In the newest visible launch for Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” Lamar finds himself in remedy with none aside from the legendary Helen Mirren. The music video for “Count Me Out,” which debuted on Dec. 16, begins with black-and-white footage of a watch ticking, adopted by Mirren’s voice calling out “Kendrick? Kendrick . . . did you hear that Kendrick?” to a weary trying Lamar, slumped over a piano. “My apologies, I assumed my time was up,” he responds, turning to face the concerned-looking actor.
The two proceed talking, flashing backwards and forwards between the present second and previous recollections depicted in full coloration. In a flashback, Lamar recounts an altercation with a lady who insists he stole her parking spot, asking why he did it, whereas he denies taking the spot in any respect. But in a dialog with Mirren, he admits, “I did take her parking spot.”
“You texted me at 2 o’clock within the morning, ‘I really feel like I’m fallen,'” Mirren ultimately prompts him, the dialog rising extra critical. “Why’d you are feeling that approach?” Lamar seems to be at her and responds merely: “Life.” Finally, he begins to rap with Mirren in view your entire time, listening and reacting to her consumer’s innermost sentiments.
The video, codirected by Lamar and Dave Free, is the fourth visible venture Lamar has launched from his newest file, becoming a member of “N95,” “We Cry Together,” “Rich Spirit, and “The Heart Part 5,” which is nominated for greatest music video on the 2023 Grammy Awards.