“The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar’s first song in four years, has generated a lot of buzz on the internet since the release of its music video.
On Sunday, the hip-hop singer released a five-minute music video in which he deepfakes some renowned Black males while critiquing contemporary societal conceptions..
Starting out, Dave Free and Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5” video is rather straightforward. “Yes, I am,” and “Are you?” “oklama” (probably Lamar’s alter ego), depicts “all of us” in a dark setting.
Lamar begins rapping somewhat off-camera in the maroon background: “As I grow older, I realize that perspective is everything. And I may have a different opinion than you do.”
There is a distinct resemblance between Lamar and OJ Simpson, Kanye West and Will Smith, as well as Jussie Smollett, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle in his performance.
Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” appears to be sampled in the second half of the third stanza of the return song, which closes with numerous statements from the perspective of deceased Grammy-nominated Hussle.
The following lyrics are sung by Lamar: “Listen to the sound of my voice as it wafts through the room. My brother and children, I’m now in a better place. My mother and sister are with me in Heaven. I promise to my father and wife that this is Heaven. Friends, don’t forget to be thankful. Don’t forget to put money into my followers. And to the assassin who hastened my demise, I extend my sincere gratitude. I’m sorry, but you should know that your eternal destiny is in peril.”
“South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, as well as their Deep Voodoo deepfake company, are offered “special thanks” in the video’s credits.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar’s much-anticipated fifth studio album, will be released on Friday. “Damn” premiered at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and became history’s first-ever rap album to win a Pulitzer Prize. The rapper’s next album will be his first significant release since 2017.
