Fans didn‰’t exactly get what they were expecting when Kendrick Lamar dropped his first single in nearly two years late this September. The track, simply entitled  “i”, is an upbeat anthem; sampling the Isley Brother‰’s classic “Who‰’s That Lady,” and using a chorus that repeats the phrase “I love myself.‰Û 

Upon first listen these aesthetic choices seem to cater a little too strongly to the radio crowd. It almost comes across as a poppy song; a huge detour from the gritty, street anthems we grew accustomed to in his 2012 classic album good kid, m.A.A.d city. However after further listens, and more in depth attention paid to the lyrics you realize that “i” may have a catchy hook and a beat that‰’s easy on the ears but Kendrick has dumbed nothing down in terms of subject matter and precision. Instead of telling us more about the Kendrick we already know, he sheds new light on himself and his perspective of the world.

Something perhaps unknown to us before was Kendrick‰’s struggles with depression. He raps on the track “I’ve been dealing with depression ever since an adolescent.‰” Kendrick cites that, both in his lyrics and in interviews, his harsh surroundings during his childhood had a lot to do with his feelings of hopelessness. It is because of his personal struggles that Kendrick chose to make this type of record. 

In an interview promoting the single he said “The record feels great and feels good, but it comes from a place of depression.‰” He wrote this song to promote positivity despite your circumstance and his verses come across so urgent and forceful it is easy to hear how important this message is to him. Particularly evidenced by his last lines “Give my story to the children and a lesson they can read/ And the glory to the feeling of the holy unseen/ Seen enough, make a motherfucker scream, ‰I love myself!‰’‰Û 

He essentially urges his listeners to follow his example and embrace who they are. So while “i” does have an upbeat feel and a positive message, there is nothing shallow about this song.

And as for complaints Kendrick received for this switch up in sound, he told one radio DJ in an interview that “I don‰’t want anyone to expect anything from me. It‰’s all about making art.‰” And while fans may reminisce on the sounds of good kid, m.A.A.d city, it is now a story Kendrick has told and he is moving on to the next chapter. It will be interesting to see where “i” fits into the new album, rumored to be out before the end of 2014. 

Also keep an eye out for King Kunta, the confirmed next single to be put out and another clue as to what vision Kendrick will be bringing fans on this next project.