Home · Songs · Kendrick Lamar · HUMBLE.
Kendrick Lamar · 0
Details
TonalidadG#
Compás4/4
Tempo150 BPM
Duración2:57
ISRCUSUM71703085
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The story behind
The song HUMBLE., released on March 30, 2017, was presented as the first single from DAMN., the fourth studio album by Kendrick Lamar. Since its appearance, it marked a turning point, not only for its distinctive sound but also for the message it conveyed. The production, handled by Mike WiLL Made-It and Asheton Hogan, moves away from the complex jazz and funk textures that characterized his previous work, To Pimp a Butterfly. Instead, HUMBLE. relies on a powerful piano and a deep 808 bassline, creating a minimalist yet impactful sonic foundation, described by some as close to the grime style. The lyrics, written by Kendrick Lamar along with the producers, are a direct call for humility, a challenge to both listeners and other artists. The music video, co-directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies, complements this idea with visuals that fuse the religious and the urban, featuring Lamar dressed as a priest or recreating biblical scenes, which creates an interesting tension with the central concept of the chorus.
The genesis of HUMBLE. took a particular turn. The beat was initially conceived by Mike WiLL Made-It with the intention of collaborating with Gucci Mane. However, the track ended up in the hands of Kendrick Lamar, who recorded it. There was a moment when it was considered for inclusion on Ransom 2, Mike WiLL Made-It's debut album, but it was ultimately decided to reserve it for DAMN.. This decision proved to be the right one, as HUMBLE. became a resounding success. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Lamar's second single to achieve this, after his collaboration on Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood". Furthermore, it was the first song to be recorded for DAMN.. The song received four nominations at the Grammy Awards, taking home three accolades: Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. It was recognized as the most outstanding rap song of 2017 in the United States and remained in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks, selling over a million digital copies, a milestone for a rap song that year.
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