Tracking The Many Voices Of Kendrick Lamar | Genius News

A big part of Kendrick Lamar’s music is his rotating series of voices. From one track to the next, Kendrick can jump from a high-pitched squeal to a syrupy drawl to a rapid-fire patter, coloring his songs with new feeling every time he switches his tone. The Compton rapper has discussed several of these voices throughout his career, including his “Lord of the Rings” voice and his “Gemini alter-ego.” Genius explored some of his most common voices to understand how he uses vocal tone and inflection to tell stories and convey emotion in his music.
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Read all of the lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's biggest hits on Genius: genius.com/artists/Kendrick-l...
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[@genius]

To clarify: Section.80 was Kendrick Lamar’s debut studio album, but good kid, m.A.A.d city was his major label debut. Thanks for the factcheck tho!

[@ggnari]

gg

[@niville7]

Oh!

[@lunamp3]

was just about to mention that lmao

[@ggnari]

2 Chainz > Kendrick ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) jk dont crucify me

[@jessiesangalang2517]

u called section 80 a mixtape, u fools

[@eukerwoof]

Kendrick Lamar - ft. Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick, Lamar, Lamrick Kendamar, Kendrick Lamar, & Lamar Kendrick

[@oliviaiacovou]

ft. Duckworth

[@guudvybezonly]

•Girls13 Mel Productions• k.dot

[@swaelee4686]

would be dope

[@matshbocks]

ft. Kung Fu Kendy

[@datboyTen.x]

Ft. King kunta

[@YoungEllo]

"So I was taking a walk the other day...

[@xplicit_5318]

Ello Swagg and saw this blind woman but then I tripped! 😂😂😂

[@veetondon9569]

That Goes with "I remember u was conflicted"

[@Astral0G1]

Ello Swagg You've lost........ your life ☠🤣

[@WeKnowTheTruth2012]

Ello Swagg that 5.0 thang..

[@jaydizzle2127]

Misusing yo influence..... sometimes i do the same

[@jakaan2014]

I always thought authority voice was another person

[@IconicHunny]

Jakaan 20 omg same

[@rop5685]

I thought it was the dude that helped him out with m.a.a.d city

[@johnnytest7849]

Same😂💯

[@kp.interludes]

saaaaaaamee

[@lucyfoxy3753]

420 likes nice

[@shivambhutani9800]

Kendrick one of the greatest of this gen ❌ Kendrick one of the greatest of all time ✔️

[@versatilepro1]

Syed Salik em has had multiple bad songs. Kendrick doesnt even have a single bad song.

[@kaannagumanov1185]

@Syed Salik he said one OF the best, not the best

[@skinnysuge9188]

@Shady Eminem a legendary rapper. Lamar a poet.

[@vincentvega6932]

He's up there fosho

[@somebodyig624]

He's the greatest of this gen but he ain't in my top 10. But yeah top 20.

[@DatSimbaCrazy]

one of my favorite voices from kendrick is from swimming pools when his conscience starts to rap

[@MrAndersonneo88]

o kay

[@harivyas9550]

Dat_Simba_Crazy I love that part so much , I think thats one of the most unique & captivating parts of the song because he uses that voice. The dudes a absoulute true artist when it comes to his craft. Honestly, half the rappers these days dont put in as much work and lyrical truth he puts into his songs & production value. We are very fortunate to have artists like kdot & j cole 🙏💯

[@chelseaadu-domfeh7225]

Dat_Simba_Crazy yesss samee

[@joydada803]

MrAndersonneo88 Now open your mind up and listen me Kendrick

[@faisalmohamed4988]

Joy Dada i am your conscience if you do not hear me than you will be history Kendrick

[@tommyali1787]

Kendrick Lamar = 🐐

[@PinoyMarco23]

TheKidd how dare you consider Kendrick a goat. He is the Greatest Of All Time!!!

[@orlandoaleman595]

PinoyMarco23 hold up

[@WeKnowTheTruth2012]

TheKidd TheKidd = 🍔

[@bloodclotgames9659]

PinoyMarco23 wait what

[@Noah.indica]

TheKidd I get the reference

[@wiltonsmith1947]

you know kendricks about to go in when his voice goes really pitched like in holy key

[@cookie0329]

Never catch me is a great example.

