Kendrick Lamar seen filming a new music video yesterday talking on a payphone.

A way too premature dissection of this photo? Ok, why not.

A telephone is a recurring motif in Kendrick’s discography, many times as a symbolic means of connecting with God and family.

1/8

On GKMC, Kendrick repeatedly ignores phone calls from his parents throughout the album, sending them to voicemail.

GKMC ultimately ends with a powerful voicemail from his parents stressing the importance of family and pointing him toward God. 2/8

“Hood Politics” (TPAB) begins with a voicemail from a friend who questions Kendrick’s loyalty after finding success, claiming his calls keep going voicemail. (Kendrick finds God on the next song.) 3/8

Untitled 02 (untitled/unmastered) features the refrain “Get God on the phone” as he looks for guidance to escape “the belly of the beast,” a reference to the biblical story of Jonah.

Phone calls and voicemails play a big role on DAMN, too, beginning with YAH. 4/8

Kenny’s cousin Carl calls to offer him biblical-based guidance while Kenny distracts himself with vices.

YAH’s hook is Kenny ignoring God’s call (YAH = Yahweh = God). 5/8

In XXX. Kenny receives a call from a friend who tells him his only son was murdered. He calls Kenny “anointed” and seeks God’s guidance through Kenny. But Kenny misses God’s call, telling his friend to seek vengeance through retaliatory violence. 6/8

On FEAR, we hear a pivotal voicemail from Kenny’s cousin Carl. He offers Kenny guidance through God. There’s an implication that Kenny finally got the message, leading into the next song GOD. 7/8

What does all this have to do with Kendrick shooting a new video talking on a payphone?

NO IDEA.

But if it has anything to do with his past work, chances are Kenny’s talking to [family/God].

Hopefully he has some words of wisdom to share. We could all sure use them right now.