"All The Stars" by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA is a dynamic fusion of hip-hop and R&B that serves as the lead single for the Black Panther soundtrack. From the moment Kendrick's muffled opening verse drops over the cosmic production, listeners are drawn into a sonic journey that mirrors the themes of the film—strength, perseverance, and introspection. The seamless handoff between Kendrick’s raw, sharp verses and SZA’s ethereal chorus creates a unique synergy that perfectly captures the spirit of Black Panther. The track blends social commentary with emotional vulnerability, making it a standout anthem from the album.
Kendrick's Gripping Verse: Confronting Expectations
Kendrick’s verse, filled with gritty confrontations and reflections on fame and loyalty, sets the tone for the song. His lyrics cut through the glimmer of success, calling out false expectations and societal pressures. The frustration Kendrick expresses is tangible, yet it feels balanced by his resolve to remain authentic. His raw delivery contrasts well with the almost dreamlike quality of the production, creating a sense of tension and release that makes his verses hit harder. The distorted vocals scattered throughout the song add a layer of intensity and make SZA’s entrance even more powerful.
SZA’s Chorus: A Beacon of Hope
SZA’s chorus, which feels like a breath of fresh air after Kendrick’s pointed verse, elevates the track to another level. Her vocal delivery is infectious and emotionally charged, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the chaos. "All the stars are closer" is a metaphor that speaks to reaching for greatness, no matter how distant or challenging it may seem. SZA’s verse later in the song complements Kendrick’s themes of ego, control, and self-awareness, as she delivers a heartfelt message about resilience and inner strength.
Production: A Sonic Masterpiece
The production, with its celestial synths and sweeping basslines, underscores the song’s otherworldly feel. It complements the larger narrative of Black Panther, drawing listeners into a futuristic yet culturally grounded soundscape. The song’s arrangement, with its minimalistic beats and layered instrumentation, ensures that both Kendrick and SZA’s vocals are at the forefront, allowing the lyrics to resonate deeply. The track’s pacing builds towards a satisfying climax, where Kendrick’s introspective pre-chorus gives way to SZA’s uplifting hook.
An Anthem of Empowerment
"All The Stars" is a brilliant example of Kendrick and SZA’s ability to craft a song that is both sonically captivating and thematically rich. It serves not only as a memorable piece of the Black Panther soundtrack but also as a standalone anthem of empowerment and self-discovery. The collaboration between these two artists feels effortless, creating a song that continues to resonate long after its release, capturing the essence of reaching for greatness in the face of adversity.
Listen to Kendrick Lamar All The Stars
Kendrick Lamar All The Stars Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "All The Stars" by Kendrick Lamar is a powerful exploration of love, self-reflection, and the complex intersection of personal ambition and vulnerability. Featuring SZA, the song blends themes of trust, ego, and the search for guidance through symbolic imagery, such as the stars, which represent both ancestral wisdom and aspirations. At its core, the track delves into the struggles of love and relationships, questioning the emotional toll they take while also celebrating the empowerment that comes with personal growth and understanding. With references to Black Panther and a reflective tone, the song navigates themes of identity, ambition, and the desire for connection.
Introduction: Love and Trust
"Love, let's talk about love
Is it anything and everything you hoped for?
Or do the feeling haunt you? (Haunt)
I know the feeling haunt you (Haunt)"
The pre-chorus recalls Kendrick’s 2017 song "LOVE." where he raps about the struggles of relationships and how he’ll always be there for his love, but questions whether she’ll be there for him. The line “Love, let's talk about love” reflects the complexities of this theme, where love is questioned, and the haunting feeling of uncertainty in relationships is acknowledged.
Trust Over Love
"Keep it a hundred, I’d rather you trust me than to love me
Keep it a whole one hund': don’t got you, I got nothin'"
In this line, Kendrick is emphasizing the importance of trust over love. He prefers that his partner trusts him rather than simply loving him because love without trust holds little value. The sentiment aligns with his long-term relationship with Whitney Alford, his fiancée, whom he has described as his “best friend.” He values deep emotional connection and honesty over surface-level affection.
Stars as Metaphors for Guidance
"This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer"
SZA’s chorus conveys a sense of striving for something greater, symbolized by “the stars.” The idea of "reaching for the stars" evokes themes of ambition and success. Additionally, the chorus has a connection to Black Panther comic book lore. Stars, often seen as representations of past spirits or supernatural beings, symbolize guidance and wisdom. The Black Panther, through the rites of his ancestors, can call on their strength and knowledge. In the same vein, the stars represent ancestral spirits who draw closer, offering strength, wisdom, and a sense of destiny.
