Lust (Kendrick Lamar song)

Last updated
"Lust"
Song by Kendrick Lamar
from the album Damn
ReleasedApril 14, 2017
Recorded2017
Studio Windmark Studios, Henson Recording Studios
Genre Hip-hop
Length5:08
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"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 uncredited guest vocals from record producer Kaytranada. [3] Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017.

Contents

Production

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 is built off an original composition by BadBadNotGood which features guest vocals from electronic musician Kaytranada. [3] [8] Lamar first met the band at Coachella in 2016, immediately asking the band to collaborate. [9] With Lamar, producers DJ Dahi and Sounwave flipped the track, with additional string arrangements made by jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, who played on Lamar's third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly . [10] [4] [11] The song contains a sample of Rat Boy's 2015 song "Knock Knock Knock", sampled by former collaborator Dahi. [12] [13] [11] When he found out about the sample, Rat Boy tweeted his appreciation. [13] [14]

Critical reception and tributes

Kathleen Johnston of GQ described "Lust" as the best song on Damn. [7]

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]

Live performances

Lamar performed "Lust" live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017. [17] He performed the song seated in a cage accentuated by strings of LED lights. [18] Lamar has performed "Lust" on The Damn Tour. [19]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet. [1]

Production and songwriting

Technical

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [20] 35
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [21] 86
France (SNEP) [22] 122
Ireland (IRMA) [23] 36
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [24] 72
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [25] 36
Portugal (AFP) [26] 34
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [27] 45
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [28] 94
UK Singles (OCC) [29] 52
US Billboard Hot 100 [30] 43
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [31] 25

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [32] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [33] Platinum80,000‡
United States (RIAA) [34] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  2. ↑ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL . Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  3. 1 2 DJ Z (April 11, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's "Lust" Will Feature Guest Vocals by KAYTRANADA - DJBooth Article". DJBooth.net. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "The Production on Kendrick Lamar's "Lust" Explores the Dread of Mundanity". Thump. 14 April 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ McDermott, Maeve (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': A track-by-track instant review". USA Today . Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Jack Smith IV (April 14, 2017). "In one verse, Kendrick Lamar captured the turbulent aftermath of the election" . Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Johnston, Kathleen. "'Lust' is the best track on Kendrick Lamar's new album, Damn". British GQ. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  8. ↑ BADBADNOTGOOD (April 11, 2017). ""LUST."". Instagram . Retrieved 2020-11-23. "...produced by @djdahi @sounwavetde with additional vox by @kaytranada on our sample!
  9. ↑ Josephs, Brian (2016-07-28). "BADBADNOTGOOD Got the Props". SPIN. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  10. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide". Rolling Stone . April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Producer DJ Dahi Talks the 5 Songs He Made For Kendrick Lamar's DAMN". SPIN. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  12. ↑ "Lust by Kendrick Lamar on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Rat Boy responds to Kendrick Lamar sampling him on 'LUST'". The Independent. April 15, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Rat Boy responds to being sampled on new Kendrick Lamar album - NME". NME. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar's "Lust" Inspired This Powerful Short Film". Complex. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar's 'Lust' Inspires Short Film About the Life of a Black Man". XXL Mag. 23 June 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Coachella Festival 2017". setlist.fm. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar sends off Coachella weekend 2 on a high note". USA Today. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  23. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  25. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  27. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar – Lust.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Lust". Music Canada . Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  34. ↑ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Lust". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved June 22, 2021.
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