Kendrick Lamar - N95 (audio) -

: The second verse addresses a world in "panic," referencing the chaos of the pandemic, crashing markets, and the music industry’s tendency to keep artists "in a box". Production and Composition

The track’s title refers to the N95 respirator masks made famous during the COVID-19 pandemic, using them as a metaphor for the metaphorical "masks" people wear to hide their true selves.

"N95" is the second track and lead single from Kendrick Lamar’s fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers , released on May 13, 2022. Produced by Boi-1da, Sounwave, Jahaan Sweet, and Baby Keem, the song serves as a high-octane cultural critique of materialism and performative identity. Kendrick Lamar - N95 (Audio)

: Lamar uses the repeated command "Take off" (anaphora used 27 times in the first verse) to demand that listeners—and himself—remove superficial traits like "clout chasing," expensive jewelry, and "fake woke" activism.

"N95" is characterized by a "bleakly catchy, bass-driven instrumental" with rapid-fire delivery. : The second verse addresses a world in

Directed by Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free, the music video was released on May 14, 2022, and is known for its striking, avant-garde imagery.

: He argues that many people use material wealth and social status to mask an internal "ugliness" or lack of authentic identity. Morale & The Big Steppers , released on May 13, 2022

: Parts of the song, specifically the bridge and third verse, were originally intended for the track "Vent" on Baby Keem's album The Melodic Blue . Genre : The song is classified as conscious hip-hop trap. Visuals and Music Video