"The Blacker the Berry" is a song by American hip-hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was included as the thirteenth song on the track-listing of his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). "The Blacker the Berry" was released as the second single from the album on February 9, 2015.[1] The song shares its title with the novel The Blacker the Berry by American author Wallace Thurman. The track was produced by Boi-1da, Terrace Martin, and KOZ, and contains a chorus that features uncredited vocals from Jamaican artist Assassin. The album version also contains additional vocals provided by neo soul singer Lalah Hathaway.
A politically charged hip-hop song, "The Blacker the Berry'" received rave reviews from contemporary music critics for its cinematic production, social commentary, and confrontational lyrics. However, it also elicited controversy due to Lamar's commentary on the death of Trayvon Martin. In the United States, it peaked at number sixty-six on the U.S. BillboardHot 100 chart. The single has since been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Background and production
As Lamar's first single following the late 2014 release of "i", "The Blacker the Berry" represents a stylistic and thematic departure from its predecessor, which promoted self-love.[2][3] Unlike the upbeat and optimistic tone of the former, the latter adopts a discordant and intense sound, addressing issues of race and social injustice.[2][3] American record producer and multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin collaborated with musicians including Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Thundercat, and Anna Wise to create the politically charged track.[4] The track features a boom-bap beat and lyrics that affirm Lamar’s African-American heritage while confronting hatred, racism, and hypocrisy.[3] In the lyrics, Lamar reflects critically on his own actions, including his complicity in systemic injustices in ways comparable to law enforcement.[5] The chorus is performed by Jamaican dancehall musician Assassin, who previously appeared on Kanye West's studio album Yeezus (2013).[6][7]
"The Blacker the Berry" has been interpreted as Lamar's response to criticism following his remarks about the shooting of Michael Brown and the subsequent Ferguson unrest,[8] reflectsing the views he expressed regarding Brown’s death.[8][9] In a Billboard interview, when asked if he was ever mistreated in encounters with police, Lamar replied, "plenty of times. All the time."[9] But when questioned about the highly publicized killings of African-Americans by police officers in 2014, Lamar emphasized both the injustice of the incident and the importance of self-respect within the African-American company, stating that "it starts from within. Don't start with just a rally, don't start from looting -- it starts from within."[9] Lamar received public backlash for these statements from audiences, journalists, and fellow musicians, including Azealia Banks, who criticized his perspective as misguided.[8]
The release of "The Blacker the Berry" occurred in the context of commentary by influential rap figures on radio hesitancy to play Lamar's music, with Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC suggesting that broadcasters avoided the track because of its persistent discussion of racial and social issues.[8] Further explaining the song's context, he stated that "people are scared of a young man that looks like that from their neighborhood talking about real issues."[8] Producer Terrace Martin noted that the song resonated with his personal experiences growing up in Los Angeles, observing that messages promoting self-love and anti-violence can be difficult to enact in environments where conflict is prevalent. He emphasized that while Lamar's lyrics advocate for unity and African-American pride, they also confront the harsh realities of street-level tensions that can undermine such messages.[4]
Artwork lawsuit
The single's cover artwork contains a photograph by Giodano Cipriani, depicting a mother breastfeeding her two children,[10] which was photographed in 2011 while he was in Africa.[10] On July 10, 2015, Cipriani filed a lawsuit against Lamar and his associated record labels Top Dawg, Aftermath, and Interscope Records, claiming that they used the photograph without his permission,[10] and demanded that he receive $150,000 for each time it was used.[10][11]
Recording
The track was produced by American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper Terrace Martin, who had previously contributed to the development of fellow West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg's brand after graduating from high school. Martin also worked on studio albums released in 2014 by rappers including Big K.R.I.T. and YG, in addition to his own debut studio album, 3ChordFold (2013). During an interview with Billboard, Martin spoke about the creation of "The Blacker the Berry," revealing that Lamar completed the song's verses before adding the sung sections, while the former helped develop the track’s musical arrangement. Its beat was driven by hard-hitting drums from producer Boi-1da, while Martin contributed jazz elements, particularly toward the song’s conclusion, drawing on influences from Lalah Hathaway and James Fauntleroy.[4]