[@isaachuyard943]

What about his voice in loyalty

[@jamesronaldo2855]

TropicChart 245 numb I'd say

[@WrestleManiaMan1000]

Melodic-Numb

[@kashamasina9906]

It sounds similar to institutionalized

[@Supermanjonny96]

He sounds like jay z and biggie in loyalty

[@almaz4858]

Numb

[@benjaminkukkola8754]

Its also dope when he doubles his vocals, his normal voice combined with higher pitched voice.

[@benjaminkukkola8754]

examples: babylon, bitch dont kill my vibe

[@NestaOG]

Especially on his Fly Lo collab, that dubbed verse is hard.

[@StrivedeLaLear]

That's called s harmony, fam.

[@Impondering]

It was perfect on good kid

[@AdolfEinchelchwizen]

Money trees

[@HiRezTV]

ONE OF THE DOPEST OUT!!!!

[@JeromeProductions]

AYE REZZ

[@sapnilrc3125]

Ayye Hirez big fan man appreciate

[@sinceredroga2152]

Yooo na I’m still listening to 1990 something bro your so underrated

[@Sean-MacGuire]

Cap

[@vino2450]

Kendrick is sounding more and more squeaky every album

[@VOKER101]

hahaha

[@opkarb]

Auto tune?

[@TallicaMan1986]

squeaky clean?

[@dysperdotted]

mustnt | No autotune

[@nabed4752]

He's going backwards through puberty

[@Killius]

Kendrick's got a jukebox of rap voice he puts a coin to get to.

[@whalenail7783]

Ummmm ok

[@RebelGamingFTW]

And he uses it a couple times for each album he releases

[@dylanlessard9003]

Genius. You guys need to understand section 80 is a studio album and GKMC is his major label debut studio album.

[@beeutskindeep]

I noticed that too.

[@ridcoulssir4046]

Dylan Lessard there's no difference he was still with Dr Dre during section 8 ? So gkmc is his 1st album

[@jeffo466]

Tommy Ornelas Section.80 is Kendrick Lamar's first album.

[@drinkyowater]

They just hopped on Kendrick bandwagon so they don't know shit

[@elvarfossdal7821]

Cornrow Kenny how dense are you? Genius is a rap lyric website. Why tf would they "jump on a bandwagon"?

[@mikehawk2245]

DAMN u guys actually put something I didn't know already

[@jeffreyvences6432]

Central Intelligence Agency Then again, what doesn't the C.I.A Know.. Lol

[@meerldn6044]

DAMN.

[@bengregory1235]

Aha DAMN.

[@creeperconstruction7515]

Mike Hawk I know right I remember hearing him in early 2000s and he sounded completely different not like himself at all.

[@JayKelShua]

@@creeperconstruction7515 as time evolves you gotta figure put how to evolve your own sound. Also different vocal inflections are important for certain instrumentals and sounds

[@foxybluu3357]

He’s so talented that they had to name his voices 😂wow

[@usudu123]

Y'all forgot when on "swimming pools" he fades out a vocal tone to fade in another one mid verse I believe, can't quite remember, thought it was dope but now reminiscing I think it's genius

[@juliogod7672]

Wich sec bro?

[@ivans.8352]

The conscience voice?

[@studyboi4449]

​ Ivan S. Okay, now open your mind up and listen me, Kendrick I am your conscience, if you do not hear me then you will be history, Kendrick I know that you're nauseous right now and I'm hopin' to lead you to victory, Kendrick

[@morty1504]

You might be thinking of their interlude sorta part in maad city where he talks about holding them hostage, the authority voice fades in there

[@JeromeProductions]

studyboi444 🤣

[@yoelpachuco6875]

Cole and kendrick album gonna be lit 💯

[@fuckheights7782]

King Ali IF it comes but hopefully it does!

