One of hip-hop's most cerebral artists grapples with the nature of morality itself. Parsing Lamar's lyrics reveals a complex philosophical system where earthly existence traps us in perpetual error, while salvation waits in the beyond.
This show took place during the era when hip hop shows had a reputation (and oftentimes reality) of being hit or miss affairs, with late artists, middling sound, stage full of posse (out numbering band members)...off-kilter, chaotic and unpredictable. On a good night, exciting.
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is maybe the purest Kendrick Lamar Concept Album yet. The striking new production direction is here, the bars and the songwriting are here, the narrative arc is here. And we've even been treated to another helping of controversy, for flavor.