Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Mr. Morale

Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

Internal

Multi

148

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Interlude: Sam Dew]

Don't need no conversation^✦

If it ain't 'bout the business,^✦ shut the door now

Bitch, it's a celebration^✦

And if this shit ain't bussin',^✦ what's it for now?

[Bridge: Tanna Leone]

Steppin'^✦ out when the weight lifts

Floatin'^✦ on 'em (Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

Floatin'^✦ on 'em (Float, float, ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

Floatin'^✦ on 'em (Float, ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

Steppin'^✦ out when the weight lifts

Floatin'^✦ on 'em (Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

Floatin'^✦ on 'em (Float, float, ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

Uzi,^✦ your father's in deep meditation^✦

My spirit's awakened, my brain is asleep^✦

I got a new temperature^✦

Sharpenin'^✦ multiple swords in the faith I believe

I think about^✦ Robert Kelly^✦

If he weren't molested, I wonder^✦ if life'd^✦ fail him

I wonder^✦ if Oprah^✦ found closure^✦

The way that she postered the hurt that a woman^✦ carries

My mother^✦ abused^✦ young

Like all of the mothers back where we from

SSI bury^✦ family^✦ members

At the repass, they servin'^✦ Popeyes chicken

What you know about^✦ Black trauma?^✦

F&Ns, kickin'^✦ back is another genre

Tyler^✦ Perry,^✦ the face of a thousand rappers

Using violence^✦ to cover^✦ what really^✦ happen^✦

I know somebody's listenin'^✦

Past life regressions^✦ to know my conditions^✦

It's based^✦ off experience^✦

Karma^✦ for karma,^✦ my habits^✦ insensitive

Watchin'^✦ my cousin^✦ struggle with addiction^✦

Then watchin'^✦ her firstborn make a million^✦

And both of them off the grid for forgiveness

I'm sacrificin' myself to start the healin'^✦ and...

[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]

Shit on my mind and it's heavy^✦

Tell you in pieces^✦ 'cause it's way too heavy^✦

My diamonds, the choker^✦ is heavy^✦

More life to give on demand, are you ready?^✦

Who keep 'em honest like us?

Who in alignment like us?

Who gotta^✦ heal 'em all? Us (Us)

When there's^✦ no one to call us (Us)

[Outro: Tanna Leone, Kendrick Lamar, Eckhart Tolle]

Say, "Hydrate, it's time to heal"

Safe, you're frustrated, I can feel

Huddle up, tie the flag, call the troops, holla^✦ back

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

People get taken^✦ over^✦ by this pain-body (Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

Because this energy^✦ field (Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦ that almost has a life of its own (Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da)^✦

It needs to (Ooh-ooh-ooh,^✦ da-da),^✦ periodically, feed on more unhappiness^✦

Technical Breakdown

7.5

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.49

Production

— Pharrell Williams

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kendrick utilizes a meditative, stream-of-consciousness delivery to bridge the gap between trauma, faith, and systemic cycles, creating a jarring juxtaposition between spiritual growth and the dark realities of abuse.

B+

9.5

Multisyllabic

8.5

Internal Rhymes

6.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Stream-of-consciousnessJuxtapositionEnjambmentThematic convergence

Rhyme Architecture: Kendrick employs a blend of slant rhymes and internal patterns (meditation/awakened/asleep/temperature), moving away from strict end-rhymes to emphasize the gravity of the psychological inquiry.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"brain is asleep"

① A literal state of deep meditation/rest.② A conscious disconnection from external, worldly stressors to prioritize the spirit.

"sharpenin' multiple swords"

① Literal imagery of preparation for battle.② Refining various facets of his spiritual and religious beliefs to deal with internal conflicts.

Subtle exploration of complex generational trauma

Effective use of pauses to heighten the weight of the questions asked

High emotional intelligence in bridging the gap between celebrity culture and personal abuse

Interlude and bridge sections are structurally repetitive

The lyrical density drops significantly compared to the thematic weight of the verse

Relies heavily on listener context for the emotional payoff

Mr. Morale

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

User Scores