All hail Kendrick.
Back in 2012 Kendrick Lamar dropped good kid maad city. I was in the 8th grade then and I just remember hearing everyone singing poetic justice and everything. Anybody that can rap over Ms. Janet Jackson that smoothly is a true intellect. That album soared that year. I mean, why wouldn’t it? It had back to back hits, definitely a big leap for Top Dawg Ent. I don’t know if you’ve ever played it straight through but it’s truly amazing. Each song literally flows into the next. The story line is engaging. He opens up about past experiences in “The Art of Peer Pressure” discussing his battles within himself on how to balance staying true to who he is, a good kid at heart, when his friends are living a different lifestyle . His vivid bars painting the pictures in our minds of his first robbery or as he would call it, one lucky night with the homies. Him also sharing the loss of a loved one due to gang violence in Compton, fighting his demons when thinking about avenging him, just shows people that shit is real. Life happens. The overall project is a perfect combination of the skits and melodies. This album is home to hits like “Sing about Me”, “I’m dying of Thirst”, “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”, “The Recipe & Swimming Pools”. It’s catchy and raw cut. Everything you could ask for in an album. I’m sure many would agree with me in saying that To Pimp a Butterfly was different but beautiful. I will even go the extra mile in saying that it’s in his Hall of Fame vault. Kendrick was on this new vibe and I loved every second of it. As soon as I heard “Every n*gga is a star” I knew this man was on one LMAO. That beat dropped, it like a cross over of g-funk, boom bap and jazz all in one. Can you say eargasm? The man was really in his bag with this one addressing all these internal issues that people deal with day to day. The album was written after his trip to Africa, this is said to be his inspiration for the theme. He gives tribute to our ancestors and also addresses issues like black on black crime that still goes on today due to gangs, loving and accepting yourself, knowing your worth and where you come from, all challenges of the maturing adult. The bow on the album was Mortal Man. The interview with Pac, the poem finally being read as a whole symbolizing all the pieces of his journey being put together for him to see the bigger picture just for him to be left hanging at the end when Pac “disappears”. Am I right? Am I wrong? It’s a reflection of finding your way. Something many can relate to, especially at this stage in our lives. Two very different approaches still adding high end quality and taste to my playlists every day.
Thank you K. Dot.