Kendrick Lamar Overview: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, popularly known as Kendrick Lamar, is a very successful musician, rapper, and lyricist. He has won many awards because of his deep, heartfelt lyrics and overall musical skills. He’s claimed a total of 16 Grammys along with a Pulitzer Prize for being the first rap artist to do so. A few people did not agree with Lamar’s winning of the Pulitzer Prize because it had never been given to someone who was not a classical or jazz artist. However, this opinion was largely overshadowed by musicians in the classical and jazz genres being very satisfied and supportive of Lamar. Ted Hearne, another finalist for the prize who lost to Lamar, claimed he was “one of the greatest living American composers, …show more content…
These controversies include but are not limited to the reference of Trayvon Martin in “The Blacker The Berry” as was previously mentioned in the Overview, transphobic comments and derogatory slurs said in “Auntie Diaries”, or Lamar’s collaboration with Kodak Black on the album “Mr. Morale and the big steppers”. Lamar received a significant amount of backlash for the excessive misgendering and use of slurs that are very harmful to the LGBTQ+ community in his song “Auntie Diaries”. The song is about Lamar learning to respect gender transitions taking place within his family. The exact line that sparked controversy was; “Back when it was comedic relief to say "f****t" "F****t, f****t, f****t, " we ain't no better Elementary kids with no filter” Although Lamar had good intentions with the repeated use of the word, it definitely comes across as rude and disrespectful. Popular journalist, Ernest Owens, makes a great point on how this is also very hypocritical of Lamar. Back in 2018, the musician was performing in Alabama when he decided to let a fan named Delaney come on stage and sing a song with him. This ended up not working out too well. The fan, a white girl, was singing Lamars song, “m.A.A.d city” and didn’t think twice about singing the n-word in front of thousands of people. After she had sung the word a few times, Lamar cut the music and told her; “You gotta bleep one single word”. Delaney responds to this with; “Am I not cool enough for you, bro?”. What Lamar told the fan is what ties back to his use of the slur against the LGBTQ+ community. All he had to do was bleep one single word. Another instance of Kendrick Lamar being controversial is when he partnered with another popular musician, Kodak Black. Back in 2016, Kodak faced charges of assaulting
I was twelve when I first heard the name “Kanye West”. He was featured in a song I rather liked at the time called “Forever” and whilst discussing the song with my friend one afternoon I remarked:
Kanye Omari West, rapper, producer, professional celebrity, and with an ego to match, has forced himself into the limelight of the music industry. Kanye West has made a lasting impression on all of those around him, whether it be a good one or bad. With seven full length albums, a multimillion record label company, and a successful fashion business all under his belt, it’s fair to say that Kanye has done his fair share of creating. Over the last twelve years Kanye went from a young Chicago kid just trying to get his flows off, to one of the most decorated musicians of all time. With over 20 Grammy’s and 3 of his albums ending up on the Rolling stones “500 greatest albums of all time”. He has continuously created, entertained, and spoken his mind for years. Whether it be “George Bush does not care about black people” or “Taylor imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had
In Adam Bradley’s “Rap poetry 101” he shows us how rap is more than just songs being sung, it is poetry; it is something that has an empowering ability to make the familiar unfamiliar.In this chapter Bradley creates a new viewpoint too rap. Bradley shows us how rap and poetry has become a very similar piece of art that should be further appreciated. In the chapter poetry 101 Bradley describes how rap is a form of public art, and how rappers have become our greatest public poets. The importance of rap as poetry is shown throughout Bradley's book as well as the evidence behind the reasons rap is poetry.
To say it lightly, Stanley Crouch does not like the hip-hop genre of music. The dreadlocks, the clothing style, and the "vulgar": gold chains are just a few things he does not approve of at all. (Crouch, 1 ) It astounds him to see how far African-American music has fallen since the days of the Motown. Stanley was quoted as saying this about rap, "It is rudeness, vulgarity, and pornography disguised as ‘keeping it real.'" (Crouch, 1) He also went on to say the hip-hop music genre has the worst impact of all music genres on our culture today. (Crouch, 2) Crouch believes one does not need much talent to become a successful rapper unlike the jazz greats he listens to all the time.
