With fans holding their breath, K-Dot shares a wild update on his long-awaited next project.
Sometimes saving the best for last can leave a bittersweet taste.
Kendrick Lamar has shared a highly anticipated update regarding his long-awaited follow-up to the Pulitzer Prize-winning album, DAMN.
In a letter posted to the rapper’s new website called oklahoma.com, the Compton MC revealed his as-yet-to-be titled album will be his final album with his longtime label home Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
“I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” Kendrick wrote. “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,” Kendrick added. “Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all. See you soon enough.”
In signing the letter with the name “oklama,” speculation has already begun on whether this is a cryptic hint at the new album, has something to do with his pgLang company, or something even deeper.
Either way, while fans and hip-hop soothsayers predict what it all means, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith shared a note via Instagram calling the album “a victory lap,” adding that K-Dot has the label’s full support for his future endeavors.
The multiple Grammy-winning artist’s last solo album, DAMN., was released to international acclaim in 2017, while in 2018 he anchored the Black Panther soundtrack, which bookended the hugely successful Marvel blockbuster movie.
Outside of that, he hasn’t been seen or heard much from. There was an uncredited appearance on Revenge of the Dreamers III, plus guest feature verses with 2 Chainz, Beyoncé, Raphael Saadiq, and, most recently Busta Rhymes.
With so much happening in this country and around the globe, Lamar’s voice has been sorely called upon by the people who were impacted by songs like “How Much Does a Dollar Cost?” and “Alright” from To Pimp a Butterfly.
This November, Lamar is slated to appear at Las Vegas’ Day N Vegas festival, which is being billed as Lamar’s only live performance of the year. The poster suggested it will be a retrospective of sorts, rather than a chance to debut or tease new music (“From Section.80 to DAMN.,” the poster reads, referencing Lamar’s storied discography.
