Throughout the massive project's runtime, Kendrick gives his thoughts on many current events, such as Kyrie Irving's anti-vaxx stance and Drake and Kanye West's reunion. On his songs "We Cry Together" and "Mr. Morale," the rapper touches on another hot-button topic: R. Kelly.
"We Cry Together" finds Kendrick in an intense domestic dispute with feature Taylour Paige. The two exchange heated bars, with Paige at one point yelling, "You the reason Harvey Weinstein had to see his conclusion / You the reason R. Kelly can't recognize that he's abusive." Without pause, Kendrick responds: "Man, shut the f**k up, we all know you still playin' his music."
Kendrick also mentions Kelly on "Mr. Morale," rapping, "I think about Robert Kelly / If he weren't molested, I wonder if life'll fail him." Here, Lamar is referencing the fact that R. Kelly himself was abused as a child.
Check out both songs below, as well as Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which is out on Spotify and Apple Music.