By Anton Karve

Quick Look:

The Song

The Album

Favourite Shots

The Song

“Hello new world, all the boys and girls
I got some true stories to tell
You’re back outside, but they still lied
Woah-oh-oh-oh”

The second track of Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” introduces itself with a cheerful jingle. It’s titled “N95”, the term referring to a high-level respiratory mask widely used by medics during the pandemic. Lamar addresses younger generations warning them of a “new world” filled with deceit, exploitation and propaganda.

Kendrick’s “N95” is a song about the fronts people put up to mask their true intentions, feelings or circumstances. It is about betrayal, inequality and facades. It’s an artistic banger, chock full of references and symbolism. If you haven’t yet watched it, here’s the music video.

The lyrics of “N95” make references to dishonest posturing among celebrities, as well as the false sense of superiority people gain through the facades they put up. Kendrick implores listeners to “take off” the mask that obscures their true nature from others, and most importantly, themselves.

“Take off the money phone,
take off the car loan,
take off the flex and the white lies”

Lamar critiques the world government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, accusing them of flip-flopping between measures that often betray their citizens in favour of big industries.

“The world in a panic,
the women is stranded,
the men on a run /

The prophets abandoned,
the law take advantage,
the market is crashin’,
the industry wants /”

One of the most poignant aspects of “N95” is the biblical imagery, delivered in both obvious and subliminal ways. In the music video, Kendrick is seen standing superimposed on water, sometimes holding a pose reminiscent of Jesus crucified on the holy cross.

The imagery in the music video perfectly mirrors the message delivered by the lyrics, down to the split-second. These connections are easily missed, only discovered by scrutinising fans after multiple watches. In one instance, Kendrick and Baby Keem (Kendrick’s cousin, an up-and-coming rapper) stride down a hallway as Kendrick raps:

“Would you sell your soul on credit? (Let’s go)
Would you sell your bro for leverage? (Let’s go)”

At this moment in the video, Keem kisses Kendrick on the cheek, causing Kendrick to abruptly pause and stare. In the Gospel of Matthew, Judas told the Romans “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!” Judas then approached and kissed Jesus. In exchange for his betrayal, Judas received 30 pieces of silver. The meaning behind the biblical reference is clear – even those who you see as family, such as Kendrick’s cousin Baby Keem, might just be waiting for the right moment to sell you out for “leverage”.

‘Would you sell your bro for leverage?’ Keem proceeds to kiss Kendrick’s cheek

Judas kissed Jesus before he sold him out to the Roman soldiers

Kendrick’s a genius man ? https://t.co/PGS37yv0ia

— michael (@MysticFook) May 14, 2022

In the song, Kendrick condemns himself and other celebrities for indulging their inflated egos by accepting a prophet-like status in the eyes of fans. At the same time, he warns listeners against idolising the exaggerated personalities of celebrities. “N95” is as much of a critique as it is a cautionary tale.

The Album

“Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” is an album that both critiques and sympathises with those who have not come to terms with their true nature. In it, Kendrick explores the origins of some of his biggest flaws, such as a deeply-ingrained saviour complex (Track 14: Saviour), internalised racism and lust (Track 3: Worldwide Steppers), “daddy issues” (Track 5: Father Time) and addictive behaviour (Track 17: Mother I Sober). Through the course of the album, Kendrick recalls how he addressed, struggled with, and eventually let go of many of his past traumas during his 5-year hiatus. The album is a story of a broken man learning to grow and recover, in the process freeing himself from a “generational curse”, alluding to many issues deemed by many to be inherent in black communities.

While Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5” (read our review and in-depth analysis!) explores the continuous cycles of violence, poverty and abuse in the larger scale of black communities, the album takes a more personal approach. Listening through it feels like you’re accompanying Kendrick on a journey of self-discovery, wavering between desolation, anger, introspection, and eventually hope. Hidden between the lyrics is wisdom from a man that has hit rock bottom and bounced back, and he delivers this over a series of head-bopping beats and flows. 

The album wasn’t a series of club bangers or chart toppers, nor did it try to be (the album did top the charts in the end). Instead, it was a highly emotional journey consisting of many stories that, although personal in nature, can easily be applied to the bigger picture.

Speaking of pictures, enjoy some of our favourite moments from the beautifully-shot “N95” music video.

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What did you think of the “N95” music video, and how did you like Kendrick’s new album? Let us know on Instagram or Twitter via @snkrdunk_int or #snkrdunkint