After his success in winning his single, "i" from the Grammy's, Kendrick Lamar released his new hit single "The Blacker The Berry" while he is featured to perform during the 2015 Essence Festival this July. He will be performing with Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Kevin Hart, Common, among others at the main stage at Mercedes-Benz Superdome this summer.
Among the performers, Lamar is revealed to be the newest to Essence. He was able to sell a million copies with his 2012 debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city," a concept album that traces his experiences in childhood in Compton, California. That same album was also labeled as the sixth-best album of 2012 Rolling Stone.
His live mash-up of his previous album and Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive" was ranked the most incendiary sets of the 2014 Grammy telecast. However, with the seven nominations, he won nothing.
Meanwhile, Lamar released his new hit single "The Blacker The Berry," which received a lot of protests and criticism due to its song message. However, some said that it created positivity with the black communities to improve themselves while acknowledging the racism history. The singer tried to reach out to these communities by saying what should be done to situations beyond their control. He did this in an aggressive speech to encourage listeners to re-evaluate their African culture and heritage.
The song goes, "I said they treat me like a slave, cah' me black/ Woi, we feel a whole heap of pain, cah' we black / And may a say they put me in chain, cah' we black."
On the other hand, his latest song is currently collaborated with Assassin who has been reported to have been working on his latest single.
According to sources, Lamar's new song went to internet topsy-turvy when it was announced during The Grammy's. Immediately, he was able to take away from the spotlight and just placed his song to his powerful record.
However, with the help of Assassin who made the lyrics sent to him, it resulted fanstastically. He said, "I got the call from Kardinal Offishall saying that Boi-1da was exploring this track and maybe wanted to get a Jamaican perspective." He also revealed that the track sent was only a skeleton, so he has to make the lyrics based from the chorus that he has to interpret.
"From the skeleton that they sent I really just picked up the vibe from what that was. They sent the chorus and I did my interpretation of it. Hearing the finished version, it came together fantastically," he added.
Lamar has several upcoming concerts listed in a row. By February 21 to 22, Saturday, he will be performing in Air + Style 2015 in a Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA while on March 13, Friday until 17, in Pot of Gold Music Festival 2015 at Tempe Beach Park at Tempe, AZ. By May 22 to 25, in Sasquatsch! Music Festival 2015 at Gorge Amphitheatre, in WA; June 11 to 14, Bonnaroo Music Festival 2015 at Great Stage Park at TN; Juls 3 to 5 at the Wireless Festival 2015 at Finsbury Park in London; finally, by July 24 to 26 at Burl's Creek Event Grounds at ON, Canada.
Kendrick Lamar's new album is yet to release but his new hit single "The Blacker The Berry" is expected for his untitled third-album. Rapper seems to have a busy year this time with his tours and some exclusive performances.
Join the Conversation