LOYALTY. FEAT. RIHANNA.

"LOYALTY." is a deep and contemplative exploration of the concept of allegiance in the modern world, particularly within the context of fame, relationships, and the music industry. The song features Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna questioning the very foundation of loyalty, dissecting whether it is genuine and unconditional or merely transactional and dependent on material wealth and status. Kendrick repeatedly asks, "Tell me who you loyal to," and lists potential superficial anchors for this loyalty, such as money, fame, drugs, and luxurious lifestyles. He uses the metaphor of a Ferrari not starting to question if the loyalty would remain if the riches were gone, emphasizing his search for an allegiance that comes "from the heart." Rihanna's verse extends this examination, turning the focus inward to self-loyalty and the prioritization of allegiance to partners, family, and friends. She challenges the listener by asking who they would be willing to make ultimate sacrifices for, suggesting that true loyalty is a profound commitment. Ultimately, the song serves as a critique of superficiality and a celebration of genuine, heartfelt connection, questioning the stability of relationships in a world where values can be easily compromised.

The narrative of "LOYALTY." unfolds as a deep, introspective dialogue between Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna, who collectively probe the very essence of allegiance and trust in their personal and professional lives. The song begins with a sense of being 'geeked and fired up,' suggesting a state of heightened awareness or intoxication, not just from substances but from the dizzying highs of success. This opening sets the stage for a critical examination of the world around them, a world where everything seems tantalizing and 'to die for,' hinting at the seductive yet dangerous nature of fame and the music industry.

The central question, repeated as a powerful mantra, is "Tell me who you loyal to." This isn't a simple query but a multifaceted investigation into the foundations of their relationships. Kendrick Lamar dissects the nature of loyalty by questioning if it's tied to superficial, material possessions and status symbols. He rhetorically asks if loyalty is dependent on money, fame, substances, or the thrill of a luxury lifestyle ('comin' down with the loud pipes in the rain'). He pushes further, questioning the sincerity of such bonds with a poignant line: "Is it unconditional when the 'Rari don't start?" This metaphor cuts to the core of the issue, asking if support and allegiance would vanish if the material wealth and success were to disappear. He craves a loyalty that comes 'from the heart,' one that is genuine and not transactional.

Rihanna's verse powerfully complements Kendrick's, shifting the perspective to the internal and the deeply personal. She asserts her own established position and self-worth, declaring, "I'm a savage, I'm an asshole, I'm a king." This is a proclamation of self-loyalty and authenticity in an industry that often demands conformity. Her part of the dialogue expands the definition of loyalty beyond romantic or business partnerships to include allegiance to family, friends, and, most crucially, to oneself. She poses questions that demand deep self-reflection: "Do it start with your woman or your man? Do it end with your family and friends? How you loyal to yourself in advance?" Her final, stark questions—"Is it anybody that you would lie for? Anybody you would slide for? Anybody you would die for?"—elevate the concept to a matter of ultimate sacrifice and commitment. The line "That's what God for" adds a spiritual dimension, suggesting that this ultimate form of loyalty is perhaps divine or something one should reserve for a higher power.

Throughout the song, both artists trade bars that reflect a partnership built on mutual understanding and a shared skepticism of a fickle world. They present themselves as a 'bad girl' and a 'bad boy' united against superficiality, their bond tested but resilient. The song is a journey from the intoxicating allure of fame to a grounded, sober reflection on what truly matters. It's a search for something real in an often-artificial environment, a plea for unwavering commitment, and a declaration that true loyalty is a rare, invaluable, and perhaps even sacred, virtue.

"LOYALTY." was created for Kendrick Lamar's fourth studio album, DAMN., released in 2017. The song's production was a collaborative effort by DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The initial idea for the track began with a sample of Bruno Mars's "24K Magic." Producer Terrace Martin received the sample from Khrysis (a producer under 9th Wonder) and was inspired to manipulate it heavily. He described wanting to "replay it, reverse it, change the key, add a third harmony—do all these things to it. But still make it sound just like the sample, but with a different edge." After developing the new, warped version of the sample, he brought it to DJ Dahi and Sounwave, and together they built the drum track. According to Martin, as soon as the drums were laid down, Kendrick Lamar immediately had a vision for the song, stating, "'Imma get Rihanna on this.' That day." The collaboration was seen as a significant feature, with Lamar choosing quality over quantity for the guest artists on DAMN. The song was recorded over several days in 2016 at No Excuses and Windmark Studios in California. In 2020, the song faced a copyright infringement lawsuit from producer Terrence Hayes, who claimed the track lifted from his 2011 song of the same name, alleging that producer Terrace Martin had prior access to his work.

