Kendrick Lamar's Mood Music

Lamar calls his music "moody," which is putting it mildly. He switches personas mid-song, growling and barking and choking on his words, growing hysterical one moment before flattening his voice to almost comical effect. His songs can be as exhilarating as sitting shotgun in a car going at high speeds, which applies to the tracks that were released early. Though advanced copies of his album were not made available by press time, the work will not feature the song Lamar and Lady Gaga made together, called "Partynauseous." The reason for that, she wrote on her fan site, was because she "was not willing to compromise musically to the changes his team was making to my music."

One wonders if at times this ride doesn't exhaust Lamar. "I'm constantly thinking. I understand when artists have sleeping pills, 'cause your mind is constantly moving. You gotta be 10 steps ahead of yourself in this business."

PHOTO BY KEVIN SCANLON

Kendrick Lamar

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Outside the studio an hour later, tufts of ominous-looking clouds have formed a thick cover. A memory surfaces of the first interview we did, at this same studio, early last year. The sky had been overcast then as well, and Lamar had talked about the time when he was a young boy watching Tupac film the video for "California Love" in Compton.

It's fitting, because as we leave Carson the radio plays Tupac's "All Eyez on Me." He left his roots to come to L.A., and Lamar too no longer lives in Compton. "My heart and mind are there. But my whole thing is to inspire these kids and let 'em know I'm not there anymore. I come from the same place [they] come from and made it out in a positive light."

Another 'Pac line comes to mind: "I moved up out of the ghetto, so I ain't real now?"

Lamar might be fighting the same demons Tupac was, but instead of being on the defensive, he's opting for a different battle strategy. And for now, he's winning.

See also: Our review of Lamar's show at Club Nokia, 10/17/12