Kendrick Lamar has just released his first new song in more than 5 years. Just weeks ago, Kendrick announced that his new album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, would be arriving on Friday, May 13. Days ago, Lamar fueled the hype for his forthcoming work by posting a photo suggesting the work would be a double album. Now, the music portion of the rollout begins.

As was the case with 2017’s DAMN., Kendrick kicks off his next musical chapter with a new installment of his “The Heart” series. The “Heart, Pt. 5,” like other chapters is a stream of consciousness about how Kendrick is feeling about the world, at the moment. In the second verse, he raps “I said I’d do this for my culture / To let y’all know what a ni**a look like in a bulletproof Rover / In my mama’s sofa was a doo-doo popper / Hair trigger, walk up closer, ain’t no Photoshoppin’ / Friends bipolar, grab you by your pockets / No option if you froze up, always play the offense / Ni**as goin’ to work and sellin’ work, late for work / Workin’ late, prayin’ for work, but he on paperwork / That’s the culture, point the finger, promote ya / Remote location, witness protection, they gon’ hold ya / The streets got me f*cked up, y’all can miss me.”

Kendrick Lamar Hints That He Is Releasing A Double Album

The “Heart Part 5” video appears as if it will be straight-forward, with Kendrick rapping in front of a red screen, wearing a white t-shirt with a black bandana. However, as the visual progress, Kendrick’s face begins to morph into that of several notable figures, including OJ Simpson, Kanye West, Jussie Smollet, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle.

Anchored in the soulful sample of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” the song does not disappoint. If this rollout plays like the one for DAMN., we should expect the album’s official first single, ahead of Friday. Until then, welcome back, Kendrick. You’ve been missed.

Kendrick Lamar Releases “The Heart, Pt. 4”

“The Heart Part 5” is also on the official Ambrosia For Heads playlist.

#BonusBeat: A 2021 episode of Ambrosia For Heads‘ What’s The Headline podcast that examines Kendrick Lamar’s exit and Top Dawg Entertainment’s rich legacy:

Correction: An earlier version of this story quoted lyrics from “The Heart, Pt. 4,” instead of “The Heart, Pt. 5.”