![]() ![]() Kendrick’s fast-paced flow resembles scatting when he spits “This d**k ain’t free” throughout the track. The free jazz track “For Free?” features the same black entertainer character from the previous track, but with a newfound sense of self-respect. It sets off the idea of “pimping a butterfly”, with the butterfly in this case being a black entertainer and the pimp being the character of Uncle Sam. Kendrick starts the album off with the P-Funk inspired “Wesley’s Theory”, centering around the often fantasized dream of making it out of the hood and blowing money on material items. Not only is the music sonically unique, but the album features various underlying messages of black empowerment, societal hypocrisy, temptations he faces a successful artist, among many others. The album is unlike any other project he’s released before the jazzy instrumentals are reminiscent of a soulful album from the 70s, which contrasts his usual gritty rap vibes. Making his return from a two-year absence, Kendrick Lamar finally released his long-awaited project “To Pimp a Butterfly” on March 6. By remaining sincere and unapologetic in both content and presentation, Kendrick has bested his last project and crafted his most personal and powerful album to date.Cristian Espinoza '16, Miles Littleton '16, and Ethan Phipps '16 This says more about how impressive Kendrick’s growth has been than anything else. ![]() Compared to the tight storytelling and themes of To Pimp A Butterfly, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City is more It Was Written, an impressive album that had more commercial sensibilities and a less focused theme. While fans thought Kendrick already had his Illmatic with Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, it would seem Kendrick is on the reverse path of Nas. It’s a one-two punch of emotions and facts that present themselves in the lyrics and production.Īll this should dispel any doubts people have with To Pimp A Butterfly. All of this comes without compromising the visceral lyrics that hit complex issues and operate in layers of intricate metaphors. ![]() The abrupt ending to the Tupac interview or the breaks in his voice on “u”, Kendrick uses an array of musical techniques, styles and interludes to create a complete storytelling experience. But Kendrick succeeds in showing and telling. Many recent hip-hop songs have covered similar ground, telling us the nuances of race politics and the prevalence of violence. In terms of lyrical versatility, Kendrick has not skipped a beat since his last project. A Steven Sufjan sample on “Hood Politics” or a Flying Lotus track in “Welsey’s Theory”, these eclectic backdrops suit the diverse lyrics that intertwine and conflict with each other. This is cultivated in an album packed with soul influences, jazz sounds, and funky beats, all wrapped in an extended metaphor of pimping a butterfly. He leaves no stone left unturned, from delving into the exploitation of black artists to promoting self-love. Thankfully, Kendrick is in the mood for talking.Ĭhanneling Outkast vibes, Kendrick creates a story of pain and suffering, but also joy and redemption with To Pimp A Butterfly. Kendrick had developed a rabid fanbase that was craving for what he had to say. For every fan that had a lukewarm reception to the lead single, “i”, there were just as many people that quickly rebutted, citing the new direction needed time to be fully embraced. The prerelease was filled with apprehensive excitement. Surpassing Good Kid, m.A.A.d City seemed too tall of a task, even for Kendrick Lamar.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |