Kendrick Lamar Highlights R. Kelly’s Downfall On Latest Album

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, and it’s evident that the now-legendary rapper has a lot on his mind. The rapper tackles on another hot-button topic in his songs “We Cry Together” and “Mr. Morale.” On his new album, Kendrick Lamar discusses R. Kelly’s abuse and fall.

Fans knew they were in for a lot of bars to parse after Lamar said the project would be a double album and released the lyrical whopper “The Heart Part 5.” Throughout the course of the mammoth project, Kendrick discusses a variety of current issues, including Kyrie Irving’s anti-vaccination stance and Drake and Kanye West’s reunion.

In “We Cry Together,” Kendrick is embroiled in a bitter domestic feud with Taylour Paige. Paige yells at one point as the two exchange heated bars. “You the reason Harvey Weinstein had to see his conclusion / You the reason R. Kelly can’t recognize that he’s abusive.” Kendrick responds without pause, “Man, shut the f-ck up, we all know you still playin’ his music.”

The dialogue alludes to R. Kelly’s history of sexual misbehavior, which culminated in him being found guilty of sexual abuse crimes such as sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation. After contracting COVID in jail, the disgraced R&B legend cut relations with his legal team and hired Bill Cosby’s lawyer.

Kendrick again mentions Kelly on “Mr. Morale,” while rapping, “I think about Robert Kelly / If he weren’t molested, I wonder if life’ll fail him.” Lamar is making a reference to the fact that R. Kelly was abused as a child. Both tracks are available on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

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