Kendrick Lamar has done it again. The rapper, who calls himself Candyman, surprised everyone by releasing a five-minute track without any prior notice, promotion, or even a title. He simply uploaded the song to Instagram. This is Lamar’s first track in over seven months that isn’t directly aimed at Drake, though the lyrics are still filled with hints that suggest he hasn’t completely let go of his issues with the 6 God.
The timing of this release is intriguing. Lamar is currently at the center of controversy surrounding the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, where he was announced as the headliner. After winning over nearly all listeners, except Drake fans, Lamar now finds himself caught up in a media storm. It’s unclear whether the song’s release is linked to the Halftime Show news, but the connection feels plausible. Lamar’s tone is somber as he raps over a haunting vocal sample. There’s little in the way of a chorus, as he focuses instead on addressing a variety of unnamed subjects.
Despite Lamar’s history of calling people out by name like in his 2013 track “Control,” which escalated the feud with Drake, it seems deliberate that he avoided being direct in this new song. Instead, he uses a more subtle approach, leaving it to listeners to decipher his targets. There’s plenty to unpack in the lyrics, and while it’s likely some are aimed at Drake, fans might also catch references to Nicki Minaj and other Young Money affiliates. Time to dive in and listen closely.
