Kendrick Lamar, “The Heart Part 5”

Reading Time: 3 min read

Following a 5-year hiatus, Kendrick Lamar returns compellingly with “The Heart Part 5,” which arrives in advance of his 5th studio album.

“I

come from a generation of pain, where murder is minor…” There has been a void in rap for years. No, not that there hasn’t been ample talent in the genre rapping about meaningful things, but one voice in particular has been missing in action. After an extended hiatus,

Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar is back. No, K-Dot didn’t totally disappear – he recently won another Grammy for his collaboration cousin Baby Keem, “Family Ties” – but he’s been much quieter than usual. “The Heart Part 5” marks his first new solo single in five years and arrives ahead of his highly anticipated, fifth studio album,

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

“The Heart Part 5” runs an ambitious five and a half minutes. It’s five and a half minutes of #WINNING. The opening portion of the record is spoken word. Here, Kendrick thanks his fans and listeners. In no rush, K-Dot doesn’t begin rapping until nearly 40 seconds in. He’s backed by strong production work courtesy of Beach Noise. The backdrop is soulful and hella groovy. Lamar can thank a sample of the soul classic, “I Want You” by Marvin Gaye. The chorus section highlights the beloved classic. Of course, the main attraction is Lamar, who, as always, drops an electrifying flow. Honestly, he says a lot. The big takeaway, however, is how refreshing it is to hear him rap again. It’s hard to believe it’s been so many years. Worth noting, I love the variations in the production when Lamar tells producers to “take the drums out” (nearing three-and-a-half minutes). Eventually, “The Heart Part 5” is rebuilt featuring rhythm guitars, lush strings, and of course, that signature Marvin Gaye groove.

Final Thoughts

quality content Five years without Kendrick Lamar is way too long. That said, he makes up for it by returning in dynamic fashion on “The Heart Part 5”. Perhaps it doesn’t have the impact of some of his biggest singles, but “The Heart Part 5” easily takes us back to the days when he was dominant – the rapper to beat. All in all, he makes a compelling, must-hear return.