Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
by Kendrick Lamar
  • Record Label: pgLang
  • Release Date: May 13, 2022
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 1481 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,343 out of 1481
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 1481
  3. Negative: 96 out of 1481
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  1. Avipilane15
    May 20, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nyejwtjwtnyemeykwyjywkywjwykw6ke6k6wkstkstmagmaynatmatmagmatnatbwtbta acbtabwf… Expand
  2. Josepesteves
    May 14, 2022
    0
    Estou completamente extasiado após ouvir o disco, o Kendrick mais uma vez soube inovar e e entregar uma completa obra de arte.
  3. Victor1985
    May 13, 2022
    10
    We can appreciate a very free, vulnerable and personal Kendrick project. The way he describes and shows each of his own traumas and personal histories on his own way in a very well produced musical sound a very deep project.
  4. aaedenn
    May 13, 2022
    7
    This album is decent. It hits some good high points lyrically and musically. The instrumentalism in some tracks is some of the best I have ever heard and in others, it's very disappointing. I think this is the story of this album, the high points were phenomenal and the low points were just meh. Lyrically, it is a similar story to the instrumentalism, with some solid points (United inThis album is decent. It hits some good high points lyrically and musically. The instrumentalism in some tracks is some of the best I have ever heard and in others, it's very disappointing. I think this is the story of this album, the high points were phenomenal and the low points were just meh. Lyrically, it is a similar story to the instrumentalism, with some solid points (United in Greif, Purple Hearts, and Auntie Diaries), and some weaker points (We Cry Together). Mr. Morale was definitely the stronger half of the album, and I will likely revisit that side, but The Big Steppers was pretty dull for me.… Expand
  5. MetacriticOnur
    May 13, 2022
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  6. vallonicka
    May 13, 2022
    0
    Maybe my copy was bootlegged, but this album is garbage. Noise, lame lyrics, boring, a million light-years away from Lamar's best work to date, "To Pimp A Butterfly". Not sure what the "experts" are hearing to give this a 100, not even close. The hype definitely driving these ratings, because it can't be the music.
  7. CameronEarls
    May 13, 2022
    6
    It's not bad by any means, but it also isn't great. He sacrifices musical value for intricate storytelling and to me it doesn't pay off. The production is uninspired and there isn't a lot of replay value here. The lyricism is top notch however. The problem with this album is that he tried to re-capture the ethos of Good Kid, but is so far removed from that life at this point that itIt's not bad by any means, but it also isn't great. He sacrifices musical value for intricate storytelling and to me it doesn't pay off. The production is uninspired and there isn't a lot of replay value here. The lyricism is top notch however. The problem with this album is that he tried to re-capture the ethos of Good Kid, but is so far removed from that life at this point that it doesn't resonate like it once did, and his modern day problems really aren't as captivating to listen to. Sorry, but a song about accepting your transgender relatives just doesn't make for a particularly riveting or relatable track.… Expand
  8. Marxman00
    May 13, 2022
    5
    An incredibly deep, personal, well-written, and exceptionally well-produced album.

    It's also incredibly boring and has zero energy. While I appreciate the sentiments on mental health, trans rights, and personal matters presented in these lyrics, the beats could cure insomnia and there is none of the catchy fire that Kendrick does so well on previous albums. If this album is a 10,    An incredibly deep, personal, well-written, and exceptionally well-produced album.

    It's also incredibly boring and has zero energy. While I appreciate the sentiments on mental health, trans rights, and personal matters presented in these lyrics, the beats could cure insomnia and there is none of the catchy fire that Kendrick does so well on previous albums.