[@d3th_2_all]

That Guy it better come

[@marthelheim]

If it even drops

[@elarno3554]

Im not getting my hopes up tho

[@MrSupedoSpade]

Don't play with my emotions like this 😭😭😭

[@R2TheArTisT]

Kendrick the king of different flows

[@suyashsharma6745]

0:05 *correction* He is the greatest rapper of this generation. One of the GOATs.

[@suyashsharma6745]

@Syed Salik I would love to have that discussion but Em's not even this generation

[@suyashsharma6745]

@Syed Salik this generation refers to artist with album catalog starting from 2010. Plus that album is straight up trash.

[@suyashsharma6745]

@Syed Salik you really define good albums by sales. By your logic Drake is the second best rapper of all time & despacito is the best song in all of music. I see that you're new to rap. I don't wanna ruin your passion. I started with guys like Eminem too.

[@stewart0.041]

@Syed Salik I mean Kendrick has never put out a bad release, which puts him in goat contention. Eminem has put out subpar albums, which for me excludes him from goat contention.

[@robster191]

@Syed Salik eminem is so utterly trash he released 3 decent albums and everything else is trash

[@speedynoodle615]

I like how he doesn't flex like all these other goofy rappers

[@1fashionistastargirl]

Speedy Noodle facts

[@zadeoooo]

Speedy Noodle When he does it's to mock them

[@YourPalHDee]

Speedy Noodle I'd say Damn is nothing but "Flexing".

[@lookattheflowers969]

YourPalHDee In Damn I feel like he thinks he's the only one in the rap game giving this prophetic message I don't know almost like he feels burdened by everyone else.

[@speedynoodle615]

D4TNIGGABART that really makes no sense... 1 word doesn't describe them as to what they're trying to put out to other rappers..... and I don't get why people call it a game, its not a game. its music culture. get your heads out the clouds

[@visualswami8488]

Section.80 is an album...

[@realjaln180]

Yes

[@user-fu7zf4ck9z]

Visual Swami Commercial mixtape

[@thewitnus458]

Visual Swami it was originally released as a mixtape, then Kendrick started to sell it as an album. It's probably my favorite Kendrick piece. So many good tracks.

[@ollygibson2888]

My favourite

[@AceRested]

Olly Gibson you're trippin. His new albums have way more content and go to a whole other level

[@jamesbrooking2143]

The ending of "U" is one of the most emotional pieces of rap ever created, an absolute work of art

[@AntiSocialExtrovert323]

He had them turn off all the lights in the studio and he just let go and weeped

[@shanicemaposa2441]

Top 5 best rappers 1.k-dot 2.man man 3.kendrick lamar 4.kung fu kenny 5.mr 1 - 5

[@jabba772]

bro what about king kunta

[@Meekmillan]

Jabba new fans smh lol

[@keanukahrobaie]

I cringed reading this comment.

[@MyBihLuhCoco]

1. K. Dot 2. Kung Fu Kenny 3. King Kunta 4. Kendrick Lamar 5. Biggest Hypocrite of 2015

[@keanukahrobaie]

Z Zzz Cringe🤮

[@damaris1279]

Kendrick will STILL be a legend in 4027 .. yes I edited

[@frankastrab9539]

Minaj Incorporated Kendrick will be a legend in 2017

[@ToiletSawce]

Frankie Astrab he already a legend fym

[@frankastrab9539]

Toilet Sauce exactly

[@drippy6941]

Minaj Incorporated 4027 or 2047?😉

[@damaris1279]

SammySarah Qudsi What I said. Exactly. The world won't end until about a 5 billion years. So. 4027, 4028, 4029, and you know the rest. Which is a lot. Ha.

[@5PointPowerSword]

His different characters are (for the most part) aspects of himself separated from him as a person and turned into a character based on those feelings/parts of himself. That's why it's so important for him to change voices and he does it so so well.

[@LilStinker]

Reminds me of an actor using emoting differently for different roles and situations. Kendrick uses the voices to give substance and depth to each track. By modulating his voice, the personality of each track is highlighted. He is a true artist.

[@g-btpink2704]

You gotta update this. He got new flows brother.

