Auntie Diaries

Last updated

"Auntie Diaries"
Song by Kendrick Lamar
from the album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
ReleasedMay 13, 2022 (2022-05-13)
RecordedMay 2019
Genre Conscious hip hop
Length4:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Beach Noise
  • Craig Balmoris
  • Bekon
  • Sergiu Gherman
  • Tyler Reese

"Auntie Diaries" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar from his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022). The fifteenth track on Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers and the sixth track on the album's second half, [1] "Auntie Diaries" was produced by an ensemble of producers, including Beach Noise, Bekon & The Donuts, Craig Balmoris, Daniel Tannenbaum, and Tyler Mehlenbacher.

Contents

"Auntie Diaries" covers themes of transphobia. In the song, Lamar directly addresses his perspective on the gender transition of his uncle and cousin. Although praised by many transgender activists and personalities, Lamar's use of the slur faggot and direct approach towards the subject received critique and incited controversy. Lamar at the end of the song leaves listeners with a question to ponder about his use of the slur by telling the story of a previous performance in which he brought out a white female fan to perform his song with him but disapproved of her usage of the word nigga as part of the song, speaking in third person and critiquing himself as a hypocrite.

In the United States, "Auntie Diaries" reached number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Background

On April 18, 2022, Kendrick Lamar announced a new album, titled Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, his fifth studio album following the release of Damn (2017). The announcement was made through his website, oklama.com, launched in August 2021. [2]

Composition and lyrics

German spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle is sampled in the beginning of the song. Eckhart Tolle front.jpg
German spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle is sampled in the beginning of the song.

Narration from German spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle is sampled at the beginning of the song, followed by Lamar's verses. [1]

The song is a reflection upon Lamar's acceptance of gender transitions within his family; the first verse of the song begins, "My auntie is a man now". Lamar's uncle and cousin are both transgender. [3] "Auntie Diaries" continues the confessional motif of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. In the song, from the perspective of his younger self, Lamar repeatedly uses the word faggot , misgenders his relative's pronouns, and deadnames his family and Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner. The song culminates in Lamar as an adult confronting a minister, questioning the loving thy neighbor in regards to Christianity and homosexuality, stating, "The laws of the land or the heart, what's greater?" [4]

Critical reception

The song was met with mixed reviews from critics. Variety reviewed the song positively, noting, "While the song itself commits some language missteps, such as deadnaming and misgendering, it can be argued that the self-reflection, growth and learning shown through Lamar's lyrics are a positive step for a leader in the hip hop community." [5] Vox said the subject matter "should have been handled with more care. True allyship requires nuance, and with more actionable methods, his intentions would be clearer-cut. Perhaps a feature from a queer rapper who could directly speak to the experience of receiving such hate from family would've helped the case here." [6] Similarly, writing for Pitchfork , Stephen Kearse was critical of the song, saying: "In trying to impart a lesson about how [Lamar] learned then unlearned to say the f-slur, he makes himself the main character in his queer relatives' stories and he uses the slur wantonly...Kendrick has never been a perfect character actor, but in the past he at least imbued roles with some mark of individuality. Compared to Jay-Z's 'Smile,' which manages to tell the story of Hov's mom coming out of the closet and mixes flexes and intimacy, 'Auntie Diaries' lacks depth." [7]

Credits and personnel

Personnel

Information taken from the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers liner notes and Tidal. [8] [9]

Charts

Chart performance for "Auntie Diaries"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [10] 48
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [11] 39
France (SNEP) [12] 180
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [13] 50
Lithuania (AGATA) [14] 75
South Africa (TOSAC) [15] 19
UK Streaming (OCC) [16] 64
US Billboard Hot 100 [17] 47
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [18] 21

Related Research Articles

Faggot, often shortened to fag, is a derogatory slur used to refer to gay men but expanded to other members of the queer community. In American youth culture around the turn of the 21st century, its meaning extended as a broader reaching insult more related to masculinity and group power structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Lamar</span> American rapper and songwriter (born 1987)

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and songwriter. Regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation, and one of the greatest rappers of all time, he is known for his technical artistry and complex songwriting. He was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to receive the honor.

