Kendrick Lamar shared a music video for his new song The Heart Part 5 on Sunday.
The five-minute-long clip showcased the entertainer rapping in a white t-shirt as his face morphed into Kanye West, Will Smith, OJ Simpson, and more.
The Los Angeles-raised rapper, 34, surprised fans with the fresh music, which he teased with a post that read, ‘I am. All of us.’
New content: Kendrick Lamar shared a music video for his new song The Heart Part 5 on Sunday
The same statement was used to open the video, and it was ‘signed’ with his new alias Oklama.
The artist – full name Kendrick Lamar Duckworth – had previously teased his forthcoming album with a rare Instagram post last month.
It was a photo of a brief press release that alerted his fans that he would be releasing an album on May 13.
He didn’t say when the first single would come out or write a caption for the post.
Unexpected: The five-minute-long clip showcased the entertainer rapping in a white t-shirt as his face morphed into Kanye West, Will Smith, OJ Simpson, and more
The press statement simply said, ‘The following statement was released today by oklama, through his company pgLang at 11:00AM PT in Los Angeles, CA:
‘Album: “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” Release date: 5/13/22.’
It went on to state, ‘All factual information for this release will come directly from this source only.’
The bottom of the note said, ‘Appreciate Your Patience.’
Message: The Los Angeles-raised rapper, 34, surprised fans with the fresh music, which he teased with a post that read, ‘I am. All of us’
Kendrick kept the concept for the video simple as he stood in front of a burgundy backdrop in a short-sleeved white t-shirt for its entirety.
He wrapped a black and white bandana around his neck and wore his hair in a kinky, coiled afro.
The piece of work was directed by the music artist and Dave Free and also shows the hitmaker’s face transitioning to Jussie Smollett, Kobe Bryant, and the late Nipsey Hussle.
Coming soon: On April 18 Kendrick shared a link to his website Oklama that shared the news for the hotly anticipated album after first teasing it in August 2021
On April 18 Kendrick shared a link to his website Oklama that shared the news for the hotly anticipated album after first teasing it in August 2021.
The announcement came after a fan accused the rapper of retiring, writing: ‘Kendrick is officially retired.’
In response, Kendrick quoted the tweet – which was dated February 13 – with the link to the press release declaring his return to the music industry.
As the news broke, fans of the rapper went wild in response, with one writing: ‘He returns, tears in my eyes.’
Creative: Kendrick’s latest visual offering shows his face changing to actor Jussie Smollett’s
He labeled it his final TDE album, short for his longtime label Top Dawg Entertainment.
At the time, the page read: ‘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.’
His imminent fifth album follows his Pulitzer Prize win for his last album DAMN.
Shocking: The rap artist’s face morphed into OJ Simpson during one part of his new music video
Since then he helmed the soundtrack for the 2018 movie Black Panther and headlined Coachella.
Most recently, he performed at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show – alongside Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and surprise guest 50 Cent – when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals.
He won five Grammys in 2018 for his work on DAMN. He has won 14 Grammys in total, including one for Best Rap Performance on the song family ties with his cousin Baby Keem.
RIP: Kendrick paid tribute to fellow LA-born rapper, the late Nipsey Hussle
Statement: The music video opened with the phrase, ‘I am. All of us’