Ego and Vulnerability
"Skin covered in ego
Get to talkin' like ya involved
Like a rebound, no control
No off switch in the way that you bringin' me down
It's a turn on, get it away from me
Know you mean wrong, keep away from me"
SZA’s line "skin covered in ego" can be interpreted as a reference to the indestructible metal Vibranium from Wakanda, the powerful element that shields Black Panther. Here, SZA links her ego and her blackness, embodying confidence and resilience much like Black Panther’s protective suit. The metaphor extends to her strength against those who seek to bring her down, reflecting both self-empowerment and vulnerability. The line "like a rebound" is a basketball reference, indicating the emotional toll of being involved in a situation where she feels manipulated or unwanted.
Emotional Release and Gratitude
"And it's all wrong, get it away from me, yeah, yeah
I just cry for no reason
I just pray for no reason
I just thank for the life, for the day
For the hours and another life breathin'
How did it all go to feel good?
You'd leave it all if it feel bad
Better live your life
We been runnin' out of time"
SZA’s reflection on emotional release—“I just cry for no reason” and “I just pray for no reason”—illustrates the complexity of emotional processing. She expresses gratitude for the gift of life and breath, recognizing the transient nature of time. The lyrics “You’d leave it all if it feel bad” suggest that the pursuit of happiness often leads to abandoning what’s uncomfortable, but ultimately necessary. This inner struggle resonates with the overarching theme of self-awareness and self-preservation, urging one to live life fully, despite its challenges.
Revisiting Love and Emotional Uncertainty
"Love, let's talk about love (Let's talk about love, is)
Is it anything and everything you hoped for? (Anything, oh, oh, this)
Or do the feeling haunt you? (Haunt; haunt, haunt)
I know the feeling haunt you (Haunt)"
The pre-chorus returns, emphasizing the earlier theme of questioning love. The repetition reinforces the introspective nature of the song, questioning the essence of love and whether it meets expectations or becomes a source of haunting confusion.
The Stars: A Final Reflection
"This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer"
The chorus repeats, strengthening the connection to the stars as a metaphor for guidance, ancestral wisdom, and destiny. The stars continue to approach, growing closer, as if signaling an inevitable convergence of past, present, and future, and the profound impact these connections can have on one’s journey.
Kendrick Lamar All The Stars Meaning
This song combines themes of love, ego, introspection, and ancestral connection, all while exploring the tension between self-preservation and emotional vulnerability. Through metaphors like “skin covered in ego” and “the stars,” Kendrick and SZA reflect on the complexities of life, relationships, and identity.
Kendrick Lamar All The Stars Lyrics
[Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
Love, let's talk about love
Is it anything and everything you hoped for?
Or do the feeling haunt you? (Haunt)
I know the feeling haunt you (Haunt)
[Chorus: SZA]
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
Tell me what you gon' do to me (Do to me)
Confrontation ain't nothin' new to me (New to me)
You can bring a bullet, bring a sword, bring a morgue
But you can't bring the truth to me (Truth to me)
Fuck you and all your expectations (Expectations)
I don't even want your congratulations (Congratulations)
I recognize your false confidence and calculated promises
All in your conversation (Conversation)
I hate people that feel entitled (Entitled)
Look at me crazy 'cause I didn't invite you (Invite you)
Oh, you important? You the moral to the story? You endorsin'?
Mothafucka, I don't even like you (Like you)
Corrupt a man's heart with a gift (With a gift)
That's how you find out who you dealin' with (Dealin' with)
A small percentage who I'm buildin' with (Buildin' with)
I want the credit if I'm losin' or I'm winnin'
On my mama, that's the realest shit
[Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
Love, let's talk about love
Is it anything and everything you hoped for?
Or do the feeling haunt you? (Haunt)
I know the feeling haunt you (Haunt)
[Chorus: SZA]
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
[Verse 2: SZA]
Skin covered in ego
Get to talkin' like ya involved
Like a rebound, no control
No off switch in the way that you bringin' me down
It's a turn on, get it away from me
Know you mean wrong, keep away from me
And it's all wrong, get it away from me, yeah, yeah
I just cry for no reason
I just pray for no reason
I just thank for the life, for the day
For the hours and another life breathin'
How did it all go to feel good?
You'd leave it all if it feel bad
Better live your life
We been runnin' out of time
[Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar, SZA]
Love, let's talk about love (Let's talk about love, is)
Is it anything and everything you hoped for? (Anything, oh, oh, this)
Or do the feeling haunt you? (Haunt; haunt, haunt)
I know the feeling haunt you (Haunt)
[Chorus: SZA]
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
All the stars approach you
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer