Watch the Party Die explained

Watch the Party Die
Cover:Watch the Party Die by Kendrick Lamar.jpg
Type:song
Artist:Kendrick Lamar
Recorded:2024
Genre:Hardcore hip hop

On September 11, 2024, the American rapper Kendrick Lamar released an untitled song exclusively to his Instagram account. Following its surprise release, media outlets referred to the untitled song as "Watch the Party Die" after its chorus.[1] [2] [3]

The song was released 3 days after the announcement that Lamar would be headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Following Lamar's feud with Drake, "Watch the Party Die" concerns Lamar's frustrations with the music industry; specific critiques were aimed towards hip hop culture and media.

Background

American rapper Kendrick Lamar announced that he would be headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on September 8, 2024.[4] [5] Despite the news being well received by critics, it polarized the rap industry as some believed Lil Wayne should have been the headliner due to the event being held in his hometown of New Orleans.[6] [7]

Lamar released an untitled song with no prior announcement to his Instagram account on September 11 at approximately 8 p.m. ET; the same time the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) commenced.[8] [9] The song's cover art is taken from an eBay listing for a pair of black Nike Air Force 1s, which were purchased shortly after the song's release.[10]

Composition

"Watch The Party Die" was the first song to be released by Lamar following the number one single "Not Like Us" and his highly publicized feud with Canadian rapper Drake. Though it references Drake and the feud, critics noted the song was not a diss track.[11] Instead, the lyrics critique materialism, influencers and celebrity culture; the song's release during the VMAs was perceived as being a direct reaction to it.[12] Lamar expresses his frustrations with the music industry as a whole, particularly focusing on the hip hop industry.[13]

The track, like previous standalone Lamar single "The Heart Part 5", pays tribute to rapper Nipsey Hussle following his death in 2019. It also references Christian rappers Dee-1 and Lecrae.[14] Both artists responded positivelyinitially through posts on X, and later through response tracks.[15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-09-12 . DJ Akademiks believes Kendrick Lamar took shots at him in new track 'Watch the Party Die' . 2024-09-13 . The Express Tribune . en.
  2. Web site: Horowitz . Steven J. . 2024-09-12 . Kendrick Lamar Drops First New Song Since 'Not Like Us' . 2024-09-13 . Variety . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2024-09-12 . Who Is Kendrick Lamar Talking About On His New Song 'Watch The Party Die'? . 2024-09-13 . HipHopDX . en.
  4. Web site: Aswad . Jem . September 8, 2024 . Kendrick Lamar to Perform at 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show . September 13, 2024 . . en-US.
  5. Web site: Nadkarni . Rohan . September 8, 2024 . Kendrick Lamar will headline Super Bowl halftime show . September 13, 2024 . . en.
  6. Web site: Johnson . Arianna . September 9, 2024 . Nicki Minaj And Others Seemingly Call Out Jay-Z For Picking Kendrick Lamar For Super Bowl Over Lil Wayne: What To Know . September 13, 2024 . . en.
  7. Lee . Chantelle . September 9, 2024 . Some Are Criticizing Kendrick Lamar Headlining Super Bowl . September 13, 2024 . . en.
  8. Web site: DeVille . Chris . September 12, 2024 . Kendrick Lamar Drops First New Song Since "Not Like Us" . September 12, 2024 . . en.
  9. Web site: Strauss . Matthew . September 12, 2024 . Kendrick Lamar Drops New Song on Instagram . September 12, 2024 . . en-US.
  10. Web site: Bal . Aaratrika . September 12, 2024 . Worn-out Nike Air Force 1s featured in Kendrick Lamar's cover art sells out on eBay hours after new song release . September 13, 2024 . Sportskeeda.
  11. Web site: Cowen . Trace William . 2024-09-12 . Kendrick Lamar Drops New Track Amid Ongoing Super Bowl Discourse: 'Time to Watch the Party Die' . September 12, 2024 . . en.
  12. Web site: Squires . Bethy . September 11, 2024 . Kendrick Lamar Shocks World by Not Torching Drake on New Song . September 12, 2024 . . en.
  13. Web site: Kendrick Lamar drops first song since 'Not Like Us' and fans are eager to work out the meaning . 2024-09-13 . Capital XTRA . en.
  14. Web site: Trapp . Malcolm . Kendrick Lamar Declares It's Time To "Watch The Party Die" On First Single Since "Not Like Us" . 2024-09-13 . Rap-Up.
  15. Web site: Lecrae Responds to Kendrick Lamar's 'Watch The Party Die' Mention With a Unifying Track of His Own. Uproxx. September 15, 2024. Flisadam. Pointer.
  16. News: Dee-1 Fires Shot at Joe Budden on His Response to Kendrick Lamar's New Song. September 19, 2024. iHeart Radio. Tony M.. Centeno.

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