Kendrick Lamar’s first release for the maniacally anticipated follow-up to good kid, m.A.A.d city just dropped and the reception is extremely mixed. Other than the obvious criticisms like “his voice!” and the idea that it’s a bit softer than his usual goodness (some even going so far as crossing his face with Macklemore’s because Twitter has zero chill) there’s just the idea that it’s almost completely different from anything he’s done so far.
Fans are fickle, and in the Internet era, they’re more fickle than ever. His classic debut came out almost two years ago, and fans have been patiently waiting for a continuation to king Kendrick’s reign. Since then, he’s lost a Grammy and toured constantly, but he’s released nothing but a few guest verses, mostly for artists in the TDE compound along with Imagine Dragons and more recently Young Jeezy and Flying Lotus. You can imagine how excited we were, then, when the new song dropped. First the artwork showed members flashing colors and making heart signs, and then on the song, well… Here’s what we thought. And by we, I mean Andres Tardio our Sr. News Writer, Justin Hunte our Editor-in-Chief, and myself, Andre Grant.
Andres: Just before good kid, m.A.A.d. city was released to critical acclaim from nearly everyone, including HipHopDX, I saw Kendrick Lamar at a music festival full of many drunk and high teens, 20 and 30-somethings who were waving their hands in the air as K. Dot performed. There was something inspiring about hearing them all chant along to “Swimming Pools (Drank)” in enthusiastic unison. The sober and not-so-sober folks were emphatic about this anti-drinking anthem made by an introspective young man, inspired by his complicated relationship with alcohol. There was hope for a brighter tomorrow. It was beautiful.
Today, Kendrick Lamar released his new single, “i,” a celebration of self. “I love myself,” is a catchy part of the hook, which finds Kendrick once again hitting the public with an uplifting message filled with depth, layered with a cloak of intricate, thoughtful raps that examine one’s life, emotions and complexities. “i” acts as an opening act for what is set to become Lamar’s second major label album, but it also serves a different purpose. “We gotta respect the young man for using his platform to say something in music,” Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, CEO of TDE, said before the track was released. Amen to that. Just like those teens, 20 and 30-somethings at that festival, waving their hands to a song about the negative effects of alcohol, a child today is waking up, boppin’ his or her head in front of a mirror, and saying, “I love myself.” That’s beautiful.
Andre: Not to get all esoteric, but I like to compare Kendrick to other Gemini rappers of similar ilk, and apparently, similar ideas. There was Tupac going from super positive guy to I’ll murder your family guy in a heartbeat and 3Stacks going in every direction at once on every album after Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, finally reaching for that flashing green pop light on The Love Below, and then B.I.G going from “Gimme The Loot” and “Suicidal Thoughts” to “Player Hater” and chunky, immaculate verses on “Victory” and “Hypnotize.” What I’m saying is it can be done, this abrupt switch in style, the machinery of the voice treated like some malleable thing you can use in any which way. And let’s not forget Mr. West, arguably the most mercurial representative, who’s gone through a categorical shift on each record with fans splintering and cracking with each release as a new demographic rushes to embrace him.
Overall, I think the drastic shift in tone, and the hyper-positivity is something only Kendrick could do with any credulity right now. Add in the fact that good kid, m.A.A.d City was a movement from negative to positive and you have what’s probably half of something else in the overall narrative the way “Sing About Me/Dying of Thirst” was some kind of multiple turned exponential rendering. This is K. Dot’s secret ingredient, I think. Dividing himself so much he embraces the fractured identities of of the hypershare era. “i” is beautiful in that way, and it’s made me curious for what will come next.
Justin: Baseball scouts covet something described as the 5-Tool-Player. It’s a characterization referring to non-pitchers who can hit for average, hit for power, run bases awesomely, field awesomely, and throw awesomely. If a player has all five of those tools, then supposedly that player is incredible.
Now here’s a theory for you to completely disregard: Music is most effectual if it rocks in all the scenarios that people most often use music. If an artist can create a 5-Tool-Song—a song that rocks in the car, rocks in the gym, rocks in the crib, rocks in the club, and rocks when downshifting into mack-mode—then that artist probably created a hit. Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” is a 5-Tool-Song, for example. Prince’s “When Doves Cry” is another. So is “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe.” It’s the aural holy grail—at least for singles.