    If this album is a 10, TPAB and GKMC are a 50.    … Expand
  9. kaioenzo
    May 13, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing lyrics, thats it. The entire Album can't offer more than good relflexions and a great interpersonality with Kendrick, a personal project that can't bring the spark to eveyone.… Expand
  10. Popkidda
    May 13, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don’t like it it’s giving 2014 rap and cheap I honestly prefer Damn more than this album it doesn’t have hits it’s just a lyrical rap album… Expand
  11. SinfulCritic
    May 13, 2022
    3
    This album is a bit of a disappointment. No bangers or anthems like past albums. Most songs are sad and depressing but don’t cover any new ground. We Cry Together is by far the worst song I’ve heard in years. There are a few decent tracks here but overall this is Kendrick’s worst album by far.
  12. Doomak
    May 13, 2022
    5
    Disappointing when you consider we are talking about Kendrick Lamar here and a 5 year hiatus. The production is the highlight of the album and that should tell you a lot about this album. Very bland sound and kind of a snooze fest as a project. I feel you only going to really like this if you are a die hard K Dot stan. Different than his last projects the parts that he´s beingDisappointing when you consider we are talking about Kendrick Lamar here and a 5 year hiatus. The production is the highlight of the album and that should tell you a lot about this album. Very bland sound and kind of a snooze fest as a project. I feel you only going to really like this if you are a die hard K Dot stan. Different than his last projects the parts that he´s being introspective and talking about his feelings will actually make you feel bored, and I think that´s because the different approach he had to the instrumentals and the beats. All in all this is his worst project and this will make you feel tired when listening to it, the parts that he tries go get loose a little bit more sound a bit forced and cringy, especially on Silent Hill, oh god that song is bad (even though Kodak really brings a new fresh approach to the album and sound really refreshing and nice on this track). It sounds like he made this album for himself and his family, you have to be personally attached to him or his family to find this interesting… Expand
  13. Justhere_
    May 13, 2022
    1
    I see what he was trying to do with this album but it was completely off the mark. A lot of topics could of been presented way better and they just weren’t. There were also certain things he shouldn’t have said, no matter why he said them or what point he was trying to get across. It just wasn’t cohesive.
  14. callmedeco
    May 13, 2022
    6
    This is a good album, but it is much less than I expected. If you're a real fan, you'll understand me. It's not even in the top 5 Kendrick's album.
  15. xlNearlx
    May 13, 2022
    1
    to be kendrick lamar if it's too bad , I am quite disappointed, he raps as if he were speaking, it is not innovative, he focuses more on his lyrics than on his production
  16. Tomkk
    May 13, 2022
    1
    I think you should do better ! But obviously you didn’t. I start to wait for the next album.
  17. Aldoilv
    May 13, 2022
    0
    El mejor álbum del mundo, es lo mejor, MOTOMAMI es bueno como este, te enamoras de principio a fin, estos 2 álbumes salvaron el 2022, escuchen la pista 5 la mejor
  18. MerryChef
    May 14, 2022
    3
    After a long wait this album felt under-par for Kendrick. Nothing really stuck out to me other than the more sensitive songs but as songs they're unfortunately not that great. Massive Kendrick fan so really let down by this.
  19. Mathedus
    May 14, 2022
    0
    Trash, the same **** of TPAB kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
  20. Khlap9
    May 14, 2022
    0
    Meh. Big Kendrick fan. I understood what he was rapping about and stuff, but wasn’t really feeling this album. I didn’t think it sounded very melodic.