Music can rock your world, enlighten your mind and change your perspective. When you think of rap music who comes first to mind? Without hesitation, it must be the self acclaimed best rapper alive, Lil Wayne. He alone can make such statements as “My picture should be in the dictionary next to the definition of definition” (Wayne, “Shoot Me Down”). Lil Wayne is a prominent force in the rap world. His debut Album in 1999, Tha Block is Hot went double platinum upon its release and even his lowest selling album is still certified as gold according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Rollingstone Magazine declares “Lil Wayne is one of the most popular — and prolific — recording artists in the world” (Kreps). Top this with eight Grammy nominations and four Grammy wins and it is definitely hard to argue with the rap star’s claims. Lil Wayne, with his simple beginnings, soon found his way to the top of the charts with his outstanding lyrics, unique vocals, and quick wit by shutting down all critics with his many gold and platinum albums and thus truly establishing himself as the best rapper alive.
“If I was gay / I would think hip-hop hates me / Have you read the YouTube comments lately? / ‘Man that's gay’ / Gets dropped on the daily / We've become so numb to what we're sayin.'” In these few lines, Macklemore brings up the fact that the genre of hip-hop has become one that is “anti-gay.” Hip-hop is a very common genre of music and it reaches a large population of people, mostly young people who will have an effect in the future of America. This is Macklemore’s target audience: the general public who can make a difference. Macklemore has surprised many by coming out with this popular, pro-gay, hip-hop song. It is rational to see that he took a stand against the issue as well as a risk in his career by supporting this idea. The listeners understand that those lines are very truthful; the hip-hop genre and most of society has become anti-gay. Almost all of his audience is familiar with YouTube and can understand where Macklemore is coming from in these lines. Most of his audience has seen comments on YouTube similar to “Man that’s gay.” Macklemore is bringing attention to the fact that his audience has become numb to harsh words like so and the general public has lost a sentimental feeling. Macklemore goes on to give an example of the desensitizing of society by giving the reference to “faggots”, “a word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores
The late Michael Joseph Jackson was a 20th-century African-American singer and songwriter who transformed the face of pop music and popular culture throughout his lifetime (Michael Joseph Jackson ). Debuted in the professional music world in 1968 at the age of 10 as a member of The Jackson 5, Jackson’s rise to fame had been largely influenced by his invaluable contributions to the music, dance and fashion industries (Michael Joseph Jackson). Hailed as the ‘King of Pop’, his solo album “Thriller” remains “the best-selling album of all time”, with global sales of “over 51 million copies to date since 1982” (Guinness World Records ). Michael Jackson’s one-of-a-kind songs have also earned him over 700 awards, including 13 Grammy Awards as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Michael Jackson; Grammy). However, his music recognition goes beyond what his cupboard-full of awards could ever represent. In this paper, I propose that Michael Jackson’s songs have touched and changed many lives through his constant fight for racial fairness. In particular, I argue that Michael Jackson used his music career as an outlet to break down racial barriers in the American music industry, to express his disappointment towards racial discrimination, to demonstrate his support for racial equality, to advocate that the color of our skin does not differ us from one another, as well as to show and guide others that change has to begin within oneself before impacting the world . Although certain parties would point out that Jackson used derogatory r...
As Kendrick entered the stage shackled to his black comrades with a soulful saxophone playing in the background, it is obvious that the imagery of imprisonment was a commentary on incarceration in America and its similarities with slavery. By amplifying this modern twist on slavery, Kendrick provokes American viewers to reflect on the struggles that black Americans still go through today. At the start of his performance he goes on to rap “I’m African-American — I’m African” as if he was correcting himself. This isn’t surprising as black identity is hard to establish in a country that implicitly detests you, but explicitly fetishizes your culture. Stuart Hall discusses this in his text when he states, “’the primitive is a modern problem, a crisis in cultural identity’…the modernist construction of primitivism, the fetishistic recognition and disavowal of the primitive difference” (Hall 125). There is no wonder why Kendrick, like many African-Americans, finds comfort in placing his identity with the mother land rather than his true country of origin. How can the black multitude stand in solidarity with a country who will continuously praise black culture but refuse to recognize the black struggle? Kendrick Lamar then conjures imagery of Africa, where he danced and rapped in front of a raging bonfire, one of the most powerful imagery included in his entire performance. One can interpret
One of Williams main topics of concerns is the wrong messages that “public airwaves” are sending to their listeners and followers. Williams claims rap and other medias are representing and sending the wrong message about African American communities. She mentions that rap music once held a positive message but now rap music is bombarding the public with the use of profanity, violence, and obscenity throughout their lyrics and music
A race issue that occurs within the rap and hip-hop musical genre is the racial stereotypes associated with the musical form. According to Brandt, and Viki rap music and hip- hop music are known for fomenting crime violence, and the continuing formation of negative perceptions revolving around the African-American race (p.362). Many individuals believe that rap and hip-hop music and the culture that forms it is the particular reason for the degradation of the African-American community and the stereotypes that surround that specific ethnic group. An example is a two thousand and seven song produced by artist Nas entitled the N-word. The particular title of the song sparked major debates within not only the African-American community thus the Caucasian communities as well. Debates included topics such as the significance and worth of freedom of speech compared with the need to take a stand against messages that denigrate African-Americans. This specific label turned into an outrage and came to the point where conservative white individuals stood in front of the record label expressing their feelings. These individuals made a point that it is because artists like Nas that there is an increase in gang and street violence within communities. Rap and hip-hop music only depicts a simple-minded image of black men as sex crazed, criminals, or “gangsters”. As said above, community concerns have arisen over time over the use of the N-word, or the fact that many rappers vocalize about white superiority and privilege. Of course rap music did not develop these specific stereotypes, however these stereotypes are being used; and quite successfully in rap and hip-hop which spreads them and keeps the idea that people of color are lazy, all crimin...
