The album MMATBS or normally known as Mr Morale and the Big Steppers is one of Kendrick Lamar's biggest and most emotional albums.
It had a lot of talk at the time because of just how long Kendrick Lamar had been silent before the release of the album.
5 years of silence and suddenly dropping 18 songs in one album is enough to get anybody talking, yet in the album that's an hour and eighteen minutes long, the one song that someone can say stands out the most, is Count Me Out.
This song, is probably the best, or maybe top 3 of Kendrick Lamar's songs in its emotional depth, lyrical accuracy and theme of the album.
It's the firsst song of the second disc of the album, hence the beginning of the second part.
This album is a full on emotional rollercoaster, with the first disc talking about Kendrick Lamar and his struggles when growing up, struggles with things he can't control as a child; being his parents and environment.
This second disc, is about Kendrick confronting those struggles as an adult; recognizing them, trying to approach and control them.
We then start with the most iconic verse in Kendrick Lamar discography.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcO_HJwzK8B/?vrfl=MWpuZG5kcThqaG94Yw==
In more ways than one this verse gives us a full breakdown of the song, it is one of the most psychologically interesting verses of the full album.
A verse about guilt, fame, identity, emotional exhaustion and the ability to choose yourself oger and over again.
The verse opens with redemption, guilt and accountability where Kendrick is talking about something he wants to accomplish but hasn't figured out how to go about that yet.
Him wanting to be forgiven yet still accepting the blame of everything.
Realizing that the fame would shine light on the shame and then make him a target for the media and the public.
It makes you question fame to, realizing that what every person feels or thinks about you doesn't matter as long as you feel differently about yourself.
A distinction between public validation and your own personal peace.
Then we go straight to taking responsibility.
What's fair when the hearts and the words don't reach?"
This moment is particularly strong for reflections cause then you'd think of the limits of communication and further down of financial success.
There are times when one can't fully communicate his or her feelings and when money can't buy back time or mend some certain bridges.
Some consequences can't be compensated for.
The verse goes on and on with more thoughtful moments, a certain rant or ramble that just holds the mind of the viewer; keeps you in a brooding mood.
The song is something of a therapy session as portrayed in the first video above and it's one I listen to repeatedly. Actually the first verse stays rent free in my head.
Most times I do feel like I'm falling, most times I do count myself out, then I sing the verse and I reach the last line.
If I didn't learn to love myself, forgive myself a hundred times, dawg.
The entire song is still peak though, and I love the outro too.
You can listen to it here...