Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
New Jack Swing pioneer Raphael Saadiq returns today with Jimmy Lee, his first solo album in eight years. The closing track, “Rearview,” features a surprise appearance from Kendrick Lamar, who is credited as a songwriter but doesn’t appear as a listed feature.
Rather than a proper guest verse, the Compton rapper delivers rap-sung lyrics:
How can I change the world, but can’t change myself?
How can I please the world but not God himself?
How can I have the world, still need some help?
How can I see the world, stuck in this box?
“Rearview” isn’t Kendrick’s first unlisted feature this year. In July, he contributed uncredited vocals to the chorus of the Revenge of the Dreamers III cut, “Under the Sun.”
Kendrick’s 2019 hasn’t been lacking for guest appearances, uncredited or not. In addition to contributing high-profile verses to Beyoncé’s “NILE” and 2 Chainz’s “Momma I Hit a Lick,” he recently lent TDE signee SiR a hand on “Hair Down.”
Listen to the song above, and read all the lyrics to Raphael Saadiq’s “Rearview” on Genius now.