"LOYALTY." features a fluid and intricate rhythmic structure that complements its conversational and inquisitive tone. Kendrick Lamar is known for his complex rhyme schemes, and this track is no exception, often utilizing internal rhymes, multisyllabic rhymes, and slant rhymes rather than a simple, predictable end-rhyme scheme. For instance, in the lines, "Tell me who you loyal to / Is it money? Is it fame? Is it weed? Is it drink? / Is it comin' down with the loud pipes in the rain?," he creates a rhythmic cadence through the repetition of the "Is it" structure. The flow is smooth and syncopated, gliding over the mid-tempo, hypnotic beat. The rhythm of the lyrical delivery from both Kendrick and Rihanna often plays against the main musical rhythm, creating a dynamic tension. The tempo is steady, providing a solid foundation for the complex vocal performances. The overall feel is less aggressive than other tracks on DAMN., allowing the lyrical content and the nuanced vocal deliveries to take center stage. The interplay between Kendrick's rap and Rihanna's melodic, sung-rap style adds another layer of rhythmic texture to the track.

"LOYALTY." showcases a blend of literary and musical techniques that enhance its thematic depth. Musically, the song is built on a heavily manipulated sample of Bruno Mars's "24K Magic." The producers reversed, pitched-up, and chopped the sample, making it almost unrecognizable and creating a unique, hypnotic, and slightly anxious atmosphere that is described as "equal parts pop, funk, and brooding rap hymnal." This production choice gives the track a smooth, radio-friendly feel while maintaining an experimental edge. Vocally, the song features a dynamic interplay between Kendrick Lamar's intricate rap verses and Rihanna's sung-rap delivery, which was noted for being more rap-focused than her usual hook features. Her confident and 'savage' tone contrasts with Kendrick's more introspective and questioning flow. The use of a pitched-up vocal sample in the intro is a characteristic of the "chipmunk soul" subgenre. Lyrically, the song employs rhetorical questions as its primary device to engage the listener and drive its central theme of questioning allegiance. Lamar's verses utilize internal rhymes and a conversational, yet complex, rhythm that has become a hallmark of his style. The structure is a call-and-response, with Kendrick posing a problem (the nature of loyalty) and Rihanna expanding and challenging it.

"LOYALTY." achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim upon its release. It was the second single from the Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN. and peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was praised by critics as a standout track, often highlighted for its radio-friendly appeal without sacrificing lyrical depth, and for the powerful collaboration between Lamar and Rihanna. Its most significant cultural milestone was winning the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. The music video, directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies, was also highly acclaimed for its stunning and surreal visuals, which depicted the artists in various scenarios testing their trust and allegiance. The song solidified the themes of introspection and duality present throughout the DAMN. album and showcased Kendrick's ability to merge conscious hip-hop with mainstream appeal. It remains a key track in both artists' discographies, celebrated for its smart production and enduring thematic relevance.

The central theme of "LOYALTY." is itself a powerful symbol, representing the struggle for genuine connection in a superficial world. The lyrics are rich with metaphors that explore this theme:

• Material Possessions as Conditional Loyalty: Kendrick uses luxury items like a "'Rari" (Ferrari) as metaphors for conditional loyalty. The question, "Is it unconditional when the 'Rari don't start?" symbolizes whether a person's allegiance would remain if wealth and status were to vanish. It critiques relationships built on a foundation of materialism rather than genuine affection.
• "Kung Fu Kenny": This alter ego, mentioned in the song, symbolizes a disciplined, masterful version of Kendrick. It represents the focus and strength required to navigate the challenges of the industry and to stay true to one's principles, embodying a form of self-loyalty.
• Dying for Someone/Something: Rihanna's lines, "Anybody you would lie for? / Anybody you would slide for? / Anybody you would die for?", use the ultimate sacrifice as a metaphor for the highest form of loyalty. This elevates the concept from mere support to a profound, almost sacred bond, which Kendrick then connects to divine faith with the closing line, "That's what God for."

The most significant recurring motif in "LOYALTY." is the word "loyalty" itself, chanted as a mantra-"Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty"-in the chorus. This repetition hammers home the song's central theme and transforms the word into a symbol of the very concept being scrutinized. Another key recurring phrase is the question "Tell me who you loyal to," which acts as the song's primary structural and thematic anchor. It is repeated by both Kendrick and Rihanna, creating a persistent dialogue that invites listeners to reflect on their own allegiances. The juxtaposition of the "bad girl" (Rihanna) and "bad boy" (Kendrick) is another recurring motif, establishing them as a unified pair navigating a treacherous world together. This pairing reinforces the idea of a specific, exclusive loyalty between them. Finally, the list of material temptations ("money," "fame," "weed," "drink") is a recurring motif that represents the superficial foundations upon which false loyalty is often built.