I don’t care about the mixed-to-abominable reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s “i.” I love the song. I love the dripping positivity and the shifting rhyme schemes flowing like a fountain full of words. I love the Golden Era Puff Daddy-esque throwback sampling style that’s pretty much just the original version of The Isley Brothers’ “Who’s That Lady.” I love how K. Dot somehow harnessed his inner Cee Lo Green. I love how the song feels risky yet revels in the fact that inspiration, the act of inspiring people through sound, is never truly a risk at all.
And most of all—at least through my day one assessment—I love how “i” rocks in the gym, in the car, in the club, and in the crib. There haven’t been any mack-mode tests yet. But a 4-Tool song is still loaded with Replay Value.
Related: Kendrick Lamar Reveals Upcoming Album To Feature Dr. Dre Production, Not Many Guests [News]
Great insight.
Thank you, Rain. We appreciate you reading the piece.
soccer mom rap at its finest!
blaze the j
its all in all a good song. but i think its not unlike how other rappers “deviate” from what ppl feel is their sound, or hip hop. it may not be what i want to hear from that artist right now, but you gotta let them just express openly. whether its 808s, distant cousins, or roman’s revenge, they explore different sides of themselves.
That’s part of the fun of it all, isn’t it? It’s awesome to talk about how awesome Illmatic is AND it’s awesome to talk about how awful Nastradamus turned out. It’s part of the fan experience, but true artists always rise above the conjecture and they always take risks. Heads hated “Hey Ya” when it first dropped.
Thank you for the insight, triPAUD. We appreciate you checking the piece as well.
I LOVED Hey Ya when it first dropped. Not crazy about this joint but kudos to Kendrick for not falling into the mundane topics of mainstream rap. I also love the fact that he isn’t flooding the game with a new song every other day. Anything that’s good is worth waiting for, anything that’s GREAT is worth paying for… (rambling done -_-)
That’s great that you guys find this song so “uplifting” and “beautiful” but ultimately this is the weakest song Kendrick has ever put out. I couldn’t imagine that this song becomes anything more than a bonus track on the album, if even that.
The worst record? Really? Worse than “The Recipe”?? REALLY???
Thank you for the comment, RR. Sincerely.
@justin hunte: the recipe was fire. This is cool, but too fast to get to
“The Recipe” felt super conventional. It’s as yawn inducing as Kendrick gets for me. But thank you for the comment, C. Sincerely.
you can certainly hate on The Recipe from a lyrical standpoint, but that beat is fire. and kendrick and dre both sound good on it, although yeah the lyrics are empty
The Recipe is 100000X superior to (I love myself). The layers on that record is crazy. What the hell you talking about?
definitely an interesting return for Kendrick, but I expected another classic track like Swimming Pools after such a long hiatus. This track is aight I guess but it sure as shit isn’t getting any more spins by me
I really like his rhyme schemes on this one. His flow is dope still. I’m definitely excited to hear what’s next, as Andre mentioned above.
Thank you for checking the article, i get it.
Really, the rhyme schemes seemed kind of basic to me (for Kendrick anyway – for someone like, Logic, for example, they’d be decent). That was the most disappointing part, probably. That last verse is my shit though.
trash no drake no relevance no fucks given
Drake is a pop singer. foh.
Kendrick Lamar’s garbage ass was hyped up by clueless fans who actually thought his first album was a “classic”. Now people are beginning to realize that they prematurely put him on a pedestal for “saving Hip Hop”. The voice is an important part of musicality, and Kendrick’s voice and tonal shifts are grating and his lyrics are shit.
GKMC (his second album) was a classic, and his lyrics are incredible. His voice can be weird at times, I think he should stick with his Section 80 delivery because that sounded cool, but he definitely makes up for it.
You can’t make a better album than g.k.m.c. You can’t make anything.
Must admit kendirck is biting pharrel and will i am not to metion Justin Hibbert [i] who has been dropping music under the name “i” for awhile now. has that track with troy ave
dope beat dope rhymes. Stadium music, straight energy. And he hit you with a message……I love myself. finally a rapper that gets it. on another note why do you guys (hhdx) fail to recognize section 80 as K. first album which was a classic SMH
Because it GKMC was a major label release, Section.80 was an indie release.
