It was late March 2017. The internet was already on edge. Then, Kendrick Lamar deleted everything on his Instagram and posted a single image: the Roman numeral IV. No caption. No explanation. Just a stark white logo on a black background that sent the entire hip-hop world into a frantic tailspin.
A few hours later, we got The Heart Part 4.
Honestly, looking back at it now, this track wasn't just a song. It was a tactical strike. It served as the official "get out of the way" notice before DAMN. dropped and changed everything. While most people remember it for the "April 7th" deadline that turned out to be a pre-order date—classic Kendrick move—the actual weight of the lyrics has only gotten heavier with time. You've got to understand the climate back then to see why this specific installment of "The Heart" series felt so different.
The Warning Shot Heard Around the World
In the series, these songs usually act as a "state of the union" for Kendrick’s psyche. Part 1 was the hunger. Part 2 was the soul-searching. Part 3 was the anxiety of fame right before good kid, m.A.A.d city. But The Heart Part 4? That was pure, unadulterated aggression.
Kendrick basically spent five minutes reminding everyone that he is the "greatest rapper alive" while simultaneously dismantling his peers and the political establishment.
Who was he actually talking to?
The speculation back in 2017 was wild. Most fans and critics, including the folks over at Genius and Complex, pointed toward two main targets: Drake and Big Sean.
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Kendrick didn't use names. He didn't have to. The "subliminals" were more like guided missiles. He mocked a certain rapper’s "nasal" tone and warned someone to "stop tiptoeing around my name." He even threw a jab at the "Hall of Fame" title—a direct nod to Big Sean’s second album.
Then there was the Drake of it all.
"Don’t tell a lie on me, I won’t tell the truth 'bout you."
That line? It’s arguably the most famous bar from the track. It felt like a threat then, but in light of the massive 2024 feud and tracks like Meet the Grahams, it sounds almost prophetic. Kendrick was telling us nearly a decade ago that he had a folder full of "truth" ready to go if pushed.
Not Just a Diss Track
If you only listen to The Heart Part 4 for the beef, you’re missing half the point. The first half of the song is actually a pretty scathing critique of the American political landscape at the time. He dropped this just months after the 2016 election, and he didn't hold back.
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- The Russia Connection: He explicitly mentions the "electoral votes look like memorial votes" and references the Russia-Trump headlines that were dominating the news cycle.
- The "Chump" Line: "Donald Trump is a chump" is the simple hook, but the verses surrounding it dive into the disillusionment of the "condo in Compton" vs. the "White House" reality.
- The Sound: Produced by a powerhouse squad including Axlfolie, The Alchemist, Syk Sense, and DJ Dahi, the beat switches are legendary. It moves from a smooth, soulful Khalid-sampled intro into a gritty, menacing boom-bap that makes you want to look over your shoulder.
It’s rare for a rapper to balance "I'm the best" braggadocio with genuine sociopolitical commentary without it feeling forced. Kendrick makes it feel like one and the same—that his excellence as a Black artist is, in itself, a political statement.
The April 7th "Fake Out"
We have to talk about the ending. "Y’all got til April the 7th to get y’all shit together."
The entire industry froze. Fans expected a surprise album drop on that Friday. When April 7th finally rolled around, we didn't get the album—we got the pre-order for DAMN. and the official release date of April 14th.
Some people were annoyed. But in hindsight, it was a masterclass in hype building. He took the oxygen out of every other release that week. He made sure that for those 14 days, the only thing anyone in music was talking about was what Kendrick Lamar was about to do.
Why it Still Hits in 2026
The reason The Heart Part 4 remains a staple in the Kendrick canon is its "prophetic" nature. When he says, "I've been calculating," he isn't lying. You can see the seeds of his later work—the internal conflict of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers and the surgical precision of his 2024 diss tracks—all buried in these verses.
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It’s a masterclass in flow variation. He goes from a conversational whisper to a frantic, breathless sprint in seconds. It’s a reminder that while other rappers were focused on "vibes" and "playlists," Kendrick was focused on the craft of the "bar."
Actionable Insights for the Hardcore Fan
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of this track today, try these steps:
- Listen to the Samples: Go back and check out "Don't Tell a Lie about Me and I Won't Tell the Truth on You" by James Brown. Kendrick isn't just sampling the music; he's sampling the philosophy of the title.
- Watch the Beat Changes: Pay attention to the shift at the 1:50 mark. That’s where the "warning" begins. The music mirrors the mood perfectly.
- Read Between the Lines: Compare the "truth 'bout you" line to the 2024 beef tracks. It changes the way you view his "war" with the industry.
This song wasn't just a promo for an album. It was a declaration of war against mediocrity. It stands as a reminder that in hip-hop, the person with the most information and the sharpest pen usually wins the long game. Kendrick Lamar didn't just drop a song on March 23, 2017; he set a trap that he's still springing today.
Key Takeaway: To fully grasp the 2024 hip-hop landscape, you must study the "state of mind" Kendrick was in during 2017. The Heart Part 4 is the blueprint for his current dominance. Keep a close eye on the "The Heart" series as a whole, as each installment historically signals a massive shift in his artistic direction and the industry at large.