Dacoury Dahi Natche, known professionally as DJ Dahi or simply Dahi, is an American record producer, songwriter, disc jockey and singer from Inglewood, California. Working primarily in hip hop and R&B music, he has been credited on commercially successful singles including "Money Trees" by Kendrick Lamar, "Worst Behavior" by Drake, and "I Don't Fuck with You" by Big Sean—the latter rose to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. He made his vocal debut on Lamar's 2018 single "Loyalty", which he also produced.

"Die Hard" is a song by American rappers Kendrick Lamar, Blxst and Barbadian singer Amanda Reifer of the disbanded Cover Drive. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on August 9, 2022, as the third single from the former's fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. The song was produced by Sounwave, DJ Dahi, and Lamar's cousin Baby Keem, with co-production by FnZ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Heart Part 4</span> 2017 promotional single by Kendrick Lamar

"The Heart Part 4" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 23, 2017, by Top Dawg Entertainment. The track features uncredited vocals from American singer Khalid. The song contains samples from "Don't Tell a Lie about Me and I Won't Tell the Truth on You" by James Brown and "I Love You" by Faith Evans.

"Love" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring American singer Zacari, taken from the former's fourth studio album Damn (2017). It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records on October 2, 2017, as the third and final single from the album. Lamar and Zacari wrote the song with its producers Teddy Walton, Sounwave, Greg Kurstin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All the Stars</span> 2018 single by Kendrick Lamar and SZA

"All the Stars" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar and American singer SZA. Written alongside Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith and producers Sounwave and Al Shux, the song was released on January 4, 2018, as the lead single to the soundtrack album of the film Black Panther. Its release coincided with Top Dawg Entertainment's announcement that Tiffith and Lamar would be producing the Black Panther soundtrack album. Marvel Studios confirmed the news and revealed that Lamar was hand-picked by Black Panther's director Ryan Coogler to produce the soundtrack album. The song appeared in the movie's end credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Lamar albums discography</span>

American rapper Kendrick Lamar has released six studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play (EP), one soundtrack album, and five mixtapes. His records have sold more than 17.9 million album-equivalent units worldwide, 7.5 million of which are certified in the United States. Throughout his career, he has earned four number-one albums on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Keem</span> American rapper and record producer (born 2000)

Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr., known professionally as Baby Keem, is an American rapper and record producer. Raised in Las Vegas, he gained recognition in the late 2010s with his contributions to Black Panther: The Album by his cousin Kendrick Lamar, as well as Redemption by Jay Rock, Crash Talk by Schoolboy Q, and The Lion King: The Gift by Beyoncé. As a lead artist, he first became known for his 2019 sleeper hit single "Orange Soda", which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

American rapper and record producer Baby Keem has released one studio album, two mixtapes, four extended plays (EP), and ten singles. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has sold one million certified albums and five million certified singles in the United States. As of 2024, Keem is working on his second album.

Matthew Dean Burdette, known professionally as Blxst, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Los Angeles, California. He signed with Red Bull Records to release his debut extended play (EP), No Love Lost (2020). It spawned the single "Chosen", which peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His 2022 single, "Die Hard" peaked at number five on the chart and remains his highest-charting song. His debut mixtape, Before You Go (2022), was released in April of that year and meekly entered the Billboard 200, while his debut studio album, I'll Always Come Find You (2024), failed to chart.

"Range Brothers" is a song by American rappers Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar. The song was released on September 10, 2021 by Columbia Records and pgLang as the fourth track off of the former's debut album, The Melodic Blue. "Range Brothers" made the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip Hop songs charts among others. The third portion of the song's chorus by Lamar was leaked before the album's release and became a viral internet meme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Heart Part 5</span> 2022 promotional single by Kendrick Lamar

"The Heart Part 5" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was surprise released on May 8, 2022, through PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, as a promotional single to help anticipate the release for Lamar's fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, where it was later included as a streaming bonus track. It is the fifth part in his "The Heart" song series following "The Heart Part 4" in 2017, and his first solo release in over four years. The song received five nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, including for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, eventually winning the latter two.

