"Pride." (stylized as "PRIDE.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The seventh track on the album (eighth on the Collector's Edition of Damn), the song was written by Lamar, Steve Lacy, Anna Wise, and Anthony Tiffith, and produced by Lacy and Tiffith, with additional production by Bēkon. "Pride" charted in multiple countries in 2017.
The song features background vocals from producer Steve Lacy and singer Anna Wise, the latter having previously collaborated with Lamar on "These Walls", which won her a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Writing
The song features songwriting collaborations from American singer Anna Wise who, prior to her work on "Pride", won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2016 with Lamar for his song "These Walls", from his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly.
Production
According to producer Steve Lacy, he created the beat for "Pride" on his iPhone 6. Lacy also said that before the song's release, it was originally titled "Wasn't There" before being renamed to "Pride".
The song has a tempo of 139 BPM and is in the key of E minor.
Critical reception
In a mixed review, Maeve McDermott of USA Today said the song was not that memorable, but its enjoyable mix of influences make it worth listening to.
Lost verse
Shortly after the release of Damn, a lost handwritten verse from "Pride" was released by the co-president of Top Dawg Entertainment, Punch, on his Instagram page. The lost verse reads as follows: Pride is my biggest sin I tried to fight it but I never win Lay’n myself down in the beds I made Karma is always knockin with capital K’s It started when I was toss’n my life in the sand Cross’n the street, momma don’t you hold my hand Time revealing itself My ways are magnified Same patterns requiring that I never camouflaged Looking at me in shock you found my identity Asking yourself do I have room 4 empathy Everything is subject 2 change But not me
Live performances
Lamar performed "Pride" live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet. Kendrick Lamar – songwriter Steve Lacy – songwriter, producer, background vocals Anna Wise – songwriter, background vocals Anthony Tiffith – songwriter, producer Bēkon – additional production, additional vocals Derek Ali – mixing Tyler Page – mixing, mix assistant Cyrus Taghipour – mix assistant
Charts
Certifications
References
2017 songs
Kendrick Lamar songs
Songs written by Kendrick Lamar
Songs written by Steve Lacy (guitarist) Songs written by Anna Wise