Reportedly inspired by a trip Lamar took to Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben Island during a visit to South Africa in 2014, this song finds the Compton native hoping that he continues the legacy of the South African icon. Lamar explained to MTV News: "We're so confined with hatred and want to point out people's flaws that we don't see the big picture in what they're doing. And it's been done with leaders way before my time. They did it to Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, feel me? So who am I? I'm just a man, that's why we call it 'Mortal Man.'"
The song features excerpts from Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti's "I No Get Eye for Back," the B-side to his 1974 cut "Alagbon Close."
Lamar interviews on the outro his hero Tupac Shakur, asking him questions about how he dealt with fame and success as well as what is in store for his generation. The late rapper's answers are cut from a interview with the Swedish radio show P3 Soul, recorded in November 1994. "It was Kendrick's idea," Tom Whalley, who signed Tupac to Interscope in 1991 and is working on the rapper's estate, told Billboard magazine. "I thought it was a brilliant idea, and they sent me portions of what he was thinking of doing creatively around it, and I supported it. I knew Kendrick was a fan and influenced by Tupac, and I always do what I think Tupac would do."
See your Spotify stats (with number of plays and minutes listened) and discover new music.
Music data, artist images, album covers, and song previews are provided by Spotify. Spotify is a trademark of Spotify AB.