[@Noodlyk18]

Be patient brother

[@gashadokuro920]

that last part, when he dropped that in his alright music video, I swear to God everybody wanted to know about the beat and shit

[@ryanboodhram2110]

Greatest rapper of this generation, yeah damn right, best rapper ever

[@itswilbur52]

ReaperOpsX _ He's not the best rapper ever but he's one of the best

[@jord99n]

ReaperOpsX _ he one of the greats already but not the best at all

[@russellrobinson6404]

ABRAVExSTOVE they're not overrated at all doggz

[@ryanboodhram2110]

Russell Robinson my opinion started a war lol

[@ashtonparker8901]

D.H. I find it stupid people get bigger if they're dead. The GOAT can be alive.. IMO opinion Kendrick's already top 5, can be getting higher

[@Levszan]

Hands down greatest of all time. This is just a small portion to prove it

[@trollsandparodys]

Pharwex yeah it's an unpopular opinion but he's for real the greatest.

[@nbhdbruh6458]

+Lunes BR frfr

[@5PointPowerSword]

People want to dismiss him being the greatest because they have a lot of respect and nostalgia for past rappers (which I have too), but the truth is Kendrick is just on another level as an artist.

[@matthewkendall8592]

Kendrick is top 7 easy

[@TS-rp7dz]

Great Destroyer Every Kendrick album thus far has been a classic. Kanye has like 5 classics at most, so Kendrick will easily surpass him.

[@maedelly]

I love it when he changes his voices, one of the reasons why I enjoy his music tbh. It’s so creative.

[@zinodz2]

the first song i heard from kendrick was buried alive and i was attracted to his rapping voice right away to later understand it wasnt the voice he always uses

[@NestaOG]

The first song I heard was My Mind Drifts from that 2011 Peter Rosenberg mixtape.

[@Notimportant253]

Zino Wan Kenobi I been listening to him for only like 2 years, and my first song I heard and thought was fire was called "go dj" off his first tape. I feel so bad because I was sleepin heavy on him since 2012...

[@xxparaholicwhorexx]

im so proud of how far kendrick and cole have come. Top 2 Imo . Theres no need to compare them. One is a lyrical genius and the other is so damn relatable makes you feel what he feels. DIfferent sounds witht he same passion to change the world.

[@shotty7160]

mia abdul nah bruh you can compare any rapper believe it or not. Why j Cole fans always say that.

[@xxparaholicwhorexx]

SHOTTY I'm a fan of both and get different feelings listening to each artist that's why I saay that.

[@ISATGDuh]

j cole is now trassssh.

[@shtickeh9715]

mia abdul what about Freddie Gibbs or Killer Mike though?

[@twistedgambit9084]

Freddie Gibbs is good but he doesnt do anything different that I havent heard before. Killer Mike works best with El-P right now, and solo he just sounds the same. For instance on that Kill Jill track it was a weak flow.

[@LoveTh0ughts]

"Now open ya mind up & listen to me, Kendrick" 💯💯🔥

[@backtfup7934]

He's not "one of the greatest" *He is "The greatest." period*

[@nicolasleal3673]

🐐RESPECT

[@JRalphMC]

This is why i love Kendrick his flow is always switching and is versatile. He has helped me improve my rap voice in many ways. Very unique

[@beeutskindeep]

Wow, this made me look at Kendrick from a whole new prospective. The talent that man possesses is unparalleled to any of these new wave "rappers". Truly, one of a kind.

[@NevHeart]

*Ive been WAITING for somebody to fully analyze this shit. He's 1 of few to use his voice in such a way.* 👏🏽

[@Atelier95tutorials]

Kendrick Lamar has got about 15 voices....he's a generational jewel 💎

[@olamideakinola7297]

It’s a clever way to tell a story.

[@bernard7057]

2:00 i didnt know that was kendrick speaking, damn.

[@NateDjCube]

Not Like Us 📢 Kendrick the King 👑

[@jackylanceberg2709]

You forgot my favorite voice, “Lucy” from To Pimp a Butterfly

[@gameboy-kg6gg]

I still need a full Dead Homies lol

[@CellJr.]

nigga I've been waiting for that for ages lol

[@coleintheville117]

I need a full It's alive more tbh

[@koraielias5676]

Ohhhh yeahhhh pls

[@megami7373]

SAME

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

And all of Kendrick's many voices stem from the fact that he was and still is heavily inspired by one of his biggest idols Eminem. Who pretty much did this heavily in his own music of the past and sometimes current. Kendrick has mentioned of Em's influence twice already in some of his recent interviews with Rick Rubin on GQ, and Zane Lowe for Beats 1. Go back and listen to some of Em's stuff, he was doing the eccentric voices and characters back then. Cant believe Genius is even leaving this out. Dont believe me, then go ask and read up more on what your favorite rapper has to say. Kendrick on how Eminem inspired him from the Rick Rubin interview: "The clarity, I got my clarity just studying Eminem when I was a kid. How I got in the studio was all just curiosity. I had a love for the music, but it was curiosity. The day I heard The Marshall Mathers LP, I was just like, How does that work? What is he doing? How is he putting his words together like that? What's the track under that? An ad-lib? What is that? And then, Why don't you go in the studio and see? So I do that. Then it became, How's his words cutting through the beat like that? What is he doing that I'm not doing, now that I'm into it? His time is impeccable. When he wants to fall off the beat, it's impeccable. These are things that, through experience and time, I had to learn."

[@brentpiper2805]

Andre 3k as well

[@eyjo3094]

Eminem never did it like Kendrick did it. Never.

[@weirdo4653]

Kendrick >> All other rappers alive

[@monilaninetynine3811]

His various voices make me think of Prince

[@dysperdotted]

3:24 Busta? Is that you?

[@Chances126]

I thought this would be a montage of Kendrick's voice sounding different from different songs.. like his tiny baby voice, his man voice, etc.

[@Rey-io8um]

Kendrick Lamar is the hours of voices...

[@zayis220]

Kendrick isn’t one of the best he is he best Kendrick isn’t one of the best rappers of this generation he is he best rapper of this generation. And don’t try to say he overrated. Give me a better rapper out and alive rn.

[@OscarTheSage]

Lil Broomstick

[@sickosnake2673]

Inb4 Eminem

[@expressed3584]

Isaiah Hagler timmy b luls memes

[@killakillua6600]

Ride around the broomstick, yah that's harry potter

[@SubToJinx]

I agree on best of his generation... but I personally think there are many better rappers alive.

[@cameronkarus9602]

K dot takes all the places for the top 10 current rappers

[@ilovebeyonce3426]

edwardtropical lol yes

[@Nerd-gasm]

"Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest rappers of this generation" ❌ Kendrick lamar is one of the greatest rappers of all time. 👍

[@Jo-hq4zt]

Kendrick Lamar is the greatest rapper of all time

[@angeldaflacko1825]

Joahan Diaz no nigga

[@Jo-hq4zt]

Heat.Angel who is then?

[@awgabe]

Heat.Angel L

[@dontworry1226]

Kanye west is better

[@ery]

Don't Worry fuck Kanye L

[@yean_jean5317]

Shut up with your "he easily top five of this generation.." HE IS EASILY TOP 5 OF ALL TIME

[@adroitbeatbox4809]

Nah there is no top 5 because its all based on subjective opinions. It is like asking what car brand is the best.

[@mangvum6457]

Adroit Beatbox Lamborghini

[@adroitbeatbox4809]

BushDid 911 but... Jet fuel cant melt steel beams...

[@PointPeanut]

Kenshin Himura Noooo

[@PointPeanut]

Kenshin Himura their is no top 5

[@stirfryty420]

I didn’t know that deep voice was Kendrick on section 80 and king kunta!!!!

[@zamalalthanzama6299]

Kendrick voice just like easy e man.Damn,so similar.

[@rahsully5545]

She called section 80 a mixtape? The disrespect 😂

[@chefhuncho2048]

Rahsully 59 minutes are u dumb

[@BOZYGANG]

+christian george it's still an album. it just wasn't a major release. GKMC was the first major release, but Section 80 was still an album released under TDE

[@DaMentePraFora]

I love Section 80. Still listening

[@Empiandar]

2:29 i still can't get over this wicked flow man 😹🔥!