Indie or major, it doesn’t matter. Section 80 is his debut album. Even when it came out Kendrick addressed it as such. When an artist puts out a project on Koch, it’s still considered an album. Interscope/Aftermath hyped it up as his debut just so it could be compared to other debut albums.
So nobody is even gonna address the ridiculous voice altering on his vocals as if he really sounds like a robot? Good song, but i’m sorry those vocals are way to over processed, and the fact that it isn’t even mentioned is kind of embarassing
It takes away from live performances as well
the high pitched voice sucks.
Kendrick’s voice just sucks in general.
Whoever Andres is…thats maddd neck. This song was corny and had Interscopes pawprints all over it. His verses were mehh but he be changing his voice to the point of annoyance now.
timeout Justin is a cornball too b. “i” does not jam in the club, i wanna know where DX finds these people
Thank you sincerely for the comment, L dot. I wear my cornball-ness like a badge of honor. Oh by the way, “i” was jamming in the two clubs I stopped through last night. That line wasn’t an assumption. It actually happened.
I think this review of Kendrick’s new single was a bit one-sided.
The song is unabashedly pop, a blatant Ceelo/Pharell rip, and he raps in an annoyingly high-pitched voice.
All of which disappoint his core fans.
On the positive side, the song has a nice intro, and a refreshing beat change-up with the last verse. Both RZA-esque devices that serves the song well.
I’ve been a fan of Kendrick’s since OD came out, and I can tell you that I am not disappointed. He promised aggression and emotion in this next album. This song has plenty of emotion. As for the sound, it is a pop, but to limit the span of hip-hop into a particular sound would be to hinder its growth.
I feel like its a flawed track. It could have been perfect, but its just…off. I think the hook just falls flat. Its not catchy, but it tries to be. And it tries too hard.
He’s also not saying a whole lot. The message is sort of lost.
Section 80 is better than GKMC.
Hol up,Kush and Corrintians, ADHD, Rigamortis, Ronald Reagan,Chapter Six,The spiteful Chant. CRAZY
Swimming pool is overrated
Poetic Justice is wack
BDKMV-Tired
BackYard Freestyle-Great energy but sounds unfocused and all over the place
These songs damn near ruined the album for me.
Yawl have to STOP comparing songs like they are boxing opponents. Enjoy them for what they are intended for and just lighten up. You can like more than one style of music. It’s not a crime.
True but lame is lame period! And he sounds like a chipmunk
This is corny and pop…..Get off this dudes nuts already !
Pretty much.
It ain’t.
Exactly
The track feels like a throwaway.. something you put on a movie soundtrack. If it was being played in a club, it’s only cuz it’s new and the DJ wanted the exclusiveness of it.This is no club banger.. first single should be a banger.
It’s just one song, I’m an album listener personally like watching the whole movie and not just the trailer. That is why GKMC and sec80 are great to listens for me and no I don’t hype gkmc to be one of the top 10 albums or so in the history of hip hop but still very good. this song is ok, waiting for the album though
he fucked up
Last dude listens to “when doves cry” at the gym.
I absolutely do. That track is TUFFFFFFF! Thank you for the comment, k9. And thank you for reading.
@Justin Hunte : 1) that whole baseball analogy was madddd neck for a lackluster first single, it wasnt that serious 2)what 2 clubs you was at that was playin “i” ??? FOH whatever clubs u at are NOT poppin brody 3) This song aint a whip banger. you sir need to spit out kendricks nuts. talking bout 5 tool hit wtf is wrong with u??
What real nigga is going to bump this in his whip? The hook made me cringe son. This editorial made me cringe. None of ya “staff writers” could go into any barber shop in any hood and say what u just wrote above ^^. I highly doubt DX staff have ‘barbershop debates’ about the hip hop game. Probably because most of you go to SuperCuts and stay away from the streets; are affluent and your parents are secretly ashamed that their child is a Hip Hop Blogger. Just because one has a degree in Journalism or Communications does not mean you are qualified to write about rap as if youre an expert or something. You guys are the culture vultures Dame Dash talks about. Ya know nothing about hip hop, but u write wack editorials and album reviews as if anybody who matters cares about ur perspective. u know what they say… those who cant rap, make beats. Those who cant make beats, engineer. And those who cant do none of the above, Blog about hip hop. im tired of these editorials b. word.
