"HUMBLE." is released

Why it matters

The line on "HUMBLE." that triggered the most discussion ("I'm so fuckin' sick and tired of the Photoshop / show me somethin' natural") was widely interpreted as a critique of body-image standards in pop culture and beauty advertising, and equally widely critiqued as a kind of policing of women's choices. Kendrick himself, in subsequent interviews, was relatively measured about the line's intent. The discourse moved on. The other most-discussed element of the song is the "sit down, be humble" chorus. It is, structurally, an instruction. Kendrick is telling whoever is listening to scale back their ambitions, their boasting, their cosmetic enhancements. The conceit is unusual for a major-label rap single in 2017, an era when most commercial rap was about doing the opposite of being humble. The fact that the song was a #1 hit anyway is part of what makes it interesting. Kendrick told a generation of rappers to be quiet and the generation listened and bought the record. You can read the song many ways. You probably should.