Artists Give Kendrick Lamar High Praise For 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'

After the release of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, artists went to social media to praise Kendrick Lamar on his fifth studio album.

After a five-year wait, the return of Kendrick Lamar has received a warm welcome. At midnight, the rapper's fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers was released, and artists went to social media to give 'oklama' well-deserved praise.

While on vacation (or perhaps in the recording studio), Lupe Fiasco went to Twitter to commend Lamar. "Reporting from Hawaii. Exceptional work Mr. Lamar," he wrote.

IDK – who released collaborative album Simple. with Kaytranada earlier this month – praised the production on Mr. Morale, which boasted contributions from Sounwave, Baby Keem, DJ Dahi, Boi-1da and more.

Top Dawg Entertainment president, Terrence 'Punch' Henderson Jr., gave Lamar his flowers, mentioning that Mr. Morale will be the rapper's final album on TDE.

In February, Punch spoke with Mic about Lamar's label departure.

“I don’t even know if I would describe it that way as ready to leave, as more so ready to build his own thing,” Punch said. “That’s a grown man right now. We watched him grow from a teenager up into an established grown man, a businessman, and one of the greatest artists of all time. So how long do you actually be signed up under somebody? It’s been almost 20 years. So it’s time to move on and try new things and venture out.”

He continued, “He’s doing a great job developing Baby Keem. It’s always been there, but now it’s just time and space where he can actually do it. It’s a beautiful thing to watch because that’s something that started with what we built in the beginning. To see it blossom, it’s a full-circle moment.”

Last August, Lamar revealed that his new album would mark his final release on TDE.

“As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood,”  he wrote. “May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling. There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown.”

Read more praise for Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers below.