If a song has ignited so much commentary (positive and negative), then you know you did something right.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble”, or “HUMBLE.”, like it has been stylized, has done just that in just a few days. Lyrics that has everyone guessing the meaning, from the “it’s self-atonement” to “he’s instructing everyone in the game” to “it’s all the artistic facets Kendrick has”, and so has the music: ranging from “it’s a new, inventive, infectious route he is following” to “he has lost his artistry by quitting the jazzy, complex arrangements his work has had in the past”, no one seems to agree with the single.
Yes, “Humble” detours from previous works. Production provided by Mike Will Made It (he co-produced Miley Cyrus’ infamous “Bangerz” album) makes it more accessible and (gasp!) commercial-sounding than, say, “The Blacker the Berry”. But being commercial, in this case, doesn’t mean bad. This is a great banger, with killer piano-based beats and a glorious 808 bass that laids the bed for Kendrick Lamar’s distinctive flow. If anything, this means artistic grow more than a treason, a selling-out or a step back. Because this is not your regular Lil’ Wayne hit single.
And we haven’t even started talking about the video… THE VIDEO!
It’s pure genius, to say the less. An impressive technical work (kudos to the choreography to certain scenes), it creates a series of provocative images that somehow showcases what Kendrick is talking about, especially that “Last Supper” scene in which he shares the table with a bunch of models that purposely looks like current fellow rappers and preach them to stay humble (shots at Big Sean and Drake, maybe?).
You should go and check the video for yourself. It’s a crash course on how to make great visuals. And what makes it better, it’s not only impressive as a technical achievement but also carries beautifully its message. That’s what makes great art.
No, I’m not gonna talk about the “no photoshop” lyrics that has started a controversy. I’ll talk about it in other piece.
Who knows if Kendrick's actually the best rapper. But in this one, he delivered as he was. And I can’t stop listening to this.
Kendrick is fiya. Straight up.
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Agreed 100% and I do believe all the people that made this video happen are extremely talented and creative.
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Kendrick is at the peak of his commercial and critical acclaim simultaneously, entering his third album cycle on top of the game and seems to be outdoing himself again. It's insane, unbelievable to see it play out in real time.
You mention the last dinner scene features " a bunch of models that purposely looks like current fellow rappers" - I think that's actually his old rap crew, and I've heard some dispute about if they are supposed to represent Drake / Big Sean / etc.
Great review! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the full record when it drops.
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