people find this album to be one of their least favorite of Kendrick's. Of course! This album makes waves, it is unique and it makes statements. It isn't afraid to be real, to say what others are too self conscious to say. Kendrick lays it open in this album, there are difficult topics discussed ones that may make people uncomfortable. But exposing yourself allows for others to feel less exposed, too feel less alone.

Reason for Inclusion:

Kendrick Lamar is such an essential part of modern teen culture especially in music. I am including this album because it shows teens what can be articulated with music, what it can do, and what it can change. Teens are inspired by this artist and find similar way to express themselves. Kendrick Lamar speaks how this album was inspired by his journey in therapy which is really great for teens to see as normal. I believe that the topics that Kendrick discusses and the way he introduces these topics motivates teens to become civically engaged and fight for their beliefs.

Check Out:

Kendrick Lamar working with his community in big ways!

References:

Clark, K. L. (2022, May). 5 Takeaways From Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers'. Grammy Awards. https://www.grammy.com/news/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-big-steppers-explainer-2022-new-album

D.M. (2024, June). Kendrick Lamar's Philanthropy: The Big Ways The Rapper Is Using His Voice for Change. Bleu Magazine. https://bleumag.com/music/kendrick-lamar-philanthropy/

IMDb. (n.d.). Kendrick Lamar Awards. Accessed July 2024 from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5302509/awards/

Kearse, S. (2022). Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers/

Lamar, K. (2022). Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers [Album]. Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/album/79ONNoS4M9tfIA1mYLBYVX

Lamar, K. (2022, December). Count Me Out [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GhhVHpPR_M