Lust (Kendrick Lamar song)
"Lust" | |
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Song |
"Lust" (stylized as "LUST.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The ninth track on the album (sixth on the Collector's Edition of Damn[2]), the song was written by Lamar, DJ Dahi, Mark Spears a.k.a. Sounwave, and BadBadNotGood, and was produced by DJ Dahi, Sounwave, and BadBadNotGood.[1] The song features guest vocals from record-producer Kaytranada, of which he is uncredited.[3] Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017.
Lyrics
The song is about routine; the things we allow to interrupt them,[4] along with romantic lust and material desire.[5] The song's lyrics also reflect Lamar's reaction to the 2016 presidential election, specifically the anger and confusion some of the nation felt in the wake of it.[6][7] Specifically, Lamar speaks about the protests against Donald Trump, including the struggle to keep the energy up and sustain the protests long-term, without getting fatigued.[6] By the end of the song, the theme of acceptance comes into play.[6]
The song features guest vocals from electronic musician Kaytranada, and marks the first time he has worked with Lamar.[3] Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, who played on Lamar's third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly, assisted with the string arrangements.[8]
Critical reception
Kathleen Johnston of GQ Magazine described "Lust" as the best song on Damn.[7]
Live performances
Lamar performed "Lust" live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017.[9] He performed the song seated in a cage accentuated by strings of LED lights.[10] Lamar has performed "Lust" on the Damn tour.[11]
Samples
The song contains a sample of Rat Boy's song "Knock Knock Knock",[12] which first appeared on his 2015 mixtape Neighborhood Watch.[13] When he found out about the sample, Rat Boy himself was very happy and delighted about it, tweeting his appreciation.[13][14]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.[1]
- Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter
- Dacoury Natche – songwriter, producer
- Mark Spears – songwriter, producer, strings
- Chester Hansen – songwriter, producer
- Alexander Sowinski – songwriter, producer
- Matthew Tavares – songwriter, producer
- Leland Whitty – songwriter, producer
- Kamasi Washington – strings
- Kaytranada – additional vocals
- Rat Boy – additional vocals
- Derek Ali – mixing
- Tyler Page – mix assistant
- Cyrus Taghipour – mix assistant
Short film
Months after the release of "Lust" and Damn, creative collective Combined Culture released a short film inspired by the track on June 17, 2017, in celebration of Lamar's 30th birthday earlier in June.[15][16]
Charts
Chart (2017) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] | 35 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[18] | 86 |
Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 36 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] | 72 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] | 36 |
Portugal (AFP)[22] | 34 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[23] | 45 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] | 94 |
UK Singles (OCC)[25] | 52 |
US Billboard Hot 100[26] | 43 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[27] | 25 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[28] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b c "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ a b DJ Z (April 11, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's "Lust" Will Feature Guest Vocals by KAYTRANADA - DJBooth Article". DJBooth.net. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "The Production on Kendrick Lamar's "Lust" Explores the Dread of Mundanity". Thump. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ McDermott, Maeve (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': A track-by-track instant review". USA Today. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c Jack Smith IV (April 14, 2017). "In one verse, Kendrick Lamar captured the turbulent aftermath of the election". Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Johnston, Kathleen. "'Lust' is the best track on Kendrick Lamar's new album, Damn". British GQ. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide". Rolling Stone. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Coachella Festival 2017". setlist.fm. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar sends off Coachella weekend 2 on a high note". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Masley, Ed (July 13, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force". AZ Central. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "Lust by Kendrick Lamar on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Rat Boy responds to Kendrick Lamar sampling him on 'LUST'". The Independent. April 15, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Rat Boy responds to being sampled on new Kendrick Lamar album - NME". NME. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's "Lust" Inspired This Powerful Short Film". Complex. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
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(help) - ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'Lust' Inspires Short Film About the Life of a Black Man - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
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(help) - ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Lust". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.