Earlier this year, Kendrick Lamar released his new album DAMN. In a new interview, Lamar has confirmed that the album was designed to be heard in reverse order. “I think like a week after the album came out, [fans] realized you can play the album backwards,” he told MTV News. “It plays as a full story and even a better rhythm. It’s one of my favorite rhythms and tempos within the album. It’s something that we definitely premeditate while we’re in the studio.” He continued, explaining how the album operates when played from back to front:
“I don’t think the story necessarily changes, I think the feel changes. The initial vibe listening from the top all the way to the bottom is…this aggression and this attitude. You know, ‘DNA,’ and exposing who I really am. You listen from the back end, and it’s almost the duality and the contrast of the intricate Kendrick Lamar. Both of these pieces are who I am.”
At the time of its release, rumors circulated that Lamar planned a companion album, but he later squashed that talk. The album ended up going to No. 1 in April with the week’s biggest sales, and later grabbed the top spot again in August from Arcade Fire. He’s released several visuals from his latest, including “LOYALTY” (with Rihanna), “ELEMENT.,” “DNA.,” and “HUMBLE.”
Source: Pitchfork