Kendrick Lamar has released his long-awaited new album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers and, as ever with the Compton rapper, there is a lot to unpack. Much of the intrigue around an album of this stature is just who Lamar would choose to work with on the follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize–winning 2017 full-length Damn. The album arrived on Friday, May 13, and has been dubbed his final album for Top Dawg Entertainment. As if to pave the way for the future, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers includes appearances from a number of artists affiliated with his new “multi-lingual, at service company” pgLang, including Baby Keem and Tanna Leone.
Elsewhere, Portishead’s Beth Gibbons appears on "Mother I Sober" while Sampha and Summer Walker contribute vocals to "Father Time" and "Purple Hearts," respectively. Taylour Paige, perhaps best known as an actor in the A24 movie Zola, appears on "We Cry Together." That song also features narration from Lamar's partner Whitney Alford and a notable sample of Florence + The Machine's "June."
Lamar invites fellow rappers onto the album, too, with Ghostface Killah and Kodak Black both contributing, the latter on multiple tracks. Production across the 18-track album comes from Pharrell, Duval Timothy, the Alchemist, Beach Noise, Boi-1da, Sounwave, Dahi, FNZ, J.LBS, Bekon, and many more.
See below for an in-depth breakdown of the Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers credits.
"United in Grief"
Producer: Beach Noise, Duval Timothy, J.LBS, OKLAMA, Sounwave, Tim Maxey
Composer: Duval Timothy, J. Pounds, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matt Schaeffer, Sam Drew, Tim Maxey
Lyricist: Duval Timothy, J. Pounds, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matt Schaeffer, Sam Drew, Tim Maxey
Additional Producer: Beach Noise, Tim Maxey
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Sedrick Moore II
Engineer: Jonathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Whitney Alford
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., SEdrick Moore II, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
"N95"
Producer: Boi-1da, Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Sweet, Sounwave
Composer: Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Samuels, Sam Drew
Lyricist: Hykeem Carter, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Samuels, Sam Drew
Additional Producer: Hykeem Carter
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Sedrick Moore II
Engineer: Matt Schaeffer
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Sedrick Moore II, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
"Worldwide Steppers"
Producer: J.LBS, Sounwave, Tae Beast
Composer: Donte Lamar Perkins, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, P. Darnell, Sam Dw, V. Crane
Lyricist: Donte Lamar Perkins, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, P. Darnell, Sam Dw, V. Crane
Additional Producer: J.LBS
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Bill K. Kapri
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Andrew Vilchis, Johnathan Turner, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
"Die Hard" featuring Blxst & Amanda Reifer
Producer: Dahi, FNZ, Hykeem Carter, J.LBS, Sounwave
Composer: Amanda Reifer, D. Natche, Hykeem Carter, Isaac John De Boni, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. SMITH, M. Spears, Matthew Burdette, Michael John Mulé, R. SMITH, Sam Dew, Thundercat, Victor Ekpo
Lyricist: Amanda Reifer, D. Natche, Hykeem Carter, Isaac John De Boni, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. SMITH, M. Spears, Matthew Burdette, Michael John Mulé, R. SMITH, Sam Dew, Thundercat, Victor Ekpo
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Amanda Reifer, Blxst, Grandmaster Vic, Hykeem Carter, Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Wesley Seidman
Bass: Thundercat
Co-producer: FNZ
Drums: Hykeem Carter
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
"Father Time" featuring Sampha
Producer: Beach Noise, Bekon, Dahi, Duval Timothy, Sounwave, Victor Ekpo
Composer: D. Natche, Daniel Tannenbaum, Duval Timothy, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, K. Jones, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Schaeffer, Sampha Sisay, Victor Ekpo
Lyricist: D. Natche, Daniel Tannenbaum, Duval Timothy, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, K. Jones, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Schaeffer, Sampha Sisay, Victor Ekpo
Additional Producer: Duval Timothy, Victor Ekpo
