Music Single Review: "N95" By Kendrick Lamar [Blazin’! - 5 boomboxes]

Music Single Review: "N95" By Kendrick Lamar

5 Boomboxes

"Kendrick Lamar is far from a prophet, however. He's a poet, and this is where his separation from most rappers commences."

Single from album “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” 

Released: May 13, 2022

Length: 3:41

Genre: Hip Hop Conscious Hip hop

Written by: Kendrick Duckworth , Sam Dew, Matthew Samuels, Mark Spears, Jahaan Sweet, Hykeem Carter

Produced by: Boi-1da, Sounwave, Sweet, Baby Keem

    It is five years later, but Kendrick Lamar is back! And with fire straight from Prometheus' hands! If one thing can be taken from listening to Kendrick Lamar's 2022 album "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers," particularly "N95," it is that patience is a virtue and a blessing. "N95" seems to be the epitome and culmination of Kendrick's hard work over the years, from "Good Kid, Madd City" to "Damn!" The track reminds listeners through one of his frequent ad-libs in "N95" that "this shit hard:" that being a leader in the music game is hard, that it takes time, but in classical Kendrick fashion, his double meaning also alludes to the song being "hard," blazin', a track destined for popularity  (Oh! Is he right!) 

    Kendrick Lamar is far from a prophet, however. He's a poet, and this is where his separation from most rappers commences. His lyrics are honest, thoughtful, pungent, and filled with pathos. Kendrick is a no-holds-bars musician; he says what's in his mind and heart, unfiltered and with integrity. "Bitch, you ugly as fuck," is a straight-forward example of this: it can refer to Mr. Morale (Kendrick) looking at himself in the mirror when he shreds off all of societal "bullshit" — "Take off the logic, that if I'm rich, I'm rare; take off the Chanel; take off the Dolce; take off the Birkin Bag; take all the designer bullshit off, and what do you have?" — or it can be us, the listeners after we do the same as him. 

    Kendrick's unselfish perspective of the world within and without him makes him such a phenomenal artist: his music is directed not only at his plights but also at those of his listeners. On "N95," Kendrick's versatility is also on display. His flow switches up, which keeps the track vibrant and entertaining, but it also softens the uninhibited lyrics so that the listeners are likely to repeat the track, catching new meanings to his lines each time. "N95" and its music video are intelligent pieces of artwork with impeccable, direct, and multifaceted productions. And "N95" instrumental bumps, keeping a steady groove that will cause the listeners to jive to the track multiple times, even with its in-your-face lyrics. "N95" is an instant classic, a track on a level of its own — much like Kendrick Lamar. "This shit hard!" 

Liked this music review on the hip-hop track, "N95" by Kendrick Lamar? Check out something similar with “Churchill Down” By Jack Harlow Ft. Drake [Blazin’! - 5 boomboxes].

Bolivar T. Caceres is a Bronx-based artist and writer. His poems appear on ShortEdition and Ariel Chart. He is also the author of the chapbook Outside My Garret Window, published in 2020. He currently writes for the quarterly film blog Film Studies 401 and the news blog New York Positivity. Connect with him on social media @BolivarTCaceres and at www.BtcArt.co.

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