Why Kendrick Lamar just re-released DAMN. in reverse
'It’s something that we definitely premeditated while we were in the studio'
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Kendrick Lamar put out a Collector's Edition of DAMN. today featuring black and white portrait cover art in the style of the original release.
It doesn't feature any new tracks, sadly, but it does switch up the tracklist, turning it on its head.
K-Dot didn't provide clarification with the re-release, but he's spoken about the reversal before.
"I think like a week after the album came out, [fans] realized you can play the album backwards," he told MTV News in August. "It plays as a full story and even a better rhythm. It’s one of my favorite rhythms and tempos within the album. It’s something that we definitely premeditate while we’re in the studio."
He continued of the reverse order: "I don’t think the story necessarily changes, I think the feel changes. The initial vibe listening from the top all the way to the bottom is...this aggression and this attitude. You know, ‘DNA,’ and exposing who I really am. You listen from the back end, and it’s almost the duality and the contrast of the intricate Kendrick Lamar. Both of these pieces are who I am."
DAMN. COLLECTORS EDITION. is streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Google Play and Amazon Music, and can be bought on iTunes and Best Buy.
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