Reacting to 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' by Kendrick Lamar
Added 2022-05-13 20:52:47 +0000 UTCDid I call it? Is this Kendrick signaling to the world that he's done?
Direct Play Link: https://iframe.mediadelivery.net/play/27377/6937d448-2f29-4174-84a1-1e6922d760f2
Comments
I hope you can take in what he says at the end of Aunties Diaries in which he learned that words have more meaning than just sound. Its not just about censorship, in a world with or without censorship this would still be an issue. Its learning empathy and compassion for human beings and realizing certain words are just really emotionally charged so its better to stay away from them. Other words like slurs are also attached to hate crimes. If you are using the F slur in a non homophobic way it just doesnt make sense why you cant use any other non slur to put your point across.
Rasha Rahman
2022-05-20 14:37:16 +0000 UTCThere's so much truth in that track. Well, the whole album, but Mother I Sober definitely rings with me.
Joshua Brice
2022-05-19 03:03:39 +0000 UTCGuilt is such an easy trip to start. I agree Kendrick shouldn't have to apologize for not being a savior. And you shouldn't apologize for having feelings.
Joshua Brice
2022-05-19 03:01:35 +0000 UTCI listened to the album a few times this week before getting to your reaction. Every time I heard that final track I thought of you and how happy you are going to be for Kendrick. Did not disappoint.
Jackson Mayhew
2022-05-17 21:29:46 +0000 UTCVery wild for sure, and yes they do they do. Time will tell though I think, and with Kendrick's catalogue no album is bad. It's only great albums compared against classic albums if that makes sense.
Gerardo Rojas
2022-05-17 12:48:14 +0000 UTCIt is kinda wild to be here in the moment and see people not really understanding what this album is doing. But, people listen to music for different reasons and anyone looking for something to dance to isn't gonna click with this too much.
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-17 12:26:21 +0000 UTC❤
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-17 12:25:08 +0000 UTCI'm glad I had time too. If I were still fresh on this journey, a lot of this would have gone over my head
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-17 12:24:55 +0000 UTCGreat reaction to this album! One thing you always try to do is pick up breadcrumbs that Kendrick puts out and you do a really good job of it. Like how you compared You & Mother I Sober because I had the same thought. Like you said before, it's surprising what people are focusing on. I laughed at people calling it mid or saying it's not great, all weekend I was saying... No way this is anything other than greatness lol but what are you going to do? I think a ton of people are skipping the full message Kendrick is trying to convey and just saying what they like or don't like. Don't worry through, believe it or not a very similar thing happened when he released TPAB & DAMN, and look how those albums are regarded now. I think I'm a lot like you you, I listen with open ears for the message the artists are tying to convey with an Album. I truly related to this album from the beginning as I had a similar journey with therapy in the past, minus the fame money and being in the public eye lol but the feelings and pain are extremely relatable. You are right about one thing for sure, that last song was a breath of fresh air I think for Kendrick. It was a declaration of independence not only from the industry, and the public, but also from his own burdens. Like you have said, he beats himself up a lot but I think this whole project was a release for him. Thank you for all the work you do and never worry about the emotions, I was right there crying with you while Mirror was playing.
Gerardo Rojas
2022-05-17 05:48:33 +0000 UTCDude I cannot wait for you to hear ZUU
VeganMilk
2022-05-16 20:13:45 +0000 UTCBob I admire you for being so open with your feelings and not being scared to show to the world your emotions. Also I teared up a little bit on Mother I Sober too, so definitely don't feel dumb about crying man. I wish more people were as honest with themselves as you.
Liam
2022-05-16 19:51:06 +0000 UTCWould be dope if it was on twitch. Sometimes it takes a community to decipher. He does a great job anyhow.
CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL
2022-05-16 13:03:30 +0000 UTCHe normally does them on Wednesday. Not a livestream :)
HELLCAT
2022-05-16 12:54:13 +0000 UTCGlad you started your Hiphop journey just in time to build up some hype for King Kenny and this album. It's a masterpiece to me and I think you feel the same way. Music is crazy sometimes :)
abc
2022-05-16 12:49:10 +0000 UTCHi, when is the additional thoughts? Is it a livestream?
CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL
2022-05-16 12:06:41 +0000 UTCAfter about 7-8 full listens, this is definitely my fav album of his and i do agree, i think it is his last and he really just bared all.
Tyler Scott
2022-05-16 00:14:57 +0000 UTC"Fiber that makes the texture of society" Fuck you, Bob. That's a great line.
FuzzyDunlop
2022-05-15 19:01:56 +0000 UTCdo you feel about the n word the same as the f word
LULW
2022-05-15 16:51:31 +0000 UTCI cried as well. No shame in it man. Kendrick is a true artist
SAM-WISE GAMGEE
2022-05-15 07:11:18 +0000 UTC12 min in... Me: "how is this shit not three hours?...Oh"
FuzzyDunlop
2022-05-15 03:07:40 +0000 UTCAin’t no Kendrick album without some tears men. As you said: he is one of the best to ever do it. Amazing reaction that gave new perspectives after a few spins for myself. Deeply appreciating the path Kendrick took with this album. It’s almost like we are all growing together with him while listening to this album!
Stefan
2022-05-14 21:25:32 +0000 UTCPeople might have already said this but The Melodic Blue has a heavy influence on tracks like N95 & Silent Hill w/ the flows and quirky vocal styles like the Huhhh at the end of the lines on the chorus on Silent Hill. I’d love to see reaction to that album Bob. It’s not as substance filled as this but def a more fun listen IMO
Cullen Hendricks
2022-05-14 20:11:08 +0000 UTCDon't feel dumb for being emotional, Bob. It's perfectly normal
GhostlyRipper
2022-05-14 15:30:02 +0000 UTCGreat reaction. Your humility and self awareness at the start is great to see!
Isaac Backer
2022-05-14 14:24:08 +0000 UTClol, love it 🤘
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:09:36 +0000 UTC❤
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:08:27 +0000 UTCHe really put it all out there. Happy for him. It's an amazing triumph to process through that kind of stuff.
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:08:14 +0000 UTCI took a quick stroll through the Kendrick subreddit this morning just to see what people were focusing on and yeah... I'll just say that I'm surprised by what people are apparently focusing on when it comes to this album. Hopefully they let it sink in more.
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:06:18 +0000 UTCIt really is incredible
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:02:26 +0000 UTC❤
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:01:58 +0000 UTCBut what is his life's calling at this point?
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:01:48 +0000 UTCI appreciate it!
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 11:00:22 +0000 UTCIt's been bumped up a few spots 👍
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:59:53 +0000 UTCI love that Denzel took the same path with Melt My Eyez. It makes for incredible music and art
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:59:36 +0000 UTCIt comes up again at the end of Crown (my favorite track)
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:57:50 +0000 UTC🤘
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:56:37 +0000 UTCFrom what I understand, his contract is complete now.
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:54:35 +0000 UTC😂
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:54:03 +0000 UTCBrilliant write up, Joe. Your take on the tap-dancing getting less and less as the content becomes more direct makes perfect sense to me.
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:53:36 +0000 UTCI'm gonna poke around on the internet a little and see what other people are thinking. It's pretty clear to me
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 10:47:22 +0000 UTCWho would've thought my go to person for in depth rap reviews would end up being some bald headed white dude... but here we are haha. Enjoyed all 180+ minutes of your reaction!
Whyyeezus
2022-05-14 08:53:14 +0000 UTCCried like a baby many times too Bob, great to see how you connect with the music and lyrics too, you're very authentic and that why we're here for.
Diego Pumarino
2022-05-14 08:48:45 +0000 UTCYou're the GOAT Bob. Made me appreciate this album even more than I already did. Love how Kendrick decided to focus on the flaws and struggles within himself on this one instead of fulfilling the unfair expectations of being this savior for widespread societal problems
Demarco
2022-05-14 07:57:03 +0000 UTCThis is your best reaction yet, Bob. The album is amazing too.
