Through 5 studio albums, 50 Grammy nominations, 17 Grammy wins and a Pulitzer Prize for music, Kendrick Lamar has proven himself one of the most successful and respected rappers in all of hip-hop. Kendrick is well known for painting lyrical masterpieces that explore very personal but relatable themes. Like other successful artists, he has a catalog of videos to go along with his biggest hits, but the visual imagery and artistic direction of these videos stands above most of his peers in the industry.

Continue on to learn more about some of Kendrick Lamar’s best music videos and the themes behind them.

Alright

The music video for Alright is a sharp critique of systemic oppression in the United States, specifically in Kendrick’s hometown of Los Angeles. Through surreal imagery like Kendrick soaring above the streets of LA and police carrying him like he’s in a chariot, he presents both a condemnation of police violence and a powerful statement about Black perseverance. Director Colin Tilley's blend of symbolism and stark realism alongside Kendrick Lamar’s GRAMMY-award winning songwriting show viewers that even in the face of adversity, collective unity and hope endure.

Family Ties

Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar

Las Vegas recording artist Baby Keem won his first Grammy award for his song Family Ties, featuring Kendrick Lamar — his older cousin. In the song’s second verse, Kendrick’s entrance is marked by a dramatic shift in tone from Baby Keem's exuberance to Kendrick's more introspective and chaotic presence. The imagery plays on themes of royalty and downfall, symbolizing Kendrick’s place a top the music industry and the burdens that come with it

The Heart Part 5

The 2022 single The Heart Part 5, is the popular visual masterpiece where deepfake technology is used to transform Kendrick Lamar’s face into those of influential Black figures like Kanye West, Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle and a few others. These seamless transformations symbolize the pain, triumph, and the struggle for survival in all different walks of life in the Black community. Against the minimalist backdrop, Kendrick's expressions and movements amplify the song's emotional weight and create a striking contrast between being visually simple and lyrically complex. Through all the transformations, the video serves as a visceral reflection of society and a call for his people to learn from the past.

Swimming Pools

The music video for the 2012 hit Swimming Pools, directed by Jerome D, dives deep into the perils of alcoholism and peer pressure. Kendrick appears in various party scenes that escalate in intensity and symbolize the seductive and destructive nature of drinking culture. The recurring motif of Kendrick free falling into a pool of liquor poignantly illustrates the helplessness he feels while trying to meet society’s pressure to conform. Notably, the video's dark, moody lighting and slow-motion effects enhance the sense of disorientation and emphasize internal conflict Kendrick speaks on.

LOYALTY

LOYALTY, featuring Rihanna, plays like a cinematic thriller that explores the complexities of trust and fidelity in relationships. Directors Dave Meyers and The Little Homies (a directing duo comprised of Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free) use surreal imagery, like Kendrick dangling Rihanna over the edge of a building, to embody the tension and fragility that often accompanies loyalty. Many of the shots, like the car crash scene, symbolize the unwavering commitment required from two people to be loyal to each other.

The tense interrogation room setting in DNA features Don Cheadle as an authority figure interrogating Kendrick Lamar. The start of the video and song is a metaphor for the damaging effect negative stereotypes can have on Black Americans. Kendrick performs against shifting backdrops of the Compton, California streets in the second half of the video. Ultimately, DNA is a raw declaration of pride, power, and defiance.

HUMBLE

HUMBLE was directed by Dave Meyers and the Little Homies, who paired striking imagery with Kendrick's razor-sharp commentary on fame and self-perception. Each shot depicts the paradoxes Kendrick explores in his lyrics, such as when he places himself and his label mates in Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. to call out the cute of selfishness and vanity that surrounds him. The quick camera cuts and surreal compositions mirror Kendrick's unpredictable flow and lyrical depth, and draw viewers into a kaleidoscope-like experience. Ultimately, HUMBLE is a fearless statement that challenges everyone to reconsider their positions on success, power, and self-awareness.