Martin designed the jazz section at the song's ending to provide a sense of resolution after the intensity of the third verse. He collaborated with Robert Glasper on the Fender Rhodes, with additional contributions from Fauntleroy, Hathaway, and Thundercat on bass, to complete the arrangement. Martin reflected that the record addressed themes that were highly relevant to their lives at the time, describing it as a "soulful" work that combined social commentary with musical sophistication akin to political hip-hop group Public Enemy. The arrangement was intended to balance the confrontational and politically charged lyrics with a jazz-infused resolution, reinforcing the song's exploration of African-American pride and contemporary social issues.[4]
A 30-second sample of Lamar rapping the song's opening lines. He addresses institutional violence and hypocrisy.[12] Lamar raps confrontational lyrics imbued with cultural pride and rage over engulfing production.[13][12]
"The Blacker the Berry" a politically charged hip-hop song with a runtime of five minutes and twenty eight seconds.[4] The track features cinematic production and an unconventional song structure,[14] combining a boom-bap beat with subversive musical elements reminiscent of Parliament-Funkadelic.[2][15] Its lyrics provide pointed social commentary,[14] with Lamar surveying societal issues in a foreboding and urgent manner.[14] His rapping exhibits precise control, maintaining discipline even when employing irregular cadences that deviate from the beat.[2] Unlike his typical melodic phrasing, Lamar delivers each line directly and forcefully, emphasizing the intensity of the song’s message.[2]
The song opens with a dark, looping instrumental, including the repeated phrase, "the blacker the berry, sweeter the juice."[2] Lamar begins by identifying himself as a hypocrite in 2015, establishing the confrontational tone of the track.[16][17] Following the opening lines, he prophesies, "once I finish this witnesses will convey just what I mean."[18] Throughout the song, Lamar celebrates his African-American heritage while bluntly tackling hatred and racism.[3] The first two verses critique racial prejudice in the United States while Lamar simultaneously examines his own complicity, repeatedly referring to himself as "the biggest hypocrite of 2015."[16] In the song's most confrontational passages, he addresses police brutality and the struggles of African-Americans, highlighting his roots and identity.[19] Lamar’s delivery alternates between anger and vulnerability,[2][17] employing a guttural tone that conveys both intensity and clarity.[2] The lyrics combine revolutionary themes with personal reflection, culminating in a final verse that broadens the song’s social critique.[15][16]
Critical reception
"The Blacker the Berry" received widespread acclaim from music critics. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian described the track as remarkable, comparing Lamar's intense vocal delivery to Ice Cube's work, while noting that the song channels the post-Ferguson social climate with a mix of fury and self-reflection.[18]Pitchfork selected the track as their "Best New Track", with reviewer Jayson Greene identifying it as one of Lamar's most focused and emotionally affecting performances.[2] Steven J. Horowitz of Billboard gave the song four-and-a-half out of five stars, emphasizing its powerful engagement with the BlackLives Matter movement.[17] Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly described the song as galvanizing,[14] while David Jeffries of AllMusic and Patrick Ryan of USA Today highlighted it as a standout track on the album, particularly noting its darker, more confrontational tone.[15][19]
Controversy
The song generated controversy for lines in which Lamar reflects on violence within the African-American community, including: "So why did I weep when Trayvon Martin was in the street, when gang-banging make me kill a nigga blacker than me? Hypocrite!", which some listeners interpreted the lyrics as a critique of the black community itself.[20] During an interview with MTV News, while breaking down To Pimp A Butterfly at the W New York Downtown, Lamar spoke about the single, his Billboard interview, and the criticism he's faced.[16] Lamar clarified that the lyrics were autobiographical, drawing on his personal experiences with gang culture and the systemic pressures he observed in his environment. He emphasized that the song examines his own actions and complicity rather than serving as a general judgment of others, and he asked audiences to consider his background and perspective when evaluating the track.[16]
Live performance
At the 58th Grammy Awards, Lamar performed a medley of "The Blacker the Berry" and "Alright".[21] Introduced by actor Don Cheadle, Lamar began the set marching onstage in chains, with a prison-like backdrop during the song, before transitioning into "Alright", performed around a symbolic bonfire. The performance concluded with an untitled freestyle featuring an illuminated outline of Compton, Lamar's hometown, in the outline of Africa.[21] Throughout the freestyle, Lamar makes a poignant reference to February 26, the date of Trayvon Martin’s death in 2012.[21]
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