A staple in his catalog since 2010, “The Heart” is a series of one-off releases in which Kendrick Lamar bares his soul in a seemingly endless string of bars that give insights into his life and his mission to attain immortality within Hip-Hop culture. Over the years, each new edition in the series has become indicative of the rapper’s plans to release his next body of work, whether it be a mixtape, such as Overly Dedicated, or albums like good kid, m.A.A.d. city and DAMN. This has resulted in “The Heart” becoming one of the more popular song series in recent memory, with each drop feeling like a cultural event.
When reports of Kendrick’s forthcoming 2022 LP first surfaced, the celebration of its impending release was tepid, as Lamar is notorious for being mum on details regarding his rollouts, preferring to show rather than tell. Even when confirmation came from the reclusive artist himself that his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was due for arrival, fans were still skeptical, as there remained one traditional piece of the puzzle: the unveiling of a new edition of “The Heart.”
So, when Lamar released “The Heart Part 5” this past Sunday (May 8), it was instantly apparent that he was officially back out of hibernation. Accompanied by an enthralling music video, “The Heart Part 5” provided the evidence needed for listeners to rest assured that we’ll be able to enjoy his latest collection sooner rather than later. And with a May 13 release date for Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers set in stone, all signs point to summer 2022 as K. Dot season.
Given their continued impact and significance to Kendrick Lamar’s journey as an artist, we broke down each song in the rapper’s “The Heart” series as time-markers annotating his storied career.
“The Heart Part 1” – April 2010
Months after unleashing the Kendrick Lamar EP, his first musical project under his government name, the artist formerly known as K.Dot dropped this freestyle, the first installment in what would become “The Heart” series.
Released in April 2010, the track finds Lamar attacking the instrumental to Mos Def’s “Umi Says” with a passion and ferocity born out of his determination to reach rap supremacy. From lamenting his desire to cast a positive light on his city to recalling an early encounter with then-future collaborator J. Cole, the Compton native’s rhyme spill captures him at his primitive stage as an artist, displaying the raw tools of the trade that would ultimately stamp him as a generational great.
“The Heart Part 2” – September 2010
The release of Lamar’s 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated marked a major turning point in his popularity and stature, as it was the first project of his to fully capture the attention of the grassroots Hip-Hop community. And upon pressing play, listeners were greeted with the opening salvo “The Heart Part 2,” a moment that converted millions of rap fans into disciples of the Compton MC’s epic stream-of-consciousness flow, preceded by one of the more impactful introductory interludes of the century.
Rhyming over an instrumental loop of The Roots’ “A Peace of Light,” Kendrick contemplates his place within the plane of existence that is Compton’s jungle. Listing off his goals for financial freedom and lyrical brilliance to the brink of being breathless, with “The Heart Part 2,” Lamar put the world on notice that the emergence of rap’s next great orator was being realized in real-time.
“The Heart Part 3 (Will You Let It Die?)” – October 2012
Equating your arrival with the second coming of a cultural deity is a bold way to open a song. Yet, Kendrick Lamar did just that on “The Heart Part 3 (Will You Let It Die?).” Recorded mere days before the release of Lamar’s major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, “Part 3” is produced by Tae Beast, with a sample of “Mother’s Theme (Mama)” by Willie Hutch providing the backdrop for the rapper’s recollection of the road traveled and declaration of wins to come.
Documenting the struggles endured by him and his TDE brethren throughout their quest for financial security and national recognition, Lamar is joined by two-thirds of Black Hippy, as Jay Rock and Ab-Soul both lay quick-strike couplets, adding an additional element of surprise that bolsters this already explosive selection.
Encapsulating everything we’ve come to know and love about the series, from Lamar’s thoughtful observations to the unpredictable wrinkles each edition brings, “The Heart Part 3” is its greatest installment thus far and continues to evoke emotions and goosebumps years later.
“The Heart Part 4” – March 2017
Having secured an eight-figure fortune and the widespread acclaim afforded to a modern rap savior, in 2017, the good kid from the m.A.A.d. city who had enough game to pimp the butterfly looked to score a trifecta with his third studio album, DAMN. However, prior to its release, Lamar revived his popular yet dormant “The Heart” series with a fourth edition, the first in nearly five years.
Over a medley of beats produced by Axl Folie, The Alchemist, Syk Sense, and DJ Dahi, Kendrick surveys the rap landscape from his vantage point at the top of the game, affirming himself as the pound-for-pound best MC and addressing elephants in the room while taking on all competitors.
Less introspective and lacking the vulnerability of prior installments, “The Heart Part 4” is among Kendrick’s more cocksure moments on wax to date and remains a riveting listen.
“The Heart Part 5” – May 2022
The state of the culture is examined by Lamar in “The Heart Part 5,” as he paints a vivid yet bleak picture of the negative effects apathy and the pursuit of clout have had on society. Produced by Beach Noise, and powered by a sample of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” the song reaches a tipping point when K.Dot channels the spirit of late rapper and former collaborator Nipsey Hussle in the closeout verse, speaking through to the West Coast legend’s inner circle as well as his alleged murderer, granting the latter the gift of forgiveness.
In terms of its grand instrumentation and intricate yet subtle components, “The Heart Part 5” may be the most sonically rich inclusion in the series to date and is exemplary of Kendrick Lamar‘s continued evolution as a creative and visionary. The track feels like the perfect tone-setter for the Hip-Hop event that will surely be Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.
“heart pt. 6” – November 2024
Having slayed one of the most formidable lyricists and hitmakers in the history of rap, Kendrick Lamar‘s career is at a zenith upon the release of his sixth studio album GNX.
With his GRAMMY nominations for Record and Song of the Year off the strength of a diss record, being chosen to headline a Super Bowl Halftime Show, and a world tour on the horizon, the pastures are as green as ever for the West Coast savior.
In the midst of his ongoing victory lap, Kendrick took time to reflect on his journey on the sixth installment of “The Heart,” a recurring series in which the rapper speaks from the depths of his soul. The latest volume finds K.Dot recalling his humble beginnings playing the background to TDE‘s initial star, Jay Rock, and being wowed by former labelmate Ab-Soul‘s rap prowess.
The introspective moment includes insights into the foundation of TDE’s core and how TDE supergroup Black Hippy failed to capitalize on their potential due to his own creative pursuits and ambitions.
Yet, the vibe and sentiment of the track is one of fondness and brotherly love, as Kendrick maneuvers atop a sample of SWV’s 1996 hit, “Use Your Heart,” while opening up his own.