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguez for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” Morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Bekon, Dahi, Kendrick Lamar, Sampha, Sounwave
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Brandon Wood, Kaushlesh “Gary” Purohit, Rob Bisel, Sedrick Moore II, Tristan Bott
Bass: Bekon
Drums: Sounwave
Engineer: Charles Brown Jr., James Hunt, Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer
Featured Artist: Sampha
Keyboards: Bekon
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Whitney Alford
Programming: Dahi
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Brandon Wood, Charles Ray Brown Jr., James Hunt, Johnathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Kauslesh “Gary” Purohit, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Rob Bisel, Sedrick Moore II, Trey Station, Tristan Bott, Zach Pereyra
Vocalist: Sampha
"Rich (Interlude)"
Producer: Duval Timothy
Composer/Lyricist: Bill K. Kapri, Duval Timothy, Sam Dew
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Engineer: Derek Garcia, Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Erwing Olivares
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Derek Garcia, Erwing Olivares, Johnathan Turner, Manny Marroquin, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
"Rich Spirit"
Producer: Dahi, Sounwave, franO
Composer: A. Thomas, D Dennis, D. Natche, Frano Huette, G. Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, M. Hall, M. Spears, Sam Dew
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Dahi, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew, Sounwave, franO
Assistant Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Background Vocalist: Sam Dew
Bass: Dahi
Drums: Sounwave
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Keyboards: franO
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Percussion: Dahi
Programming: Dahi, franO
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, Johnathan Turner, Manny Marroquin, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
"We Cry Together" featuring Taylour Paige
Producer: Bekon, J.LBS, The Alchemist
Composer/Lyricist: Daniel Alan Maman, Daniel Tannenbaum, F. Welch, G. Peacock, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar
Additional Producer: Bekon
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Brandon Blatz, Curtis “Sircuit” Bye
Associate Performer: Kendrick Lamar, Taylour Paige
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Brandon Wood, Logan Haynes, Tristan Bott
Co-producer: J.LBS
Engineer: Matt Schaeffer
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixser: Cyrus “NOIS” Taghipour, Derek “MixsedByAli” Ali
Narrator: Whitney Alford
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Brandon Blatz, Brandon Wood, Curtis “Sircuit” Bye, Cyrus “NOIS” Taghipour, Derek “MixsedByAli” Ali, Johnathan Turner, Logan Haynes, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Tristan Bott
Vocalist: Taylour Paige
"Purple Hearts" featuring Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah
Producer: Beach Noise, DJ Khalil, J.LBS, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Anthony Dixon, Dennis COles, J. Pounds, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, M. Spears, Matthew Schaeffer, Sam Dew, Summer Walker
Additional Producer: Beach Noise, J.LBS
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar, Summer Walker
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Evan Fulcher
Engineer: David “Dos Dias” Bishop, Johnny Kosich
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Jonathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Raymond J Scavo III
Studio Personnel: Andrew Boyd, Anthony Vilchis, David “Dos Dias” Bishop, Evan Fulcher, Jonathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Manny Marroquin, Matt Schaeffer, Michelle Mancini, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Raymond J Scavo III, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
"Count Me Out"
Producer: Dahi, J.LBS, Oklama, Sounwave, Tim Maxey
Composer: D. Natche, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sam Dew
Additional Producer: Tim Maxey
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: D. Natche, Dahi, Danny McKinnon, Denis Sotoudmire, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Background Vocalist: D. Natche
Bass: Danny McKinnon, J. Pounds
Choir: Anneston Pisayavong, Brenton Calvin Lockett, Bryce Xavier, Immryr LoBasso Spencer, Jaheen King Tombs, Sydney Bourne, Paris Burton
Choir Arranger: Denise Stoudmire
Drums: Dahi
Guitar: Danny McKinnon
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Eckhart Tolle
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
"Crown"
Producer: Duval Timothy
