Lust (Kendrick Lamar 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.
"Lust" | |
---|---|
Song by Kendrick Lamar | |
from the album Damn | |
Recorded | 2017 |
Studio | Windmark Studios, Henson Recording Studios |
Genre | Hip hop |
Length | 5:08 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
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] 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.[9][4] The song contains a sample of Rat Boy's 2015 song "Knock Knock Knock"[10][11] When he found out about the sample, Rat Boy tweeted his appreciation.[11][12]
Critical reception and tributes
Kathleen Johnston of GQ Magazine 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.[13][14]
Live performances
Lamar performed "Lust" live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017.[15] He performed the song seated in a cage accentuated by strings of LED lights.[16] Lamar has performed "Lust" on the Damn tour.[17]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.[1]
Production and songwriting
- Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter
- Dacoury Natche – songwriter, producer
- Mark Spears – songwriter, producer, strings
- Chester Hansen – songwriter, producer (as part of BADBADNOTGOOD)
- Alexander Sowinski – songwriter, producer (as part of BADBADNOTGOOD)
- Matthew Tavares – songwriter, producer (as part of BADBADNOTGOOD)
- Leland Whitty – songwriter, producer (as part of BADBADNOTGOOD)
- Kamasi Washington – strings
- Kaytranada – additional vocals
- Rat Boy – additional vocals (sample)
Technical
- Derek Ali – mixing
- Tyler Page – mix assistant
- Cyrus Taghipour – mix assistant
Charts
Chart (2017) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] | 35 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[19] | 86 |
France (SNEP)[20] | 122 |
Ireland (IRMA)[21] | 36 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22] | 72 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] | 36 |
Portugal (AFP)[24] | 34 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[25] | 45 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] | 94 |
UK Singles (OCC)[27] | 52 |
US Billboard Hot 100[28] | 43 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] | 25 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[30] | Gold | 500,000 |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- "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.
- 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.
- Jack Smith IV (April 14, 2017). "In one verse, Kendrick Lamar captured the turbulent aftermath of the election". Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- Johnston, Kathleen. "'Lust' is the best track on Kendrick Lamar's new album, Damn". British GQ. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- BADBADNOTGOOD (April 11, 2017). ""LUST."". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
"...produced by @djdahi @sounwavetde with additional vox by @kaytranada on our sample!
- "Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide". Rolling Stone. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- "Lust by Kendrick Lamar on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- "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.
- "Kendrick Lamar's 'Lust' Inspires Short Film About the Life of a Black Man - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved July 18, 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.
- "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: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- "Lescharts.com – Kendrick Lamar – Lust." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – 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.
- "Portuguesecharts.com – 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.
- "Swedishcharts.com – 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. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.