Kendrick Lamar's New Video Has Us Seeing Sextuple

The artist uses some shocking deep fakes to rap as various controversial celebrities.

POSTED BY CLAUDIA STEWART

Yes, you’re seeing double; in fact, you’re seeing six different faces. Kendrick Lamar directed and dropped his new music video for “The Heart Part 5” yesterday, and since its release, there’s been a lot of chatter surrounding the faces Lamar chose to include as deep fakes. While each of the six faces in the video (Kanye West, Kobe Bryant, Jussie Smollett, O.J. Simpson, Nipsey Hussle, and Will Smith) have all been in the tabloids for various conflicts, some have more baggage than others.

Lamar’s fans have been quick to break down multiple themes and different easter eggs hidden in the video and the track’s artwork. Many Twitter users believe that the reasoning behind Lamar’s use of the six men is to represent the different obstacles that black men face in America. His fans have given each of the men their own obstacle; for example, when Lamar is rapping with OJ Simpson’s face on top of his, the lyrics represent the violence black men face, while the Kobe Bryant deep fake represents the barriers that tried to prevent him from being viewed as a hero for young black men. In addition to the themes within the video, fans have pointed out the meaning behind Lamar’s single cover art. The artwork for “The Heart Part 5” consists of six different hands, one for each man included, representing the societal blocks that tie black men together. 

While “The Heart Part 5” had an unexpected release, Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, drops on May 13th!

Up Next, Ella Mai is Back

UP NEXT ON THE HITLIST
Ok