"Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" stands as the fifth studio album by the esteemed American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on May 13, 2022, through PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. Serving as Lamar's inaugural release under his creative company PGLang, the album also represents his final project in collaboration with both TDE and Aftermath. Notably, the album features narration by Whitney Alford and Eckhart Tolle, alongside an array of guest appearances from acclaimed artists such as Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Sampha, and Ghostface Killah, among others.
Conceived as a concept album, "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" delves into Lamar's personal experiences during his therapy journey. Its introspective lyrics explore a myriad of themes, including childhood trauma, infidelity, and the pitfalls of celebrity culture. With Lamar executive producing under the pseudonym Oklama, the album sees the rapper reuniting with frequent collaborators such as Sounwave, J. Lbs, and DJ Dahi, among others, for its production.
Upon its release, "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" received widespread acclaim from critics, who lauded Lamar's lyricism and the album's thematic depth, despite some criticism regarding its consistency and the controversial appearance of Kodak Black. The album was supported by three successful singles—"N95," "Silent Hill," and "Die Hard"—all of which charted within the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, promotional efforts included headlining performances at prestigious festivals like Glastonbury and Rolling Loud, as well as a guest appearance on the season 48 premiere of Saturday Night Live. Debuting atop the Billboard 200, "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" secured Lamar's fourth number-one album in the United States and earned him the accolade of Best Rap Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, among eight nominations, including Album of the Year. To further promote the album, Lamar embarked on the Big Steppers Tour, spanning Europe, North America, and Oceania.
