Kendrick Lamar.Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty
Kendrick Lamar’sfive-year solo music hiatus is coming to an end.
On Monday, the 34-year-old rapper revealed his long-awaited fifth studio album,Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, will be released on May 13 through adocument posted to his cryptic “oklama” website, seemingly titled as a play on Lamar’s name.
“Appreciate your patience,” reads the bottom of the PDF, posted to the same website asan August 2021 note from Lamar about the forthcoming, then-untitled record— which will mark his last with longtime record label Top Dawg Entertainment following the 2020 launch of his own record company pgLang, co-founded with manager Dave Free.
“As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood,” wrote the “All the Stars” performer. “May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling.”
“There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown,” continued his letter to fans. “Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all. See you soon enough.”
Kendrick Lamar.Joseph Okpako/Getty Images
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppersis Lamar’s first full-length studio album since 2017’sDAMN, which earned the rapper a Pulitzer Prize for Music as well as fiveGrammy Awardsand spawned his first chart-topping solo single, the seven-times platinum-certified “Humble.” The following year, he lent his musical skills to curating a star-studded, Grammy-winning soundtrack for Marvel’sBlack Panthercomplete with songs featuring Lamar, The Weeknd, SZA, and Khalid, among other artists.
In February, Lamar performed alongsideMary J. Blige,Eminem,Dr. Dre,Snoop Dogg, and special guests50 CentandAnderson .Paakat theSuper Bowl LVI Halftime Show, which took place at the California musicians' native SoFi Stadium.
source: people.com
