Lamar’s long-awaited follow-up to Damn. has contributions from Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Thundercat, Baby Keem, and more

At long last, Kendrick Lamar has released his new album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, his final album for Top Dawg Entertainment. Lamar officially announced the record last month with a link to his Oklama website, which revealed the LP title and release date. The new album features a string of notable collaborators such as Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Thundercat, Baby Keem, Sampha, Kodak Black, and others. Listen to Kendrick Lamar’s new album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers below. (Pitchfork earns a commission from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.)

The album repeatedly features the voice of Eckhart Tolle; the spiritual teacher and author is the narrator on multiple songs. Lamar’s partner Whitney Alford is credited as a narrator on “We Cry Together,” which also features a Florence and the Machine sample. It also features production from Pharrell, Duval Timothy, the Alchemist, Beach Noise, Boi-1da, Sounwave, Dahi, FNZ, J.LBS, Bekon, and many more.

Lamar has been teasing his “final TDE album” since August of last year, when he launched his mysterious Oklama website and released an allusive statement on his next body of work. “I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” he wrote of Top Dawg Entertainment. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers follows his Pulitzer Prize–winning 2017 full-length Damn.

Earlier this month, Lamar posted another link to his Oklama site, this time leading to a black folder containing a page called “master.” Upon that page was a photograph of a hand holding both a book with Lamar’s name and “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” on the cover. Two CDs were held on top of the book—one with “Morale” and the other with “Steppers,” each marked as a master copy.

Less than a week before the release of the new LP, Lamar dropped “The Heart Part 5,” his first song as a lead artist since 2018 and the latest in his long-running “The Heart” singles series. Historically, Lamar has shared these tracks as a prelude to a bigger project. “Part 5” arrived with a music video directed by Dave Free and Lamar, in which the rapper’s face morphs into deepfakes of OJ Simpson, Will Smith, Jussie Smollett, Kobe Bryant, Kanye West, and Nipsey Hussle. The visual opened with this quote attributed to Oklama: “I am. All of us.”

Lamar has since revealed the album artwork for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: a somber image shot by Renell Medrano. In the intimate bedroom scene, Lamar wears a crown of thorns while carrying a child whose gaze pierces the camera. In the background, a woman sits on an unmade bed holding a baby. Lamar, who has a gun conspicuously tucked into his pants, stares out of the window, as if on the alert for threats.

In the years since he released Damn., Lamar has appeared on songs by Busta Rhymes, Terrace Martin, Sir, and Anderson .Paak. He helmed Black Panther: The Album, the soundtrack to Ryan Coogler’s Marvel blockbuster, and released the Grammy-nominated “All the Stars” with SZA. In March 2020, Lamar and Dave Free launched pgLang, a “multi-lingual, at service company” that creates multimedia content for high-end brands.

“Family Ties,” Lamar’s 2021 collaboration with his cousin and protégé, Baby Keem, went on to win the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. Lamar joined Keem onstage to perform the song and another collaboration, “Vent,” at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival last month. After joining a bumper-edition Super Bowl halftime show in February, Lamar is set to headline both Glastonbury and Rolling Loud Miami later this year.

01 United in Grief

Producer: Beach Noise, Duval Timothy, J.LBS, OKLAMA, Sounwave, Tim Maxey
Composer: Duval Timothy, J. Pounds, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matt Schaeffer, Sam Drew, Tim Maxey
Lyricist: Duval Timothy, J. Pounds, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matt Schaeffer, Sam Drew, Tim Maxey
Additional Producer: Beach Noise, Tim Maxey
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Sedrick Moore II
Engineer: Jonathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Whitney Alford
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., SEdrick Moore II, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra

02 N95

Producer: Boi-1da, Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Sweet, Sounwave
Composer: Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Samuels, Sam Drew
Lyricist: Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Samuels, Sam Drew
Additional Producer: Hykeem Carter
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Sedrick Moore II
Engineer: Matt Schaeffer
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Sedrick Moore II, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra

03 Worldwide Steppers

Producer: J.LBS, Sounwave, Tae Beast
Composer: Donte Lamar Perkins, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, P. Darnell, Sam Dw, V. Crane
Lyricist: Donte Lamar Perkins, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, P. Darnell, Sam Dw, V. Crane
Additional Producer: J.LBS
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Bill K. Kapri
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Andrew Vilchis, Johnathan Turner, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Trey Station, Zach Pereyra