Thank you for the comment, L dot. We appreciate it, sincerely. Thanks again for checking the piece, too, by the way.
“I highly doubt DX staff have ‘barbershop debates’ about the hip hop game. Probably because most of you go to SuperCuts and stay away from the streets”
Dying with laughter right now. Love it!
why that voice
Don’t need multiple opinions to guide me on how a song sounds. Song sounds like a single that I’ll rarely listen to.
lol Justin be having some chill gym sessions. Must be all stair master with a half hour yoga cool down. Good article btw.
lol…word. I remember when songs like M.O.P.’s Ante Up used to knock hard in the gym. That was the first single for their album. It really shows how soft hip hop has become. These rappers can even put out a single with a little bit of grit any more. It’s really sad.
You like how they say this dick riding article is written by DX staff? Lol
i love myse… GTFO B!TCH
Y’all giving this song press it doesn’t deserve. Such a waste of time. Kendrick makes an average song and you guys write a full page article defending it. He made an average song. It’s no big deal. Why does Kendrick get special treatment? Lets see another full page story after another mainstream artist drops their first single. And y’all buggin’ if you think this song bangs in the gym…LMAO!!
The hype machine continues! “I’ is ok but I need more and better when all I hear is this guy is King. Anyway 0 to 100 kills this! And so does seen it all. But I get it in hip hop everyone loves the new guy. The song is average
“Anyway 0 to 100 kills this! And so does seen it all.”
No, they don’t.
O really! well it looks like I was being kind calling it ok because a lot of the comments says it sucks. And yes 0 to 100 is a banger! Seen it all a banger! “I” please! that shit is weak compared to Hii Powered, bitch don’t kill my vibe and other songs from Kdot!
0 to 100 is boring as shit and Seen It All wasn’t all that. I is actually a good song.
Yeah it’s so boring he’s performing it all across the country probably in your city. I’m sorry I enjoy life I don’t need to sit in a corner with my eyes closed listening to I love myself. Its ok man dam can I have my opinion w/o some sensitive Kendrick “stan” getting offended
Not. Every artist performs their somgs across the country, Aubrey ain’t special. And no, you’re the sensitive one.
This song just isn’t good, face it your retards
DX staff, if you really think this song is hot, you might as well give the album a 5 out of 5 before its even out. smh.
rock a club? really?
a mainstream club. this shit is about to be a huge hit
Why are yall calling this his sophomore album? Was’nt his first album section 80? So that would make this his Junior Album, if Im not mistaken. Just saying, Overly Dedicated , and Kendrick Lamar were also considered albums so it at least is really his Junior album. Just wondering how you guys calibrate it, is it by store releases or under his current label or ?
GKMC is hyped up as his debut so the hype behind it can compare it to other great debut albums. All that talk about the best debut since Food & Liquor or Illmatic when it really is his second album.
The hyper-positivity of the song is exactly what gets on the nerves. There’s only so many times you can bear to hear a guy shout “I love myself” in a song. The hooks is not catchy at all, it is irritating. The verses are too short and the beat is poppy. An obvious radio single directed for all audiences. In one word – CHEEZY.
I know DX likes to suck on the guy’s nuts, but this is too much. You get opinion from THREE writers and ALL of them say the songs is amazing? Where the fuck is critical opinion?
i actually think its ok……….. fuck haters
Ok isn’t good enough when you’re supposed to be the best that ever did it.
the song is a good song period…not really my wave but anytime a major artist use his voice to promote positive is GOOD…do u really think the album will be full of shit like this…NO….Kendrick has shown us he is a rap savant so let him do him…..and this is coming from a guy who prob not listen to the song again…simply because I know the CRACK is coming…its funny how mogs shit on the positive and say something lame like its not better than “worst” or something like that lol …mogs kill me
Hiphop fans forever complaining lol. Last 2 hiphop albums to go platinum were full of depth,complexity ,political and social issues while having some crazy ass production. Macklemore and kendrick lamar but yet it still isnt enough for some of these fans. Now we get a track thats on that positive shit and ppl still aint happy. Oh well I really dug this shit. Keep it up lil bro
that macklemore album was odee trash FOH my nigga.