  21. VukMimovic
    May 14, 2022
    10
    This album sure is different from Kdot's previous albums. While the public opinion has been split about it, i personally really like it. The production is good and Kendrick's performance is amazing as always. The thing that stood out to me the most was the multiple appearances of Kodak Black on the album
  22. YoungNiga
    May 14, 2022
    0
    Yall call this music? Dude isn't even rapping on beat
  23. Drtung
    May 14, 2022
    2
    Kendrick decided to make an art piece, but didn’t realize this is what he was doing all along, by doing his craft of groovy hiphop, r&b, and funk. This is performance of art, not art, and is missing the musicality, energy, and cutting rhymes of past work. It probably feels like you’re sharing in the cleverness by squinting to see the genius here, but tell me if you’re still listening aKendrick decided to make an art piece, but didn’t realize this is what he was doing all along, by doing his craft of groovy hiphop, r&b, and funk. This is performance of art, not art, and is missing the musicality, energy, and cutting rhymes of past work. It probably feels like you’re sharing in the cleverness by squinting to see the genius here, but tell me if you’re still listening a month from now?… Expand
  24. S0uthsid317
    May 14, 2022
    5
    Why do I always seem to be going against the grain of public opinion?...I just don't understand y'all... You call Revival a flop, and then say this is a 10? Is it so hard to form your own opinion without following the hype?.... Don't get me wrong...No hate here. Kendrick will always have my respect. This album isn't trash ... Duh.... course it's not.. it's -Kendrick La-fukin-mar-.. butWhy do I always seem to be going against the grain of public opinion?...I just don't understand y'all... You call Revival a flop, and then say this is a 10? Is it so hard to form your own opinion without following the hype?.... Don't get me wrong...No hate here. Kendrick will always have my respect. This album isn't trash ... Duh.... course it's not.. it's -Kendrick La-fukin-mar-.. but thats why I'm holding it to such a high standard... and in my opinion; this album doesn't live up to his potential... And by giving this a 10, you're definitely not going to drive him to push anything better out.. Good idea people … Expand
  25. Bensaknob
    May 14, 2022
    0
    Shiiiiite. Can't understand a word. Sings too fast. Not a candle on classics like jada ding dong and give that wolf a banana.
  26. jr_sourav10
    May 15, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sourav Mahato is an Indian Entrepreneur. He was born on 20 Nov 2000 in Canning Town. He is the active ceo and founder of "Label By KR", a digital marketing company. The best way to keep up is to learn from and support each other as we continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in marketing.… Expand
  27. Aspxct
    May 16, 2022
    0
    Obviously, it's only been half a week but this album has lived up to my expectations considering it's been hyped up for a year. 10/10.
  28. realdopecomics
    May 15, 2022
    4
    I don’t get all these shill critics giving this project a perfect score. I found myself constantly wanting to skip songs on this album. 8 stand out tracks and the rest were middle of the road or worse.
  29. Mjs2430
    May 15, 2022
    3
    To borrow a line from Kendrick. This is doodoo. Nothing has any replay value. I get that it's introspective and and interesting narrative on the surface, like this would make good content for a long form interview with Kendrick, or a biopic, but c'mon man. **** just isn't very good. You can't tell me you want to play this album front to back on your way to work for the next month
  30. Kendricksucks
    May 15, 2022
    0
    Kendrick is uninteresting, fake deep, and preachy. The themes are shallow and more about generating attention than actually saying something profound. The music itself sounds bad and lacks real depth in its message. His shtick is all for promotion.
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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Album of 2022
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Nov 25, 2024
    90
    His rapping on these subjects is frequently astonishing, with vivid phrasing that he puts across in a vast array of voices and flows — low and gravelly, high and pinched, a bark, a purr, a croon — each illuminating a different point of view in the knotty and intimate scenarios he’s imagining or reliving.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    Jun 20, 2022
    80
    By far the most compelling persona on Mr Morale & The Big Steppers is the Kendrick who is trying to make sense of his own family. ... ["Mother I Sober" is] a tour de force, almost but not quite as revelatory as "DUCKWORTH", a similar family saga off 2017's DAMN. And the best moment is when the strings swell and Lamar's voice changes. [Aug 2022, p.24]
    Read full review
  3. RapReviews.com
    Jun 17, 2022
    90
    Through over 70 minutes of Lamar’s latest, every facet of life for the young Compton rapper is held up to the light. Love, pain, hope, despair, triumph, defeat, it’s all there. ... He’s a rapper who understands rapping is more than just a good beat, a good punchline, or a good vocal tone. He’s blessed to have all of that but he takes the platform he got from it and makes art that will last a lifetime.
    Read full review
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