Composer/Lyricist: Duval Timothy, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Johnny Morgan
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
"Silent Hill" featuring Kodak Black
Producer: Beach Noise, Boi-1da, Jaheen Sweet, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Beach Noise (Matthew, Johnny, Jake), Bill K. Kapri, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Matthew Samuels
Additional Producer: Beach Noise
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar, Kodak Black
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Wesley Seidman
Engineer: Derek Garcia, Johnathan Turner, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar, Kodak Black
"Savior - Interlude"
Producer: J.LBS, Oklama, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Hykeem Carter, J. Pounds, M. Spears, Oklama
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Eckhart Tolle
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
"Savior" featuring Baby Keem, Sam Dew
Producer: Cardo, J.LBS, Mario Luciano, Oklama, Rascal, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Daniel Tannenbaum, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Mario Luciano, Rascal, Ronald LaTour, Sam Dew, Tommy Paxton-Beesley
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Baby KEem, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew
Co-Producer: Mario Luciano, Rascal
Engineer: Andrew Boyd, James Hunt, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Vocalist: Sam Dew
"Auntie Diaries"
Producer: Beach Noise, Bekon, Bekon & the Donuts, Craig Balmoris, Sergiu Gherman, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Composer/Lyricist: Craig Balmoris, Daniel Krieger, Daniel Tannenbaum, Homer Steinweiss, Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, Matt Schaeffer, Sergiu Gherman, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Additional Producer: Beach Noise
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Daniel Krieger, Daniel Tannenbaum, Homer Steinweiss, Kendrick Lamar
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd, Hannah Kacmarsky, Thomas Warren, Zach Acosta
Background Vocalist: Daniel Tannenbaum
Drums: Homer Steinweiss
Engineer: Chad Gordon, James Hunt, Jonathan Turner, Johnny Kosich, Matt Anthony, Matt Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Guitar: Daniel Krieger
Keyboards: Daniel Tannenbaum
Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Strings: Daniel Tannenbaum
Synthesizer: Daniel Tannenbaum
"Mr. Morale" featuring Tanna Leone
Producer: Pharrell Williams
Composer/Lyricist: Avante Santana, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Sam Dew
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Kendrick Lamar, Mike Larson
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Eckhart Tolle
Programming: Mike Larson
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Recording Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
"Mother I Sober" featuring Beth Gibbons of Portishead
Producer: Bekon, J.LBS, Sounwave
Composer/Lyricist: Beth Gibbons, Daniel Tannenbaum, J. Pounds, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sam Dew, Thundercat
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Asst. Recording Engineer: Andrew Boyd
Bass: Thundercat
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matthew Schaeffer, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Featured Artist: Beth Gibbons
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Strings: Grandmaster Vic
Vocalist: Beth Gibbons
"Mirror"
Producer: Bekon, Craig Balmoris, Dahi, Sergiu Gherman, Sounwave, Tim Maxey, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Composer: Bekon, Craig Balmoris, D. Natche, Daniel Krieger, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sergiu Gherman, Stuart Johnson, Tim Maxey, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Lyricist: Bekon, Craig Balmoris, D. Natche, Daniel Krieger, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Sergiu Gherman, Stuart Johnson, Tim Maxey, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Additional Producer: Tim Maxey
A&R: Brock Korsan, Kevin Rodriguex for pgLang
A&R Coordinator: Juanita “Niya” morton for pgLang
Assistant Mixer: Anthony Vilchis, Trey Station, Zach Pereyra
Associated Performer: Bekon, Dahi, Daniel Krieger, Kendrick Lamar, Sounwave, Stuart Johnson
Assistant Recording Engineer: Johnny Morgan, Wesley seidman
Background Vocalist: Bekon
Bass: Bekon
Drums: Dahi, Sounwave
Engineer: Johnathan Turner, Matt Anthony, Matt Schaeffer
Guitar: Daniel Krieger
Keyboards: Bekon
Mixer: Manny Marroquin
Narrator: Bill K. Kapri
Percussion: Bekon, Stuart Johnson
Programming: Bekon, Dahi, Sounwave
Rap Vocalist: Kendrick Lamar
Strings: Bekon