Previously I hinted above about his sexism and misogynistic ways, but now I will go in depth. Hip hop misogyny has been reignited since the history of Dr. Dre’s abuse appeared again with the debut album Straight Outta Compton. The history behind misogyny has dated back decades and has gained even more pushback due to artist like Rick Ross, Drake and Kanye West. These rappers have created songs that dehumanized women from them stripping, making money, and slapping them while having intercourse. However, Kanye West gained a great amount of pushback due to his Yeezus album that greatly dehumanized, influenced sexisim and exhibited a great amount of anger towards women. The release of Straight outta Compton created a huge controversy behind sexism and abuse as it should. Dr. Dre’s beating of Dee Barnes then created a dialogue within the media due to the huge success of the movie. The creator of Straight Outta compton then made a statement after her bragging on how successful the movie was. Ava DuVernay states “I saw the cavalier way that women were treated in hip hop spaces early on. To be a woman who loves hip hop at times is to be in love with your abuser. Because the music was and is that. And yet the culture is ours. From depictions of the origins of ‘Bye Felicia’ to watching Cube bring his wife Kim to business meetings. That’s hip hop. A curious thing”. The statement was a post made on Twitter and The Daily Beast brought it to our attention. Dr. Dre contribution to this movie shows how misogyny within hip hop has become a thing even greater than NWA. The movies and his contribution fits perfectly within hip hop because it created dialogue. Not only dialogue but as I previously stated recent artist who has come in contact with West Coast members, Dr. Dre and got their flow from NWA all have misogynist characteristics in their music. Kendrick has created music on his recent album
Rap’s Controversy The most popular new music to emerge from the ‘80’s was rap music. It first developed in the mid ‘70’s in New York City, and soon in other urban areas, primarily amongst African-American teenagers. It became very popular with the urban public and soon began to spread throughout the United States and much of the world. It replaced rock music as the creative force in music of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. However, as popular as it was then and it is now, the lyrics of many rap songs have caused controversy.
Accommodating for lost time can be a struggle, however education is the perfect key to allow a human a better diagram for survival in this world. Mortal Man is full of the reality that is blinded to society, because they have been confused by the experience of the struggle. Comparing two poems written within the song titled Mortal Man by the rap artist/ poet, Kendrick Lamar, provides an opportunity to engage in the Burkean Parlor; discussing the experience of the struggle and the proper way to survive through it. There is credibility of the struggle without mistakes of not knowing how to deal with the initial interaction; mistakes do not always lead to success; it is just an excuse to repeat history. Kendrick Lamar’s work provides evidence
Throughout history, rap music has been a voice for an artist to express their beliefs and address world issues. I 'm an 18-year-old African-American Male who was raised in a middle-class family. Music has always been an important way for me to express myself like many other teenagers. It is common to hear rappers take a standpoint on a controversial topic, such as racism, wealth inequality, and violence, and speak about it. With the increase of police brutality and the growth in the Black Lives Matter movement, rappers and other phenomenon’s have gravitated towards addressing this topic. Most recently, Macklemore released a single, which explained the story of being at a Black Lives Matter protest in his
American society glorifies work and praises upper-class hard workers. Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert, Enneagram scholars, claim that the United States exemplifies type three, the need to succeed (73). Much of our culture is rooted in the fear of failure, especially financial failure as being wealthy is considered a clear sign of success in life. This mindset leads to an emphasis on working primarily to gain money and power. On the other hand, the Catholic church claims that work should contribute to the development and self-expression of the worker.