[@tonymo7102]

Ive been waiting on something like this

[@cool3nc]

Letty! Preciate you coming through with this one. Great to have a genuine, damn near day 1 cole and kendrick stan at genius.

[@josietennyson5835]

Kendrick is an absolute legend. One of the Modern Day Shakespeare's of 2017

[@mehuldung8415]

It's been 3 years, he prolly got a new set of voices

[@yoizrad247]

Really glad this video was made

[@joaoluis3228]

i love that loyalty voice

[@pattymeza]

Kendrick's "conscience" voice in swimming pools is what made me an instant fan of him.

[@briannakenan9561]

K Dot makes it fun to rap to 🙌🏾

[@judyscott4443]

Gosh I love him, one of the best truly

[@displayname8848]

I needed this video...

[@Ps3GamesAbdo]

He has more voices than actual albums

[@munozjonathan86]

"Got time" or "Gemini" voice always been my favorite lol

[@JorgeCastro-ui3pi]

I love when artists play with their vocals. It’s makes their music that much more interesting.

[@amans2806]

this is a dope video keep more like this coming

[@m.a.3322]

Let's not forget the artistically passive voice in his collab with Rihanna in Loyalty. God I love Kendrick! 😍😍

[@mrbluesky6885]

Kendrick is The God Of Many Faces

[@Sevladra]

XX XX voices

[@jcsmooth70]

Yup. I'll be listening to Kendrick all day now. Every song stuck in my head all over again lol.

[@sonicoduh1125]

That last voice you presented from the Alright video is my favorite voice of his.

[@honeybeeklo83]

I was just telling my hubby he uses his voice as an instrument I just love him!

[@508ctk]

3:23 KENNY MUST MAKE A SONG W/ THAT BEAT; ES MUY FUEGO!!! Who else agrees?

[@highshelf]

Everytime im listening to a song and the delirium voices comes up, it goes crazy, some of the most hype bars ever

[@travisneslon1409]

1:50 the best kendrick voice, been looking everywhere for someone that has recreated that sound

[@Nikblor]

My favorite is in adhd when he doubles his voice with a higher one

[@kendricklagoat6593]

Kung fu Kenny now

[@quadmetal2458]

Kendrick LaGoat Kendrick

[@quadmetal2458]

Kendrick LaGoat goat

[@quadmetal2458]

Kendrick LaGoat cornrow Kenny

[@quadmetal2458]

Kendrick LaGoat king Kendrick

[@HOLLOWFOX3]

I would live to hear a mash up of all his different tones in like 1 minute

[@luciatejadavega9228]

Perfect man, thank you K

[@TawandaMatanda]

Hey yo when is that song at the start of the "Alright" video coming out?

[@AHamp123]

Check out Crank Lucas video about Kendrick Lamar's engineer lmao.

[@duftpank4817]

i've felt like i have been waiting for this video since Damn. came out! too bad it's not longer

[@kermm03]

the way he uses those vocals it just unlike anyone else. truly amazing

[@FranciscoHernandez-wp9mu]

A lot of people I know hate the playerstic voice, it's personally my favorite voice apart from the rough-edged "go-time" voice

[@brightntuliart]

Greatest of all time.

[@NotoriousNFM]

That last clip needs to be made a full song pleaseeee Kendrick

[@s.f.f.f.t11]

1:24 That voice is one of my favourites, especially on that Love Game verse

[@bigbenmk4873]

Whos gonna be at the sap center in san jose on august 12 for kdot, ill be there

[@rijads6671]

1:43 she said that section 80 is a mixtape genius do your research

[@JmoneyWick]

her accent on the playeristic part.. heart eyes

[@FroddyWho_]

Man this girl sounds so chillll

[@sergiolucas2781]

3:12 dat dab doe

[@AspenSavage]

Awesome video

[@bunnyeves]

I swear bless this amazing and beautiful man. He's so inspiring and just..amazing at everything. He won't be the best because he already is the best. Really. I mean, he's one of the only rappers I listen to from today. The other rappers I listen to are older already. Then I listen to other shit like rock or something. Well, nobody asked but whatever

[@tylersix7598]

I like his numb and rage tones, for chilling and hype