These Walls (Kendrick Lamar song)
| "These Walls" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Kendrick Lamar featuring Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat | ||||
| from the album To Pimp a Butterfly | ||||
| Released | October 13, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2012-2013 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:01 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Kendrick Lamar singles chronology | ||||
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| Bilal singles chronology | ||||
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| Anna Wise singles chronology | ||||
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| Thundercat singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "These Walls" on YouTube | ||||
"These Walls" is a song by American rapper
Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards on 15 February 2016.[3]
Lamar has stated that this song is his favourite from the album.
Lyrical interpretation
Rolling Stone stated the song "teases the dark underbelly of sudden fame and offers a peek at the rapper's life when he hit his lowest points",[4] while Billboard editor Kris Ex wrote that Lamar is "pondering sex and existence in equal measure; it's a yoni metaphor about the power of peace, with sugar walls being escape and real walls being obstacles."[5]
Music video
The song's music video premiered on October 28, 2015, on Lamar's
SZA finds Lamar crashing through her apartment wall. By the end of the night, the cops come calling and Holcomb's character gets arrested.[7] The video ends with "To be continued". For Rap-Up, "the Compton rapper shows his comedic side (and dance moves) in the cinematic clip."[8]
Live performances
On May 27, 2015, Lamar performed the song live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, complete with a white-clad couple who danced around the stage as a nearby artist painted a portrait of them.[9] "These Walls" was featured on the Kunta's Groove Sessions tour.[10]
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 12 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 94 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] | 34 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[14] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[15] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Picks Fifth Single from "To Pimp A Butterfly"". 24Urban.com. September 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
- ^ Jeffries, David (March 16, 2015). "To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ^ "2016 Grammy nominees". grammy.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly': A Track-by-Track Guide". Rolling Stone. March 16, 2015. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
- ^ Ex, Kris (March 16, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Challenges and Rewards: Album Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
- ^ Rose, Lilah (October 28, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar Feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat "These Walls" Video". hotnewhiphop. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ^ "Video: Kendrick Lamar - These Walls". rap-up. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ^ "Video: Kendrick Lamar - These Walls". Rap-Up. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- ^ "Watch Kendrick Lamar's Stunning Performance Of 'These Walls' On 'Ellen'". MTV. May 27, 2015. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Brings Spiritual Healing to 'Kunta's Groove Sessions' In New York: Live Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – These Walls". Music Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
External links
- "These Walls" Music video on YouTube