Kendrick Lamar’s hiatus from music has left a gaping hole in the hip hop world, and left many fans pining just for a sliver of new music from him. After Kung Fu Kenny dropped the Pulitzer prize winning album DAMN in 2017 it seems as if Lamar has vanished, reappearing only here and there as a featured artist. If we’re lucky.
Although Kendrick Lamar hasn’t been releasing any new music—a new album to be specific—he hasn’t been completely MIA. Moving from in-front of the camera to behind, Kendrick Lamar used his talents to launch his own creative service agency pgLang in March of 2020.
The mystery company—headed by Kendrick Lamar and music video creator Dave Free—emerged seemingly out of nowhere, bringing Kendrick back into the mainstream in a different way. Instead of breaking back on the scene with another dope album, Lamar presented his creative genius to the world via pgLang’s collaboration with Calvin Klein earlier this year.
The 8 short films that stemmed from the project, written/directed by Free and most likely produced by Lamar, has been the closest thing to anything new from Kendrick. Until Now. Early on August 20 Kendrick Lamar released a statement on Twitter, opening up about what he has been doing since he’s been away from music and his upcoming music plans.
“I spend most of my days with fleeting thoughts. Writing. Listening. And collecting old Beach cruisers, Kendrick Lamar said in the beginning of his statement. “The morning rides keep me on a hill of silence. I go months without a phone. Love, loss, and grief have disturbed my comfort zone, but the glimmers of God speak through my music and family. While the world around me evolves, I reflect on what matters the most. The life in which my words will land next. As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling. There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all. See you soon enough.
-oklama
As soon as I saw this tweet I immediately got hyped, attempting to decode Kendrick’s message to see if I could determine a potential release date. While Kendrick Lamar makes no mention of exactly when he’s going to drop his new album, he did specify that it will be his final one, at least with TDE.
Whether that means that Kendrick’s next project will be his final hip hop album forever, or just his last with the record label he founded TDE is still unclear.
Nevertheless, Kendrick Lamar fans are just ecstatic that Mr. To Pimp A Butterfly has made his way back to the booth. Some fans are already beginning to form theories around the forthcoming album.
“Oklama” is probably gonna be the album name, and knowing Kendrick Lamar he’s probably gonna start investing in pgLang (his own label) since he’s leaving TDE after this album. I’m guessing he just wants full control of his own work, and an artist as big as Kendrick deserves that.” a fan tweeted.
Aside from all of that, I am just excited and ready for some new Kendrick! How about y’all?