The National Times - New Kendrick Lamar music expected May 13

New Kendrick Lamar music expected May 13


New Kendrick Lamar music expected May 13
New Kendrick Lamar music expected May 13 / Photo: © AFP/File

Kendrick Lamar on Monday seemingly announced his fifth studio album will come out next month, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper's first full-length project since 2017's acclaimed "DAMN."

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The superstar cryptically tweeted a link to his announcement in response to another user's missive that "Kendrick Lamar is officially retired."

Lamar, 34, linked to his website that's a blank page with two folders, one of which opened to a fax-esque statement saying that an album entitled "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers" would come out May 13.

The prolific artist has turned to verse to tackle race relations and his own internal searching set to music that incorporates jazz and spoken word.

In honoring him with a Pulitzer, the award's board said Lamar's "DAMN." was "unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life."

Following that historic prize he curated and contributed a number of songs to the soundtrack for the film "Black Panther," including his Grammy and Oscar-nominated collaboration with SZA, "All The Stars."

He has featured on songs since then, including on his cousin Baby Keem's latest album.

There have been a number of false alarms of new music from the decorated artist -- but Monday's announcement seemed to be the most concrete indication of the rapper's plans yet.

"All factual information for this release will come directly from this source only," read the statement he linked to.

N.Johns--TNT

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