May 3, 2016 Taken from pitchfork.com When Kendrick debuted fragments of “untitled 5” during his performance at this year's Grammys, it was as an epilogue to his raucous, survivalist anthem “Alright.” And it was also the exclamation point capping a series of live performances featuring unreleased songs. “See I'm living with anxiety, ducking sobriety/ f---ing up the system, I ain't f---ing with society/ Justice ain't free, therefore justice ain't me,” he barked at a Staples Center crowd, shackled and surrounded by black men in prison jumpsuits. Following “Alright,” it read like a glimpse of momentary doubt, a little concession to the overwhelming odds faced. Why do you want to see a good man with a broken heart? Maybe we won’t be alright after all. His dead-eyed stare and his snarling raps sold this dark alternative. “Once upon a time I used to go to church and talk to God/ Now I'm thinkin' to myself, hollow tips is all I got,” he spit. Maybe there’s really only one way out. The complete “untitled 5” is found on untitled unmastered., a collection of To p---- A Butterfly demos released just last night. This version is untethered to the hopeful exuberance of “Alright.” It fully explores how power disparities create street violence, and how that violence impacts the psyche, shaping one's sense of normality. It grapples with sanity in the context of a human framework that doesn’t make sense. It wonders if the prerequisites for lucidity are skewed in the hood, if it’s even possible to think rationally trapped in a loaded reality. Kendrick, along with TDEcohorts Punch and Jay Rock, tackle how classism feeds the prison-industrial complex, and in turn, commodifies black violence. “untitled 5” is driven by this internal conversation, and Kendrick jackhammers through, as a lurching bass line swells around him. He and Rock rap in tandem—just before an eight-second Eric Dolphy sample closes “5” out—voicing the impact of prisons, both literal and figurative: “Professional dream killers reason why I'm awake,” he says. The same cycle that ravages black communities across America pushed Kendrick Lamar to speak for them. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/18072-kendrick-lamar-untitled-05-09212014/
May 3, 2016 i honestly think this is my favourite track off UU. i completely overlooked this track for some reason, been on repeat for a few weeks now
May 11, 2016 slept on this one when UU first came out because I thought the intro to this song was a too long, but now I would put this song in my top 5 off that album.
May 11, 2016 ive grown an appreciation for the intro...like when im driving around on late nights... its a smooth track to listen to
May 18, 2016 Im really enjoying the live version of u5, I wish the recorded version included the beginning lyrics like the live version...it made me think of The Blacker The Berry ("so why did i weep when Trayvon Martin was in the street..") and how Kendrick feels about being part of black on black crime while feeling sympathy for Trayvon Martin. Hands down one of my favorite tracks ...It's been a week already I'm feelin weak already Got me at peak Possibility of what could be Situation is heavy I got to prove On February 26 I lost my life too It's like im here in a dark dream Nightmare hear screams recorded Say that it sound distorted But I know who it was That was me yelling for help When he drowned in his blood Why did he defend himself ? Why couldn't he throw a punch ? And for the community ? Do you know what this does ? Add to a trail of hatred. 20 12 was taken For the world to see Set us back another 400 years This is modern day slavery The reason why I'm by your house You threw your brief case all on the couch I plan on creepin through your d--- door And blowin out Every piece of ya brain Till ya son jumped in ya arm Started the engine and sped off in the rain 100 on the dash with my bible in the trunk Vodka on the top ?* A binocular I'm drunk?* I cannot could make him popular Poppin when I want I cannot could make him popular Poppin when I want See I'm living with anxiety Ducking a sobriety Messing with the system I ain't playin with society Justice ain't free Therefore justice ain't me So i justify his name On an obituary. Why you wanna see a good man with a broken heart? Once upon a time I go to church and talk to God Now I'm thinkin to myself Hollow tips is all I got Now I'm drinkin by myself At the intersection parked Watchin when you walk inside your house You threw your brief case all on the couch I plan on creepin through ya d--- door And blowin out Every piece of ya brain Till ya son jumped in ya arm Started the engine and sped off in the rain...." @4:00
