Kendrick Lamar has been on top of the rap game for a decade, and even his leaks get more buzz than a lot of big releases.
Moreover, two new songs from the Compton legend from 2013 just surfaced online, these being “Crooked” and “Burn.” The former is a West Coast banger with chopped organ sampleskins, a G-funk-inspired synth, and sharp snares. On the other hand, “Burn” has some jazzier tendencies, like warm piano chords, dynamic bass, and a simple backbeat. Of course, both are lyrical gems, with Kendrick’s storytelling, hard-hitting phrasing, vivid detail, and shifting flows on full display.
Furthermore, every new leak from the “Hood Politics” MC continues to prove the consistency and interconnectivity of his catalog. However, that’s not even referring to the quality of the track, although his consistency extends to that, as well. Instead, it’s fascinating to see the thematic and narrative throughlines in his career stretching all the way to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. His personal experience lended him a nuanced but still gritty perspective on race, violence, and morality, and it’s one that he’s been perfecting for years.
