There’s a new Kendrick Lamar song in the world. It’s called “The Heart Part 5.” It’s the rapper’s first single prior to his long-awaited Damn. follow-up Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers and his first new track as a lead artist since 2018. In the video, directed by Dave Free and Lamar, the rapper’s face morphs into several deepfakes, including OJ Simpson, Will Smith, Jussie Smollett, Kobe Bryant, Kanye West, and Nipsey Hussle. The lyrics often align with the person he’s resembling, discussing bipolar disorder when he’s West and murder when he’s the late Hussle. It opens with this quote attributed to Oklama: “I am. All of us.” Watch it below.
The song was produced by Beach Noise, who has produced multiple tracks by Baby Keem. It includes instrumental contributions from Matt Schaeffer, Johnny Kosich, Kyle Miller, and Bekon. It appears to sample “I Want You” by Marvin Gaye.
In the video’s credits, Deep Voodoo was credited for doing the deepfake work, which is the studio run by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. There’s also a “special thanks” shout out to Stone and Parker. Earlier this year, it was reported that Lamar was producing a new live action comedy alongside the duo.
Lamar announced Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers in April by tweeting a link to his Oklama website. The album—his final LP for TDE—arrives May 13. In August of last year, Lamar launched his Oklama site with a note discussing his longtime label. “May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling,” he wrote at the time. “There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown.” He recently teased the album with a photo showing the LP as two CDs and a book.
“Part 5,” as the title suggests, is the latest installation of his long-running “The Heart” singles series. The tracks have always arrived prior to the release of a bigger project.
It follows Lamar’s performance at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI halftime show back in February. The rapper took the stage alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. In October 2020, Lamar appeared alongside Busta Rhymes on the new song “Look Over Your Shoulder,” later appearing on Baby Keem’s “Range Brothers” and “Family Ties.” “Family Ties” went on to win the Best Rap Performance award at the 2022 Grammys.
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