When Kendrick Lamar dropped "i" back in September 2014, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. Not the good kind. People were genuinely confused. Coming off the gritty, cinematic masterpiece that was good kid, m.A.A.d city, fans expected more "Swimming Pools" or "Money Trees." Instead, they got a high-energy, funky, almost "happy" record built around an Isley Brothers sample.
It felt... weird. Some people called it "corny." Others thought Kendrick was selling out for radio play. Honestly, looking back from 2026, it’s wild how much we missed the point.
The i Kendrick Lamar song wasn't just a radio play. It was a survival tactic. It was a radical declaration of self-worth from a man who was privately drowning in depression.
💡 You might also like: Paul Young: Why the 80s Icon Still Matters in 2026
The Bait and Switch of the Single Version
If you only know the version that plays on the radio, you're only getting half the story. The single version is polished. It’s got that infectious "That Lady" rhythm—technically a re-recording of the Isley Brothers' 1973 hit, which Kendrick actually traveled to St. Louis to get Ronald Isley's personal blessing for.
Rahki produced it with this sunny, West Coast bounce. It’s got handclaps. It’s got a chorus that shouts "I love myself!" over and over. In 2014, hip-hop wasn't really doing "self-love" as a primary theme without a layer of irony.
The industry was used to bravado. Kendrick gave them vulnerability wrapped in a dance track.
Why the "Happy" Sound Pissed People Off
- Expectation Bias: Fans wanted "Control" Kendrick—the guy who was going to murder every other rapper.
- Sonics: The distorted guitar and upbeat tempo felt more like a pop-rock crossover than a "real" rap song.
- The Message: At a time when racial tensions in America were reaching a boiling point (post-Ferguson), some felt the song was too "optimistic" or soft.
But Kendrick knew something we didn't. He knew what was coming next on the album.
The To Pimp a Butterfly Twist
When To Pimp a Butterfly (TPAB) finally arrived in March 2015, "i" wasn't the song we’d been listening to for six months.
Well, it was, but it wasn't.
On the album, the song is reimagined as a chaotic live performance. It’s gritty. You hear Kendrick’s voice cracking. You hear a simulated crowd in the background getting restless. Halfway through, a fight breaks out in the audience.
Kendrick stops the music.
👉 See also: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Full Movie: Is It Actually Worth a Rewatch?
This is the moment the song transforms from a "pop hit" into a thesis statement for the entire album. He gives an acapella speech about the word "Negus." He breaks down the history of the word, linking it to Ethiopian royalty (specifically the title for a king).
He tells the crowd: "N-E-G-U-S, definition: royalty; King royalty - wait listen / N-E-G-U-S description: Black emperor, King, ruler, now let me finish."
The music stops because the message is more important than the vibe. In the context of the album, "i" is the answer to the crushing depression found in the song "u." If "u" is Kendrick screaming at himself in a dark hotel room, "i" is him finally walking out into the sun.
The Grammys and the "Consolation" Win
In 2015, Kendrick won two Grammys for "i": Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
It was a strange moment. Many critics at the time—including Justin Charity at Complex—argued that while the song was good, it wasn't the "best" rap song of the year. People felt the Recording Academy was giving him a "make-up" award because they had snubbed him so badly the year before when Macklemore won over GKMC.
But here’s the thing. "i" has aged better than almost any other rap single from that era.
It wasn't just a song; it was a cultural shift. It paved the way for more "musical" rap. You can see its DNA in everything from Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book to Kendrick’s own later work like Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.
Decoding the Lyrics: It’s Not Actually That Happy
If you actually listen to the verses, "i" is pretty dark.
"Illuminated by the hand of God, boy don't seem shy /
Next time you derive a house in July, G-O-D /
My mind is segregated, flipping through my thoughts /
Before I go crazy, homie, I'ma get it off."💡 You might also like: Hip Hop News Today: Why the Genre Is Entering Its Most Volatile Era Yet
He's talking about suicidal ideation. He’s talking about the "Satan" trying to put him in a bow tie (a reference to being used as a corporate puppet). The refrain "I love myself" isn't a boast; it's a shield.
He’s saying it because he has to believe it to stay alive.
Actionable Insights: How to Listen to "i" Today
If you’re revisiting this track or hearing it for the first time, don't just put it on a party playlist and call it a day. To actually "get" what Kendrick was doing, try this:
- Listen to "u" first: You need to hear the rock bottom before you can appreciate the climb. "u" is the shadow; "i" is the light.
- Watch the SNL performance: This is widely considered the "definitive" version of the song. Kendrick’s energy is demonic and beautiful. He wears black contacts and does a version that’s even more intense than the album cut.
- Read the "Negus" speech: Don't just skip the end of the album version. The etymology he provides is central to the transition from To Pimp a Butterfly to the "Mortal Man" interview at the end of the record.
- Compare the mixes: Use high-quality headphones. The "live" version on the album is meticulously mixed by Derek "MixedByAli" Ali to feel three-dimensional. You can hear specific voices in the crowd that tell a story of their own.
The song was a test. Kendrick wanted to see if his fans would stick with him if he didn't give them what they wanted. It turns out, by giving us what we needed—a reminder that self-worth isn't tied to external validation—he created one of the most resilient songs in modern hip-hop history.