Vesical
2022-05-14 07:45:20 +0000 UTCAmazing reaction, loved your thoughts on Crown; beautiful
Mr. Bigweld
2022-05-14 06:41:22 +0000 UTCTrust me,this album is ahead of his time. People will appreciate it so much more years from now. I liked it on the first listen,but now after the 5th lsiten I think this is something else. It feels like a theater play,not even music.
Daniel Szepfalusi
2022-05-14 05:56:15 +0000 UTCUnreal, Bob.
Sam G
2022-05-14 05:38:28 +0000 UTCTHIS IS ALL SPECULATION!!!!!!! One thing that I don’t really see anyone talking about is how I think Kendrick and his wife, or should I say maybe ex-wife, could be divorced after listening to this project. United in Grief begins with a female voice saying “tell ‘em the truth” as though Kendrick is in a therapy session. Then throughout the rest of the song, Kendrick repeats “I grieve different” almost like a mantra. It serves as a basis for the content of the verses which is Kendrick talking about his material indulgences in response to whatever his reasoning is for coming to therapy. However, “first tour sex the pain away” is our first deeper look into the possible cause for seeking therapy and why this “female voice” (likely his wife) accompanied him. N95 is about taking off figurative masks. Everything Kendrick lists in the first verse is some superficial means of self-indulgence and self-expression which masks your true identity. This explains why the chorus say “you ugly as fuck” because when Kendrick first does some self reflection in this therapy session, he is disgusted with what he sees in himself. In verse 2, “this ain’t monopoly, watchin’ for love, this ain’t monogamy, y’all getting fucked” is another hint as to their marital affairs. It’s like Kendrick is reflecting on his relationship that his marriage isn’t what he thinks is should look like. The reason for this is explain shortly. Worldwide Steppers seems to be the amalgamation/accumulation of Kendrick’s lust and his desire to satisfy it. “We some killers, walking zombies, tryna scratch that itch” delivers this sentiment exactly. The verses of this song detail Kendrick hooking up with white women during his GKMC tour. This is interesting in relation to Kendrick’s marriage because Kendrick says, “Whitney asked did I have a problem.” Whitney is Kendrick’s wife. GKMC dropped in late 2012. Kendrick got married in 2015 but were likely in a relationship for much longer before that so so if he slept with some white woman on the GKMC tour, he was likely dating Whitney at the time. Whitney knowing about this now is likely part of the therapy session and part of why I believe they aren’t together anymore. Die Hard is a silky and sexy track that I believe is meant to represent Kendrick’s experience on the GKMC tour. “I pop the pain away, I slide the pain away” is probably a reference to sleeping with these other women and part of how Kendrick “grieves different.” The intro to Father Time confirms that some aspect of therapy is going on in this album. Beyond that, Father Time doesn’t really address Kendrick’s marriage. One part in verse 2 briefly touches on it saying “this made relationships cloudy, never attached to none. So if you took some likings around me, I might reject the love.” I’m not sure exactly what this means but it’s definitely calling into question Kendrick’s mindset on relationships which is perhaps another nod to his infidelity. While Rich Interlude doesn’t address Kendrick’s marriage, I believe Rich Spirit definitely does. Verse 2 states “morality can wait, feedback in low latency, I’m glitching from the face. As my thoughts grow sacredly I’m running out of space. Ask Whitney, she okay, nevermind a hundred K. Why you lying on Benjamin? He turning in his grave.” This all seems to mean that Kendrick doesn’t care about his morality currently and is going to satisfy his urges even if it hurts Whitney and he has to lie to her. We Cry Together is the argument that solidified this idea in my mind when I first listened to this album. I feel like I don’t have to explain this one. The end of We Cry Together is some form or reconciliation but still had an air or broken connections. I’m not sure how Purple Hearts plays into this narrative but I’m just suspecting that the whole song is maybe Kendrick asking for forgiveness. Summer Walker is maybe Whitney’s perspective and how she believes that Kendrick doesn’t love her or at least doesn’t love her like he should. Count Me Out is about Kendrick contemplating his regrets but puffing up his chest and convincing himself that he gonna succeed despite his shortcomings and his past decisions. In the chorus, Kendrick sings “let me tell you about the woman I know. I know karma like to follow us