04 Die Hard [ft. Blxst & Amanda Reifer]

Producer: Dahi, FNZ, Hykeem Carter, J.LBS, Sounwave
Composer: Amanda Reifer, D. Natche, Hykeem Carter, Isaac John De Boni, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. SMITH, M. Spears, Matthew Burdette, Michael John Mulé, R. SMITH, Sam Dew, Thundercat, Victor Ekpo
Lyricist: Amanda Reifer, D. Natche, Hykeem Carter, Isaac John De Boni, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. SMITH, M. Spears, Matthew Burdette, Michael John Mulé, R. SMITH, Sam Dew, Thundercat, Victor Ekpo
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Amanda Reifer, Blxst, Grandmaster Vic, Hykeem Carter, Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Wesley Seidman
Bass: Thundercat
Co-producer: FNZ
Drums: Hykeem Carter
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.

05 Father Time [ft. Sampha]

Producer: Beach Noise, Bekon, Dahi, Duval Timothy, Sounwave, Victor Ekpo
Composer: D. Natche, Daniel Tannenbaum, Duval Timothy, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, K. Jones, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Schaeffer, Sampha Sisay, Victor Ekpo
Lyricist: D. Natche, Daniel Tannenbaum, Duval Timothy, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, K. Jones, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Schaeffer, Sampha Sisay, Victor Ekpo
Additional Producer: Duval Timothy, Victor Ekpo
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Bekon, Dahi, Kendrick Lamar, Sampha, Sounwave
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Brandon Wood, Kaushlesh “Gary” Purohit, Rob Bisel, Sedrick Moore II, Tristan Bott
Bass: Bekon
Drums: Sounwave
Engineer: Charles Brown Jr., James Hunt, Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer
Featured Artist: Sampha
Keyboards: Bekon
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Whitney Alford
Programming: Dahi
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Brandon Wood, Charles Ray Brown Jr., James Hunt, Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Kauslesh “Gary” Purohit, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Rob Bisel, Sedrick Moore II, Trey Station, Tristan Bott, Zach Pereyra
Vocalist: Sampha

06 Rich (Interlude)

Producer: Duval Timothy
Composer/Lyricist: Bill K. Kapri, Duval Timothy, Sam Dew
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Engineer: Derek Garcia, Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Erwing Olivares
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Derek Garcia, Erwing Olivares, Johnathan Turner, Manny Marroquin, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Trey Station, Zach Pereyra

07 Rich Spirit

Producer: Dahi, Sounwave, franO
Composer: A. Thomas, D Dennis, D. Natche, Frano Huette, G. Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, M. Hall, M. Spears, Sam Dew
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Dahi, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew, Sounwave, franO
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Background Vocalist: Sam Dew
Bass: Dahi
Drums: Sounwave
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Keyboards: franO
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Percussion: Dahi
Programming: Dahi, franO
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel:  Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Johnathan Turner, Manny Marroquin, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Trey Station, Zach Pereyra

08 We Cry Together [ft. Taylour Paige]

Producer: Bekon, J.LBS, The Alchemist
Composer/Lyricist: Daniel Alan Maman, Daniel Tannenbaum, F. Welch, G. Peacock, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar
Additional Producer: Bekon
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Brandon Blatz, Curtis “Sircuit” Bye
Associate Performer: Kendrick Lamar, Taylour Paige
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Brandon Wood, Logan Haynes, Tristan Bott
Co-producer: J.LBS
Engineer: Matt Schaeffer
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixser: Cyrus “NOIS” Taghipour, Derek “MixsedByAli” Ali
Narrator: Whitney Alford
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Brandon Blatz, Brandon Wood, Curtis “Sircuit” Bye, Cyrus “NOIS” Taghipour, Derek “MixsedByAli” Ali, Johnathan Turner, Logan Haynes, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Tristan Bott
Vocalist: Taylour Paige

09 Purple Hearts [ft. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah]

Producer: Beach Noise, DJ Khalil, J.LBS, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Anthony Dixon, Dennis COles, J. Pounds, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, M. Spears, Matthew Schaeffer, Sam Dew, Summer Walker
Additional Producer: Beach Noise, J.LBS
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar, Summer Walker
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Evan Fulcher
Engineer: David “Dos Dias” Bishop, Johnny Kosich
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Jonathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Raymond J Scavo III
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, David “Dos Dias” Bishop, Evan Fulcher, Jonathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Raymond J Scavo III, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra

10 Count Me Out

Producer: Dahi, J.LBS, Oklama, Sounwave, Tim Maxey
Composer: D. Natche, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sam Dew
Additional Producer: Tim Maxey
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: D. Natche, Dahi, Danny McKinnon, Denis Sotoudmire, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Background Vocalist: D. Natche
Bass: Danny McKinnon, J. Pounds
Choir: Anneston Pisayavong, Brenton Calvin Lockett, Bryce Xavier, Immryr LoBasso Spencer, Jaheen King Tombs, Sydney Bourne, Paris Burton
Choir Arranger: Denise Stoudmire
Drums: Dahi
Guitar: Danny McKinnon
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Eckhart Tolle
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar

11 Crown

Producer: Duval Timothy
Composer/Lyricist: Duval Timothy, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Johnny Morgan
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar

12 Silent Hill [ft. Kodak Black]

Producer: Beach Noise, Boi-1da, Jaheen Sweet, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Beach Noise (Matthew, Johnny, Jake), Bill K. Kapri, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Samuels
Additional Producer: Beach Noise
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar, Kodak Black
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Wesley Seidman
Engineer: Derek Garcia, Johnathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar, Kodak Black
 

13 Savior – Interlude

Producer: J.LBS, Oklama, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Hykeem Carter, J. Pounds, M. Spears, Oklama
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Eckhart Tolle
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar

14 Savior [ft. Baby Keem, Sam Dew]

Producer: Cardo, J.LBS, Mario Luciano, Oklama, Rascal, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Daniel Tannenbaum, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Mario Luciano, Rascal, Ronald LaTour, Sam Dew, Tommy Paxton-Beesley
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Baby KEem, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew
Co-Producer: Mario Luciano, Rascal
Engineer: Andrew Boyd, James Hunt, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Vocalist: Sam Dew

15 Auntie Diaries

Producer: Beach Noise, Bekon, Bekon & the Donuts, Craig Balmoris, Sergiu Gherman, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Composer/Lyricist: Craig Balmoris, Daniel Krieger, Daniel Tannenbaum, Homer Steinweiss, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, Matt Schaeffer, Sergiu Gherman, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Additional Producer: Beach Noise
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Daniel Krieger, Daniel Tannenbaum, Homer Steinweiss, Kendrick Lamar
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Hannah Kacmarsky, Thomas Warren, Zach Acosta
Background Vocalist: Daniel Tannenbaum
Drums: Homer Steinweiss
Engineer: Chad Gordon, James Hunt, Jonathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Anthony, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Guitar: Daniel Krieger
Keyboards: Daniel Tannenbaum
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Strings: Daniel Tannenbaum
Synthesizer: Daniel Tannenbaum

16 Mr. Morale [ft. Tanna Leone]

Producer: Pharrell Williams
Composer/Lyricist: Avante Santana, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Sam Dew
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar, Mike Larson
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Eckhart Tolle
Programming: Mike Larson
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.

17 Mother I Sober [ft. Beth Gibbons of Portishead]

Producer: Bekon, J.LBS, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Beth Gibbons, Daniel Tannenbaum, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sam Dew, Thundercat
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Bass: Thundercat
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matthew Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Featured Artist: Beth Gibbons
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Strings: Grandmaster Vic
Vocalist: Beth Gibbons

18 Mirror

Producer: Bekon, Craig Balmoris, Dahi, Sergiu Gherman, Sounwave, Tim Maxey, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Composer: Bekon, Craig Balmoris, D. Natche, Daniel Krieger, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sergiu Gherman, Stuart Johnson, Tim Maxey, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Lyricist: Bekon, Craig Balmoris, D. Natche, Daniel Krieger, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sergiu Gherman, Stuart Johnson, Tim Maxey, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Additional Producer: Tim Maxey
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Bekon, Dahi, Daniel Krieger, Kendrick Lamar, Sounwave, Stuart Johnson
Assistant Recording Engineer: Johnny Morgan, Wesley seidman
Background Vocalist: Bekon
Bass: Bekon
Drums: Dahi, Sounwave
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matt Anthony, Matt Schaeffer
Guitar: Daniel Krieger
Keyboards: Bekon
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Bill K. Kapri
Percussion: Bekon, Stuart Johnson
Programming: Bekon, Dahi, Sounwave
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Strings: Bekon

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