Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARASThis album is right on time.
After Spotify teased fans at midnight, seven-time Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar surprised the public with a brand new "project," available on all of the major streaming devices, including iTunes, Apple Music and Tidal.
For his fourth studio album, Lamar dubbed the compilation untitled unmastered., a nod to the lack of titles for the eight songs included on the track list. Instead, the beats are listed with dates ranging from 2013 to 2016, potentially referencing when they were originally recorded or at least conceptualized.
The bare titles aren't the only differences separating this album from its three predecessors. Lamar has tapped into an even more soulful, jazzy and altogether groovier style for these songs than his last three collections—"a nuanced nod," as iTunes describes, "to hip-hop's deep roots and unstoppable political and expressive currency."
In order to extend hip-hop's deep roots, Lamar has already reached out to the next generation of music makers. He enlisted the help of 5-year-old Egypt Daoud Dean, the son of musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. According to the tot's proud dad, Egypt contributed to the beat for "untitled 07."
"This is the best Dad moment everrrrr!!! Congrats to my son Egypt for producing his 1st track on this amazing Kendrick Album he's only 5yrs old wowwwwwww @aliciakeys look at our lil guy baby #blessingsonblessings thx #Kendrick for investing in the future !!! Track 7" Beatz gushed on his Instagram account while sharing a photo of the mysteriously bare album cover.
As William Shakespeare famously said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It seems Lamar got the message loud and clear. No matter the track titles—or lack thereof—the music is already on its rise to the top.