Kendrick Lamar Hot New Album Release 2014: 'i' Rapper Premieres Powerful Untitled Track on 'The Colbert Report' Ahead of Final Episode [Watch]
Kendrick Lamar came "straight outta Compton" to "The Colbert Report" as the final musical guest on Tuesday night.
"A lot of excitement in the house to have you on," Stephen Colbert, the host, said to the TDE emcee before his performance. "Honored to have you on, but keep in mind that Paul McCartney, R.E.M., Jack White and Nas were the opening acts."
Clad in all-black and rocking his dreads, Lamar gave a world premiere of his "untitled" track. He started off with his storytelling about a snapping girl.
"You know what girl, you crazy," he said.
The rapper then launched into introspective verses about religion, real estate, cash flow and fame.
"Put a price on my talent, I hit the bank and withdraw / Hit the bank and withdraw, hit the bank and withdraw," Kendrick Lamar continued. "Put myself in the rocket ship and I shot for the stars."
K. Dot's powerful, poetry-like song gradually built up with Thundercat on bass, and Anna Wise and Bilal on backup vocals.
"I shall enjoy the fruits of my labor if I get freed today," he rapped. "What the black man say? / Tell 'em we don't die / We multiply before taking a swig of his flask."
Lamar also talked about rejecting fame.
"It's not a bad thing but at the same time, I always want to stay true to who I am," he said. "Kendrick Lamar."
The "Backseat Freestyle" rapper also discussed his Compton roots, Dr. Dre and why he prefers to be called a writer instead of a rapper.
"I pride myself on that," he explained. "It's more storytelling than actually rhyming words together."
The rapper scored two Grammy nominations for self-empowering track "i" off the follow-up to his critically acclaimed "good kid, m.A.A.d city" major label debut album: Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. The "untitled" track is expected to be featured in his highly anticipated second record, likely arriving early next year.
Check out the performance below:
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