What a rollercoaster of a track. A blockbuster anthem for a blockbuster film, King’s Dead came from the Black Panther soundtrack as it’s second single, and boasts a monstrous line-up that includes Mike Will Made-It and Teddy Walton with production credits.
The song is a great advert for each artist, and the song feels like it is comprised of distinct chapters. There is no question as to when a new artist is being introduced to the song. Jay Rock brings a ferocity to an already tenacious beat after Kendrick opens with the chorus, only for Future to deliver the most notable verse of the track. It will almost certainly be the highest-pitched verse of his career, and the most memorable moment of the song was nearly left off it. Future raps “La di da di da, slob on me knob” and admitted in a recent interview he would have omitted the voice-breaking falsetto had Kendrick not convinced him otherwise.
Kendrick himself is his usual impeccable self, driving the song with his earworm of a chorus and puts the song into top gear with his verse. In contrast, James Blake’s ghostly, ethereal vocals add a new facet to make this song an experience, a memorable moment. And it’s from a film soundtrack. A DISNEY film soundtrack. Such is the brilliance of Kendrick in, not only rapping and lyricism, but in curating a masterpiece. Lamar did good with this one.
Spotify Playlist Link: https://spoti.fi/2CKuVex
A Song A Day 