Perhaps the most famous "almost" in Kendrick's history is the track with T.I. and B.o.B. Originally, the song featured a direct sample of Gotye’s hit, but clearance issues forced T.I. to remove it .
Kendrick rarely writes straightforward break-up songs. Instead, he applies that same emotional framework to: Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...
Much like the Gotye track, this song explores a vicious, toxic relationship through a back-and-forth argument, showing how two people can love and hate each other simultaneously until they become strangers. Perhaps the most famous "almost" in Kendrick's history
: The transition from Kendrick’s aggressive verse to the airy, vulnerable chorus creates a jarring sense of heartbreak. to remove it
The most compelling aspect of the cover is Lamar’s manipulation of the source material. He does not simply sing the lyrics; he raps them. During the verses originally performed by Gotye, Lamar employs a staccato flow that emphasizes the internal rhymes of the lyrics, which are often glossed over in the original’s melodic drawl.
: Distant sirens and vinyl crackle fill the empty spaces between the plucked notes. The Verse (Kendrick’s Perspective)
The most direct answer to your search is the title track from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers . Here, Kendrick addresses family members and friends he has had to leave behind.