SINGLE REVIEW: Kendrick Lamar – “i”

Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Song: “i”
Album: TBA

Nearly two years after the release of his breakout debut album, Kendrick Lamar returned to music headlines this week with the release of a brand new single titled “i.” The Rahki produced track, which also serves as the first song to be released from Kendrick’s upcoming Sophomore effort, samples “That Lady” by The Isley Brothers. We wrote about the song a bit when it debuted, but in case you missed that post you can discover the track below:

We have been kicking around ideas on how to improve our single reviews, and while blasting “i” through our offices yesterday it dawned on us that it might be fun to let everyone express their opinion in one thread. Instead of having one person on staff write 500-1000 words about Kendrick’s return we could all share an opinion and hopefully spark a bit of conversation with readers along the way:


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Kendrick proved with ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city‘ that he could deliver in-depth rap that appealed as much to the streets as the mainstream. “i” may seem like a more radio friendly offering at first, but on repeat listens it’s clear Kendrick is being more honest with audiences than ever before. He’s journeyed further in life, and now he’s ready to share memories and lessons learned with audiences. I’m excited for more, and I hope at the very least this song leads more young people to check out the awesome talent of The Isley Brothers. – James Shotwell, Founder / Co-Owner / Editor


There’s very few Kendrick Lamar tracks I can get into, honestly, and his latest might be my least favorite yet. I fully respect the choice to do something entirely unexpected, but before anything, I can just never get past his vocals. On top of that, there’s something obnoxiously repetitive about “i,” and I get this weird Rob Thomas/Santana vibe from the Isley Brothers sample for some reason which doesn’t sit well with me either. The change in flow towards the end picks things up a bit but it’s not nearly enough to make “I” memorable to me. – Brian Lion, Co-Owner / Editor / Feature Writer


Kendrick Lamar has proven his sonic versatility as an artist with the ability to succeed at creating hyped up bangers (“M.A.A.D City”), semi-slow jams (“Poetic Justice”), and emotionally baring tracks that equate to audible introspection (“Swimming Pools”). Thus, it’s no surprise K.Dot is continuing to further expand his catalog with “i,” an upbeat cut whose Isley Brothers sampling beat merges organic rock instrumentals with the rapper’s ever-personable telling of struggles at the street level. Moving through the track with an upbeat flow and celebratory chorus that screams “I love myself,” the newest addition of stylistic offerings to Kendrick’s pool of work is infectiously easy on the ears even with the deeper issues at play lyrically, thus ensuring plenty of plays over the coming weeks while our collective breath is held in hopes of a new album announcement. – Michael Giegerich, News & Review Writer


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Starting with a strange monologue, Kendrick Lamar’s “i” is a fast-moving funk-based track that proudly announces Lamar’s return to the modern hip-hop scene. The song is a blatant change of tone from Lamar’s most recent release good kid, m.A.A.d city, but shouldn’t be regarded as anything but a positive sign for the album to come. They say the mark of a good artist is someone who can successfully reinvent himself between albums; something it appears Kendrick Lamar is doing quite well. If I have one issue with the song, it’s the car horns towards the end. Those might be a bit of nuisance when I’m playing “i” during my morning commute. – Scott Murray, News & Review Writer


Of the two Compton-based hip-hop game changers, Kendrick Lamar has certainly held most of the spotlight. Alternatively, YG’s My Krazy Life has garnered much more of my attention. Although I’ve never been a Lamar obsessor, I must admit that watching him perform at Firefly 2013 was a fantastic experience. Just one year later, there’s no way he’d be performing while the sun is still up.

“Brother Kendrick Lamar’s” newest track, “i” seems to incorporate various elements of the non-traditional experimentation that Kendrick has become known for. His usage of the Isley Brothers “That Lady,” is unique in itself. The only problem is, every time I hear that riff I now picture Veronica Corningstone entering the newsroom in Anchorman. The incorporation of keys and guitar on-top of the 1964 sample works nicely with the production. My only complaint is the mild integration of his alien voice-maniuplation (3:34), which is similar to what was used on “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” – Derek Scancarelli, UTG TV / Feature Writer


After loving his debut record good kid m.a.a.d. city in the sense that it was a legitimate rap record with ’90s-esque rap samples and storytelling lyrics, hearing “i” throws all that out in an instant. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the song a lot for its catchiness and the unique style of vocal delivery this time around in that he is more lively, but it’s a radio-driven track that will be played throughout the country on every pop/hip-hop station you can think of because in the end, Kendrick is the biggest rapper in the game right now. From the weird monologue in the beginning to the somewhat radical outro, the song will be engrained into every regular listener’s mind for the next couple months. You may love or hate it but Kendrick is here to stay. – Ryan Kappy, News & Review Writer


Kendrick followed up his harrowing hit album with a light, happy, quick-stepping track that sounds like it’s on a sunny damn beach, not in the m.A.A.d. City’s streets. I’m glad for Kendrick though – he’s doing well, and he reached this point on the strength of a damn fine album. Why shouldn’t he feel good? Chill on, Kendrick.

This was also a smart single choice, at least in the business sense. Kudos to the man and his marketing team. It’s a savvy hype track, a brag that doesn’t throw shots, a warm-hearted song telling us all to love ourselves (opened by a man praising Kendrick like he’s the brand new Buddha – not sure that makes it into the radio edit). More importantly, this is as radio-friendly as Kendrick Lamar gets. Is this what happens when he hears “Happy” everywhere? Are we going to see commercials with people dancing to “i” around yellow four-door Fiats, Diddy getting paid to smh at guys in Hanes tees and dark wash denim? How did this get released at the END of summer? – Tyler Hanan, News & Review Writer


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Do you agree with us? Comment below and leave us your thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s latest!

James Shotwell
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4 Responses to “SINGLE REVIEW: Kendrick Lamar – “i””

  1. Kgotso Siworks says:

    Kendrik is KING. Him loosing a grammy will explain why this “i” song is the 1st single. This nigga is here to stay. Watch the space. This album is going to set new records in where gansta rap and hip-hop in general is at nwdays. He is bringing back the hiphop u love and making it 2014 n the future. Plz blieve it, don’t sleep on this nigga, YOU WILL BE SORRY

  2. HIIBeats says:

    i get the cover from the single i for ima in the middle because he naver gang banged but he is around people that had gang banged i feel it

  3. Formlen says:

    just before I saw the bank draft which said $8016, I didn’t believe …that…my friends brother could realey making money parttime from there

    pretty old laptop.. there uncles cousin has done this for less than 18 months and by now repaid the dept on their house and bought a brand new Mercedes. we looked here,… http://••►► click Here…

  4. Rusty Kuntz says:

    First Ab-Soul these days and now this. WTF is going on over there at TDE? They pockets must be too thick with money.