strong.” I believe this is Kendrick acknowledging his mistakes as well and knowing that there will be consequences for his actions. I don’t believe that Crown contributes to this narrative and really is only addressed to his fans to limit their expectations/change their perspective because the album may be different that what they were expecting. Similarly, Silent Hill appears to be Kendrick poking out his chest and closing off his ears from any of his detractors as he goes through this process of healing. Savior Interlude picks up the therapy concept again by introducing Kendrick’s childhood trauma in the intro. Beyond this, Savior Interlude doesn’t cover Kendrick’s marriage much. However, Savior does. In verse 3, Kendrick in this therapy session is finally able to tackle his issues directly. He is not anyone’s savior and openly recognizes that he is deeply flawed. “I find it just as difficult to love thy neighbors. Especially when people got ambiguous favors” and “being manipulative, such an acquired tasted” could be a direct admission of guilt to the audience and Whitney about Kendrick lying to Whitney is the past and cheating on her. Auntie Diaries does not cover the topic of Kendrick’s marriage. I do think that the message behind the track is good but I wish he conveyed it differently. I suspect that he did it this way to make people talk about the song more and delve deeper into the lyrics to gain a greater understanding. I wish he had approached the topic a bit more like how he did “How Much a Dolla Cost.” Mr. Morale is about Kendrick acknowledging the progress he has made. In verse 1, Kendrick tells his son that he’s in a better place mentally and that who he is now is not who he was. “Transformation, I must had a thousand lives and like three thousand wives” though hyperbole highlights just how bad Kendrick feels his lust addiction got. Mother I Sober paints the full picture as Kendrick reveals his childhood trauma. There’s a lot to unpack that honestly I still have not pieces together. However, in verse 3, Kendrick says “But Whitney’s gone, by the time you hear this song, she did all she could” which confirmed to me that they’re divorced. Mirror is a glossy, Fade-like, song that reminds me of the Black Panther soundtrack in the best way possible. It’s a song about Kendrick asking for forgiveness one last time to both Whitney and the audience after having gone through this purging of secrets and concealed perspectives. This song also seems to be about Kendrick choosing to preserve his own mental health and image at the cost of everything around him, even if that’s his fans and even his wife. I feel like much of what was said in the album went over my head but I think @Tribecalledjoe covered much of what I didn’t cover. There are still so many layers of onion of an Opus that still need to be peeled back but that comes with time. Personally, I would give this album a 9/10 as of right now and I don’t really see it going lower than that anytime soon.
Kelvin Akinyemi
2022-05-14 04:50:30 +0000 UTCrespect to bob, this album made me cry again and again, even after relistening.
Jorge Campos Jr.
2022-05-14 04:33:35 +0000 UTCamazing fucking reaction <3
Matt
2022-05-14 04:08:26 +0000 UTCI don't think he's done, personally. He's left it a little ambiguous, but the fact his statement from last year said "As I work on my final TDE album," and "[good luck to TDE and their creators] as I CONTINUE to pursue my life's calling."
Evilknightz
2022-05-14 03:53:15 +0000 UTCAmazing reaction!
Kayen
2022-05-14 03:25:26 +0000 UTCThis reaction fully convinced me to get patreon. Thank you for this amazing content you’ve been giving us and it’s just the beginning ! Much love from Chi
Matt C
2022-05-14 03:18:31 +0000 UTCyou seriously need to do the melodic blue by baby keem
Colin H
2022-05-14 02:46:43 +0000 UTCHey man just finished the reaction and loved it. I've been weeping all day transfixed by this album listening and thinking, and so I knew of all the reaction channels you'd appreciate it the most. And wow I must have added at least another 9 or 10 to the cry tally watching the vid haha. We're living in a special time atm just in general in the world, and that's obvs reflected in the musical. People are presenting statements of intent for their communities, whether it's Kendrick or the loving friend you have in ur life. Honestly have so many thoughts already that grow every hour lol. Can share them if anyone's interested. Interesting too cause denzel curry's new album is my other favourite of the year and has a v similar focus on achieving liberation through looking inwards and working on yourself (and breaking generational cycles of trauma, importance of therapy etc. etc.)
