The upcoming sixth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar is slated to be released in 2024 or 2025[1] through Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. It will mark his first full-length studio album in nearly three years, following Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022), as well as his first project outside of his former label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
| TBA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2024 or 2025 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Kendrick Lamar chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from TBA | ||||
| ||||
Background and promotion
editOn May 13, 2022, the rapper released his highly anticipated fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers to universal acclaim and commercial success.[2] The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 295,000 units sold first week[3] and earned him a Grammy for Best Rap Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2023.[4] Following the release of the album, Lamar embarked on The Big Steppers Tour from June 2022 to March 2024.[5]
First asked about the possibility of his sixth album being released in the near future, Lamar reportedly replied "we coming" on August 24, 2024.[6] On September 8, it was announced that Lamar would headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. He shared the news in a clip on a football field in front of an American flag which was followed by him throwing footballs into the distance.[7] Three days later, the rapper shared a song titled "Watch the Party Die" on his Instagram. In response to the events, publications went on to predict "an astronomical" era ahead of Lamar.[8] During an NBA broadcast of a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 23, a snippet of an untitled song that fans would refer to as "Broccoli" was presented.[9] On October 13, Lamar's former Top Dawg Entertainment label mates SZA and Schoolboy Q as well as producer and label affiliate Devin Malik confirmed that the rapper's new album was "on the way".[1][10] Producer and long-time collaborator Terrace Martin also shared his excitement about his involvement on Lamar's upcoming album.[11]
Feud with Drake
editReleased on March 22, 2024, Lamar appeared on the track "Like That", part of Future's and Metro Boomin's collaboration project We Don't Trust You (2024) that saw the former reigniting a feud with Canadian rapper Drake after years of throwing disses at each other.[12] The feud would escalate into a back-and-forth between the two rappers with Lamar steadily intensifying accusations by releasing the songs "Euphoria", "6:16 in LA", "Meet the Grahams" and "Not Like Us".[13] Lamar's songs were further celebrated by a one-off celebrity concert The Pop Out: Ken & Friends on Juneteenth 2024.[14] Publications regarded Lamar's tracks as an important build-up to his upcoming album.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b Brown, Preezy (October 14, 2024). "SZA Hints New Kendrick Lamar Album Is On The Way". Vibe. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Devin (October 11, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar Reveals Why He Almost Didn't Release Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers". Rap-Up. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (May 22, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers Debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (February 5, 2023). "Kendrick Lamar Wins Best Rap Album for Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers at 2023 Grammys". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar announces the Big Steppers Tour". Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Gilbert, Natalee (August 26, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's new album isn't coming soon". XXL. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Ramage, Jack (September 19, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar to perform at Super Bowl 2025 halftime show". DJ Mag. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Pace-McCarrick, Solomon (September 12, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar drops surprise release, sparking new album rumours". Dazed Digital. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (October 24, 2024). "8 signs that Kendrick Lamar might be dropping his new album soon". XXL. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Trapp, Malcolm (October 17, 2024). "ScHoolboy Q Says All His Friends Are "Dropping Music", Fans Speculate Whether He Means Kendrick Lamar". Rap-Up. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (June 6, 2024). "Terrace Martin Hypes up New Kendrick Lamar Album". Hypebeast. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (March 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Disses Drake and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin's New Song "Like That"". Variety. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (July 8, 2024). "Drake & Kendrick Lamar's Rocky Relationship Explained". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Paul A. (June 20, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's Pop Out Concert: A West Coast Reunion and Unforgettable Haters' Ball". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Gee, Andre (September 16, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar is over it". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 16, 2024.