<i>Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers</i> 2022 studio album by Kendrick Lamar

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is the fifth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on May 13, 2022, by PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album serves as his first release under his creative company PGLang, and his final project with both TDE and Aftermath. Lamar, who executive produced the album under the pseudonym Oklama, reunited with frequent collaborators Sounwave, J. Lbs, DJ Dahi, and Bekon for the majority of the album's production.

"N95" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, on May 20, 2022, through PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The song was produced by Boi-1da, Sounwave and Jahaan Sweet, with additional production by Lamar's cousin, fellow American rapper and record producer Baby Keem.

"We Cry Together" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar and American actress Taylour Paige, taken from the former's fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, released on May 13, 2022. The eighth track on the album, Lamar wrote the song alongside the Alchemist, Bekon, and J.Lbs. Florence Welch and Gary Peacock received additional songwriting credits for the sampling of their respective songs "June" and "Valentine".

"Silent Hill" is a song by American rappers Kendrick Lamar and Kodak Black. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio and urban contemporary radio through PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records as the first US single from Lamar's fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, on May 31, 2022. The song was produced by Boi-1da, Sounwave, and Jahaan Sweet, with additional production by Beach Noise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Big Steppers Tour</span> 2022–2024 concert tour by Kendrick Lamar

The Big Steppers Tour was the fourth solo concert tour by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, in support of his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022). It was his first concert tour and second arena-driven tour after the 2017–2018 Damn Tour. Visualized and formatted by PGLang, Lamar announced the tour hours after the release of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. It began on June 23, 2022, in Milan, Italy, and concluded on March 23, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico, consisting of 103 shows across six continents. 75 of those shows were held in arenas, while 28 were headlining performances at music festivals.

<i>Kendrick Lamar Live: The Big Steppers Tour</i> 2022 American concert film

Kendrick Lamar Live: The Big Steppers Tour is a 2022 American concert film documenting The Big Steppers Tour, the 2022–2023 concert tour by rapper Kendrick Lamar. Directed by Mike Carson, Dave Free and Mark A. Ritchie, it was filmed in October 2022 at Accor Arena in Paris.

<i>GNX</i> (album) 2024 studio album by Kendrick Lamar

GNX is the sixth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was surprise released on November 22, 2024, through PGLang and Interscope Records. The album has guest appearances from SZA, Dody6, Lefty Gunplay, Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, Roddy Ricch, AzChike, Hitta J3, YoungThreat; and Peysoh. Production was primarily by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, alongside Mustard, Sean Momberger, and Kamasi Washington, among others. Titled after the Buick Regal model and following his feud with Canadian rapper and singer Drake, GNX is Lamar's first album to be released after his departure from longtime labels Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment.

References

  1. 1 2 Cottingham, Daric (May 18, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's Auntie Diaries is a clumsy attempt at trans acceptance". Vox . Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  2. ↑ Monroe, Jazz (April 18, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar Announces New Album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  3. ↑ Jackson, Mitchell (December 27, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's New Chapter: Raw, Intimate and Unconstrained". The New York Times . Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  4. ↑ Haney, Taylor (May 19, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's new song 'Auntie Diaries' divides the LGBTQ+ community". NPR . Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  5. ↑ Aswad, Jem (May 13, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's 'Auntie Diaries' Is a Powerful, Genre-Shifting Statement on Transphobia". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ Cottingham, Daric L. (May 18, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's Auntie Diaries is a clumsy attempt at trans acceptance". Vox. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ Kearse, Stephen (May 16, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (booklet). Kendrick Lamar. Interscope Records. 2022.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers: Credits". Tidal. May 13, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  10. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Top Singles / Semaine du 20 mai 2022". SNEP . Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  14. ↑ "2022 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 20-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100 (20 May 2022 – 26 May 2022)". Official Charts Company. May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.