Amin
2022-05-14 02:20:06 +0000 UTCListening to you talk about him painting over the pain, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way and now I'm just more excited for you to hear the rest of the album!
Joshua Brice
2022-05-14 02:17:41 +0000 UTCI felt like that at the end too, Bob. Really really powerful album.
Josh Burcham
2022-05-14 02:07:07 +0000 UTCFuckin' A man
Bob_the_Poppop
2022-05-14 01:59:23 +0000 UTCThis is out of topic but i think u would make such a good podcast, i can listen to you talking for hours lmao
Ahmad Atiq
2022-05-14 01:01:53 +0000 UTCglad you get to experience this with us 🐐
King Capital
2022-05-14 00:33:49 +0000 UTC“You said I’d feel better if I just worked hard without lifting my head up, that left me fed up.” 🔥 Sheesh - C O U N T M E O U T
Josh
2022-05-14 00:28:54 +0000 UTCThis album is great, it’s a work of (he)art. It takes the risk to provoke thought and soul searching, while sounding good. Might be his best album, his discography is crazy.
Josh
2022-05-13 23:44:54 +0000 UTCYou don't know what you don't know.
Joshua Brice
2022-05-13 23:37:51 +0000 UTCmmmmmhm
Zach Gupta
2022-05-13 23:28:42 +0000 UTCHey Bob hope in the future you can react to Kodak Black Albums specially 2018 Dying to Live.
Makavelly
2022-05-13 22:37:20 +0000 UTCDr. Sebi Was Also Known For Curing AIDS And Cancer With Proof. He Even Won The Court Case Against Him. He “Mysteriously” Died. When Nipsey First Died There Were Theories That Maybe They Put A Hit Out On Him Because He Was In The Process Of Putting Together A Documentary About Dr. Sebi
Roberto Duenas
2022-05-13 22:32:15 +0000 UTCGreatly appreciate your honesty and acknowledging what you've never learned. Watching your hiphop journey and growing respect for the art has been very cool. Peace.
De
2022-05-13 22:24:04 +0000 UTCI've got one solo listen in and now it's time to see what Bob thinks!
Craig Manning
2022-05-13 22:05:31 +0000 UTCi really appreciate you acknowledging the color barrier POP. Its real and it has an effect on all people
Isiaha
2022-05-13 21:52:05 +0000 UTCBtw Bob, I think this is his last album apart of TDE so that COULD be it
Josh
2022-05-13 21:49:55 +0000 UTC3 hours? We're bout to eat with this one 😂🔥🔥
TylerNorCal
2022-05-13 21:32:39 +0000 UTCbob got that pregnant glow at the beginning ♥
Psykopomp
2022-05-13 21:29:43 +0000 UTCI have no words for this album….
CRASH
2022-05-13 21:13:44 +0000 UTCMore hyped for your reaction than the album itself
Brock Asher
2022-05-13 21:12:03 +0000 UTCI don't think he is saying goodbye. I think it has a feel of finality bc it's his tde project. It makes no sense for him not to put an album out under pglang in the next 2 years.