That sample is absolutely ridiculous as well. SALUTE!
I’ve closed my eyes and listened really hard and this song is not good
So because YOU did this, we’re all supposed to not like the song, now?
FOH
Did I say that dummy?
SMFH! This Hip Pop bullshit is killing me. He must gave Erika Badu head before writing this.
just before I looked at the paycheck which was of $5621 , I didnt believe that…my… friend trully receiving money part time online. . there dads buddy haz done this 4 only fifteen months and recently paid the mortgage on their apartment and bought a brand new Saab 99 Turbo . look at more info,………….
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Well I went back and listened 4 or 5 more times and I still feel the same about it. It’s not that good. Kendrick is the new guy so whatever he drops is going to get played good or bad. Great rapper doesn’t mean great artist. This is his 1st song in 2 years.
Hiphopdx staff is on Kendrick’s nuts.
If this song was released by anyone else but Kendrick it would be mocked along the lines of the hiphop pop that fills the mainstream radio airwaves.
‘Cartoons and Cereal’ by Kendrick is an example of someone taking a chance and pushing the boundaries like some of the stuff Andre 3000, Kool Keith, or MF Doom have released over the years.
This new Kendrick songs is an attempt to get some of that ‘Happy’ Pharrell white people money… nothing more…
Cartoons and Cereal is arguably Kendrick’s best song, so you can’t compare everything else he drops to it.
yo you just hit the nail on the head mehn. kendrick is an amazing artist but i think those biased people that are always routing for lyrical, real 90’s rap overrate kendrick. if drake did this kind of song, the slaughter wont stop. funny thing is the song isnt even smooth . it sounds forceful , like a filler for a particular demographic. plus kendrick says a lot of dumb shit in a lot of his songs and people just give him a pass. regardless, he is an amazing artist and one of the best out
Some of you guys must be listening to a completely different song. It’s too poppy? Have you heard pop radio? This isn’t Biebs. This isn’t Katy Perry. This isn’t Taylor Swift. How the hell is it poppy? What is out that remotely sounds like this that you’re comparing it too? It has a freaking bass solo in it for fucks sake.
Some of you guys are saying it’s similar Happy. Really? The only similarities I can see is that it’s positive and a throwback to an older sound but they’re totally different sounds Pharrell is closer to Marvin Gaye or Al Green.
Kendrick’s ‘I’ is closer to Jimi Hendrix. Listen to, “If 6 was 9” or “Stone Free”.
yo timeout. i know u not comparing this song to any hendrix song my nigga u must be tripping off the Xans or your real name Justin Hunte. hold this L my guy
Did you just compare Kendrick to Jimi Hendrix? Stick yourself Nigga!!!!!!
You guys are absolutely dense. Don’t call me “nigga”‘, I’m not an uneducated asshole.
Nigga please!!!! Go read some more books with your educated ass! The song is still weak!!
Okay. I never said it was good or bad, just that people’s perception of it is way off base. Doesn’t sound like Happy and it doesn’t sound like a typical pop song. I said that it sounds like a Jimi Hendrix song and people lose their minds. Have you even looked up the songs I suggested?
For those who have problems with reading comprehension; I’m not saying Kendrick is the next Jimi Hendrix. Sonically speaking, this sounds like a Hendrix song. The jangly/pyschedelic electric guitar, the cowbell, the use of loud speaker during the chorus, the lyrics involving self empowerment. It sounds like it should’ve came out during the 70’s.
This doesn’t sound like your typical Hip Hop song and now you’re all upset. Probably mad that it’s not DJ Mustard beat or some song with heavy bass and staggering hi-hats. Most of you are probably musically retarded and don’t know what a fucking hi-hat is.
I swear you all just want to react to shit. Cover your ears, close your eyes, and throw around “nigga” followed by an uninspired insult. Boom, Rap comment section. Lowest common denominator. Probably haven’t listened to a whole Hendrix album.
