Dissect Podcast: S13E6 - "Why is Kodak Black on Mr. Morale? Dissecting 'Rich - Interlude'"

Host: Cole Cuchna
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Podcast: Dissect by The Ringer

Introduction

In episode six of Season 13, host Cole Cuchna delves into Kendrick Lamar's album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, focusing specifically on the track "Rich - Interlude" featuring Kodak Black. Building upon the previous episode's exploration of "Father Time" (00:01 - 01:32), Cuchna sets the stage for an in-depth analysis of how Kodak Black's presence contributes to the album's overarching narrative and thematic depth.

Connecting the Dots: From "Father Time" to "Rich - Interlude" (00:01 - 02:00)

Cuchna begins by recapping the insights from the last episode, where Kendrick Lamar examines his relationship with his father and the resulting survivalist mentality shaped by systemic societal pressures. He highlights Kendrick’s acknowledgment of the need for vulnerability in personal growth, quoting Kendrick from Harper’s Bazaar:

"There is certainly no growth without vulnerability. If I understood the power of vulnerability earlier, I could have had more depth and more reach to the guys that was around me in the neighborhood growing up." (00:01 - 01:32)

This introspection seamlessly transitions into the discussion of "Rich - Interlude," where Kodak Black takes the spotlight.

Introducing "Rich - Interlude": A Unique Musical Interlude (02:00 - 08:30)

Unlike typical interludes, "Rich - Interlude" is stripped down, featuring only Kodak Black's vocals and pianist Duval Timothy. Cuchna emphasizes the intentionality behind featuring Kodak Black without Kendrick's presence, framing the interlude as a theatrical moment within the album's narrative structure. He posits that Kendrick’s choice serves to provoke thought and controversy, setting the stage for deeper exploration.

Kodak Black: A Controversial Figure in Kendrick's Narrative (08:30 - 16:47)

Cuchna provides a comprehensive backstory of Kodak Black, detailing his rise from the Golden Acre housing projects in Pompano Beach, Florida, to his tumultuous career marked by legal issues and controversial behavior. He highlights key moments, such as:

• Early Start in Music: Kodak began rapping in elementary school (08:30 - 09:26).
• Legal Troubles: Multiple arrests from a young age, including charges related to sexual assault (09:40 - 16:47).
• Mainstream Success: Despite legal woes, Kodak achieved significant milestones, like releasing Project Baby and signing with Atlantic Records (10:21 - 16:47).

Cuchna underscores the complexity of Kodak Black's character—his musical talent juxtaposed with his troubled personal life—posing critical questions about accountability and the impact of systemic failures on individual behavior.

"Rich - Interlude" Lyric Breakdown: Exploring Themes of Entrapment and Survival (19:05 - 33:27)

Cuchna meticulously analyzes the lyrics of "Rich - Interlude," breaking down lines to uncover deeper societal and psychological themes:

• Entrapment and Decision-Making:
  "I learned entrapping in the business, Smart people making horrible decisions"
  (19:05 - 19:18)
  He interprets this as a commentary on how systemic oppression forces individuals into making detrimental choices, linking it to historical contexts of racism and economic disparity.

• Materialism vs. Spiritual Poverty:
  "Rich nigga get my dick sucked after the show I ain't gonna lie we were poor."
  (19:18 - 19:26)
  Cuchna discusses the dichotomy between financial success and spiritual or emotional impoverishment, reflecting Kendrick’s themes in United in Grief and Worldwide Steppers.

• Cycle of Violence and Incarceration:
  "They keep themselves up. I wanted to keep up too."
  (10:35 - 10:21)
  This illustrates the perpetuation of violence and how street credibility becomes a survival mechanism, further entrenching individuals in a cycle of incarceration and systemic injustice.

• Impact of Racial Disparities:
  "Everybody gang gang, Most of the people that you grew up with lying the chain game in the box getting pink."
  (22:43 - 22:58)
  Cuchna connects Kodak’s lyrics to the historical exploitation of Black communities through practices like redlining and the War on Drugs, emphasizing the enduring legacy of racial injustice.

Symbolism and Theatrical Representation: Kodak Black as the Big Stepper (33:27 - 39:55)

Drawing parallels between Kodak Black and concepts from Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, Cuchna explores how Kendrick Lamar uses Kodak as a symbolic character within a modern morality play:

• Representation of Systemic Failure:
  Kodak embodies the systemic forces that trap individuals in cycles of poverty and violence, serving as a mirror to America's historical and ongoing racial injustices.

• Eckhart Tolle's Influence:
  Integrating spiritual philosophy, Cuchna references Tolle's ideas on unconscious behavior and judgment (37:08 - 41:35). He explains how Kodak's portrayal challenges listeners to reflect on their own perceptions and biases, encouraging a deeper understanding of empathy and human complexity.

• Universalizing the Struggle:
  Kendrick’s portrayal of the Big Stepper, represented by Kodak, universalizes the struggle against systemic oppression, suggesting that these issues are not isolated but reflective of broader human conditions.

Philosophical and Societal Implications (39:55 - 42:46)

Cuchna delves into the philosophical questions raised by Kendrick's use of Kodak Black:

• Free Will vs. Environmental Conditioning:
  The episode interrogates whether individuals are products of their environments or possess inherent free will, using Kodak's story as a case study.

• Empathy and Judgment:
  Drawing from Tolle and biblical references, Cuchna discusses the importance of empathy over judgment, advocating for a more compassionate understanding of individuals shaped by oppressive systems.

• Collective Responsibility:
  The narrative suggests that addressing systemic issues requires collective acknowledgment and action, rather than solely focusing on individual accountability.

Conclusion: The Role of Kodak Black in the Moral Narrative (42:46 - 46:02)

Cuchna concludes by affirming that Kodak Black's inclusion in Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers serves as a deliberate choice to highlight the multifaceted nature of the Black experience in America. Through his character, Kendrick Lamar invites listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about systemic oppression, empathy, and personal responsibility. Cuchna posits that Kodak symbolizes both the failures and the potential for redemption within a society grappling with its historical injustices.

Notable Quotes:

• Kendrick Lamar (Previous Episode):
  "There is certainly no growth without vulnerability. If I understood the power of vulnerability earlier, I could have had more depth and more reach to the guys that was around me in the neighborhood growing up." (00:01 - 01:32)

• Kodak Black on Courtroom Interaction:
  "You know, we take sexual assault here serious and we can't, you know, get into details, but we hope you to have you back so we can have a deeper conversation about that..." (15:48 - 16:47)

• Kodak Black in "Rich - Interlude":
  "I learned entrapping in the business, Smart people making horrible decisions." (19:05 - 19:18)

• Eckhart Tolle on Judgment:
  "What judgment really means in spiritual terms is to equate something that you see in another. A deficiency, a characteristic that is regarded as not so good..." (39:55 - 41:35)

Final Thoughts

Cole Cuchna’s analysis in this episode offers a profound exploration of how Kendrick Lamar intricately weaves personal narratives with broader societal themes. By featuring a controversial figure like Kodak Black, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers transcends traditional album structures, morphing into a reflective theatrical piece that challenges listeners to engage with complex issues of race, trauma, and redemption.

For those seeking to understand the depths of Kendrick Lamar's artistry and the socio-political commentary embedded within his work, this episode of Dissect provides invaluable insights and thoughtful interpretations.