Analyzing the music and meaning of one album per season, one song per episode. Join host Cole Cuchna as he dives deep into albums by Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyonce, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and more. Let's Dissect.
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Analyzing the music and meaning of one album per season, one song per episode. Join host Cole Cuchna as he dives deep into albums by Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyonce, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and more. Let's Dissect.
Our season long analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concludes with its final track "Mirror." Serving as a lyrical epilogue to the album’s emotional climax, “Mirror” delivers Kendrick Lamar’s final moral lesson: “I choose me.” With this mantra, Kendrick brings his morality play to a close, rejecting the performance of salvation in favor of spiritual freedom, radical acceptance, and personal peace.
Returning to the character of oklama — “my people” — Kendrick offers listeners the same mirror he used to confront ego, trauma, and public expectation. The result is a parting reflection on self-love, unconditional compassion, and the divine power of choosing yourself.
Dissect is part of The Ringer podcast network.
Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna
Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler
Additional Video Editing: Jon Jones
Additional Production: Justin Sayles
Theme Music: Birocratic
00:00 So Delicious
00:32 Intro / E17 Recap
02:09 "Mirror" Intro Analysis
05:39 Verse 1 Analysis
13:27 Chorus Analysis
16:39 Verse 2 Analysis
18:36 Verse 3 Analysis
26:11 Bridge Analysis
31:41 "I Choose Me" Numerology
38:16 Final Thoughts
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Dissect
Analyzing the music and meaning of one album per season, one song per episode. Join host Cole Cuchna as he dives deep into albums by Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyonce, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and more. Let's Dissect.