Well we don’t need your educated ass telling us what our opinion should be. If someone thinks the shit reminds them of happy than they can w/o some Kendrick dick rider getting all sensitive. And I can say nigga all I want nigga!!!Because I am “never ignorant getting goals accomplished” pull your skirt down we are entitled to our opinions.
Is it just me or does this guy almost sound slick racist with his we all like dj mustard and heavy beats , the musically retarded comment, the “you all” references honestly made me feel some type of way. Keep talking buddy!
You can have your opinion, it doesn’t mean it’s a good one. A good opinion is justified through explanation and rationale. I can tell you that an apple tastes like tuna and your dumb ass would probably think that shit is okay. Let’s just refer to “chairs” as “tables” while we’re at it! There is almost no similarity between “Happy” and “I” and it’s completely unjustified to say one sounds like the other.
I’m not a Kendrick dick rider. I’m a rational human being who irrationally took the time to comment on a comment section on rap website. I’ll hold that L.
To Sean Hannity; that’s funny that your name is Sean Hannity. Very ironic. I’m referring to the opinionated people of Hip Hop blogosphere who can’t articulate a fucking opinion if their life depended on it. I honestly believe that there’s a group of Hip Hop fans that hate instruments. I think the context in which they listen to music is narrowed down to the sound that is played on the radio which so happens to be basic synth melodies and “ay” chants that Mustard has pioneered and brought to the mainstream. With that in mind, I feel that music with depth; sonically, lyrically, and culturally, gets trashed because it doesn’t have the same accessibility as something like “Rack City.”
It’s fast-food music. It’s simple, has a short lifespan, and on some level, retardates music taste. You’ve got a child; will they choose to eat broccoli or candy if given the choice? Both is fine. Hell, I like ignorant shit. It’s just not good to consume candy for every meal, every day.
I don’t like the song and that’s my opinion and others period. Just because a song is deep or something different doesn’t make it good. Nas and common both have a few duds. But it’s been a week and I bet you haven’t listened to”I”at all. “I sit in front of my computer all day and comment on everything, I’m an expert on everything, everything sucks, play the next song” Lol that’s from some of that ignorant rap I like and it definitely applies. Anyway keep trolling I’m done.
There’s no definitive “good” or “bad” music. I never said this was a good song. Why are you so ignorant?
Sounds like you’re the ignorant one still talking about this shit! Im done troll
mr. educated anonymous, who are you? i want to follow you in life. i like your opinions.
Jemi Hendrix? Nigga Please!!!! I’m done talking to you Kendrick fans after that.
this song sucks. this isn’t hip hop. Is it me or some of his sh*t sometimes don’t make sense? and its none of those, over your head kind of lyrics, some of the things he says just don’t make sense. And i’m from the hood in LA. I support kendrick whole heartedly and quite frankly wish him success. But to be unbiased, this is garbage. True, tupac did some positive things but it was soulful, this is ghastly, it ain’t even about being pop. You just know when good music comes up. THis isn’t one of them. Too much. sophomore curse? possibly. HOpefully not.
“i’m from the hood in LA.” hahaha GTFOH!!
DX sucking kendrick’s nuts HARD! God what the fuck happened to critical writing????
I don’t know, you tell me. Lord knows your comment is lacking “critical writing”.
Well for one thing, the blatant hyper-postivity is annoying as fuck. The beat is poppy. The vocals pitch is too damn high.
An obvious radio friendly single for mass consumption.
Section 80 is better than GKMC, too many tracks on GKMC is overrated IMO.
1)Poetic Justice is wack
2)Swimming pool is alright
3)Back Yard freestyle sounds “off”
Swimming Pools is a fucking classic, and Backyard Freestyle is dope as fuck. You’re a douche. But yeah Poetic Justice sucks ass
It’s Backseat Freestyle.
in the club?…. really?
Plain and simple..
Niggas who don’t like the song don’t love themselves.
It shows through the immature shit you post in spite of the track.
Man GTFOH with that shit! We don’t have to like that. You love Kendrick more than you do yourself!!! Lol
Don’t make excuses for weak music just cause the guy is talented. Ande and the others mentioned made solid music even if it was a bit more accessible. Kendrick’s new shit just sounds wack. Call it how it is.
I have to admit I love the song now