fightnerd
2022-05-13 21:03:17 +0000 UTCThis whole album is literally Kendrick sitting in for a therapy session I think the theme of the album is that the big steppers are people who step up to actually confront our issues in society and that the tapdancing all over the album is to represent how people and culture tapdance around hot button topics but never seem to really want to actually fix any of it, only using them at this point to virtue signal or grandstand/get likes etc. And I think a lot of it has to do with sex crime and sex equality as well and how we treat each other over it when it comes to image, be it homosexuality or being seen as weak because of molestation or what have you, so people mask it and hide it deep down and project their feelings onto others in toxic ways and the cycle continues instead of actually addressing it and attempting to openly speak about it in a way that is helpful. especially now with how you may get your character assassinated or discredited for voicing your opinion or stating your own personal views or how you really feel about it, even if it is wrong or misguided. so taken literally, Mr Morale is freeing his mind and leading by example in being what everyone wants him to be, but doing it his own way because he has the confidence that it will actually help change things, because he has respect and loyalty of the industry and his fans and faith that it will help shape the future. Morale is high because he had the confidence to go against the norm and say what he has to say, how he wants to say it, and he is finally freeing his own conscience as well as being conscious enough to be aware of his surroundings that he is able to speak on things he has buried deep down and by finally doing so has broken a "generational curse". There are nuances and deliberate things that happened during the course of the album that help me draw this conclusion, like from the very start the sample is "I hope you find some peace of mind in this lifetime" then a woman says "tell them the truth" the tap dancing length seems to shorten every time it comes in, and the subject matter gets more and more open over the course of the album. then the intentional deep faking during heart 5 made me think of what those people actually represented in context to the album Kanye has spoken about his mental health and being bipolar and more recently, has been all over the news due to his divorce with kim. He has also admitted that sex addiction was one of the leading causes of him finding God. Jussie Smollett is a gay actor who felt underpaid and staged his own crime and was convicted over it, where, in fact, he had 2 black men help him stage it. OJ got away with murdering his ex wife, more than likely over an affair, and then ironically went to prison over retrieving his own belongings Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage out of sheer frustration and pain from dealing with the scandal with his wife, also sex related. Nipsey was gunned down in his own neighborhood that he himself built up and was a victim of crimes he participated in as well as spoke out against later in his life. The gunman is now known to have been upset over being called a snitch, driven there by a woman who had picked him up and stopping in the shopping center for food. The woman is said to have mentioned Nipsey as "fine" and wanting to take a picture with him. the first time they approach, she does indeed get a photo with him and posts it to social media. Kobe also dealt with his own sexual assault case. He also spoke out and was a huge advocate for women's sports due to his daughters. which, if i am somewhat right, seem to be all examples of "big steppers", people who were vicitms as well as offenders, yet both stood up and openly dealt with their issues in the public. Kendrick saying he chooses himself seems to be that he is choosing his personal health and wellbeing over being an icon, and instead of trying to be what everyone wants him to be he would rather admit his flaws and shortcomings and try to free himself and his family of what he calls a generational curse. The cover art now also makes a lot more sense to me as a lot of this album is Kendrick saying to the fans I can’t be your saviour, I’m just a regular guy and the cover art is him In just a regular ass house being with his family, protecting them all with the crown on top of his head that we as fans put there as we call him hip-hops messiah/messenger and put him on a pedestal and the juxtaposition of those two things. He is not your savior. He does not need to provide anything to you. He is a human being trying to make the best of his situation. You have put your values and opinions into someone's perspective that is fractured from a life of abuse and trauma. He owes you nothing. He chose himself this time. Maybe for the first time.
Tribecalledjoe
2022-05-13 21:02:28 +0000 UTCThank you Pop, i was having a few beers right now (its 11 pm in germany) and was hoping for your reaction to come by before i go to sleep
Madvillain
2022-05-13 20:56:31 +0000 UTCLETSGOOO
Dildeep Singh
2022-05-13 20:54:48 +0000 UTCCan’t wait to watch this ❤️❤️
Louis
2022-05-13 20:54:47 +0000 UTCdude honestly, you me just might be very very right.
Jorge Campos Jr.
2022-05-13 20:54:43 +0000 UTCLETS GOOO
cloutedmatt
2022-05-13 20:54:19 +0000 UTCLet's go!!!! Super excited thank you.
Queleb
2022-05-13 20:53:54 +0000 UTCSo excited for this
CooLuis
2022-05-13 20:53:34 +0000 UTCI knew you wouldn’t be able to wait 😂
BrennenPS
2022-05-13 20:53:33 +0000 UTCLet’s gooo
Issiah Millis
2022-05-13 20:53:15 +0000 UTC
