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
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
partially been the reason music has endured for so long. When an art form has been around for as long as music has been, there is bound to be controversy, especially with such diverse tastes among listeners. The most controversial form of music may in fact be rap, also known as hip hop. Originating in the South Bronx in 1970’s hip hop is no stranger to controversy. At first hip hop was just when the Microphone Controller or MC would deliver a few lines to a crowd over a DJ’s beat. But over time MCs begin
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
Saigon Bride The Vietnam War lasted from 1954 to 1975 and was a major conflict between communist North Vietnam, commonly referred to as Viet Cong, against South Vietnam. The war was part of a larger, prolonged conflict called the Cold War that pitted the US against the Soviet Union. US involvement was justified as an effort to contain the growing communism and promote democracy, however the war was an extremely divisive war. With the increasing mass production and affordability of televisions, it
Music, in some cases, can be a reflection of life experiences. Each genre has a different set of emotions and reactions felt by the listener. Rap music’s popularity has grown dramatically over the past decade. However, it has been the center of controversy regarding promoting violence in society. While some of its mainstream content can be rather explicit, rap lyrics altogether do not promote violence. Instead; they endorse positive messages, provide social commentary, and detail everyday life in
Hip Hop culture is a culmination of things, such as music like rap, graffiti, and all around attitude, that allowed for the self expression of people from the inner cities. Music has always been a way for people of all generations to voice their opinions on social issues. Same goes for rap. The creator of the genre, Kool Herc, used to have large parties where he would speak while playing different records, forming the most primitive form of rap. These gatherings were credited for helping teens stay
This essay will explore authenticity in hip hop and if it matters in hip hop in the 21st century Definitions of authenticity in regards to hip hop. Authenticity has been linked to the genre’s inception in the 1970’s and definitions of authenticity in regards to hip hop have been a relative concept which has been varied over the years. One definition and claims of authenticity has been brought about by certain rap groups in the 1980s like the N.W.A who were considered to be very influential and significant
article cited here is an opinion piece, which takes away some credibility, but since it was published in such a prestigious paper it is safe to assume this article has been fact-checked and approved before print. The article is from 1989, amidst the controversies noted in this paper. This adds credibility, since it was written so closely to the things discussed. Ryan, Patrick. N.W.A.’s impact goes beyond ‘Compton’. USA Today. 2015. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2015/08/10/straight-outta-compton-movie-nwa-f-gary-gray-ice-cube/31343631/
Throughout history, social movements have continuously formed because of a person who had the courage to stand up against the injustice they witnessed in every day live. When I was a child, I remember feeling as if it takes a superhero-like person to start a social movement. However, I have found that through the use of social media today, any person with a passion for making a change can spark a social movement. Social movements are a powerful way to help people believe that their voice matters
"Bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks / Lick on these nuts and suck the dick." Snoop Dogg sings in “Bitches Ain’t Shit.” Hip Hop music is becoming more misogynistic, or degrading to women. Misogyny is the dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. It’s not a new thing for men to be singing about women in a bad way. Hip hop has always had a problem with females, they have been seen just as sexual objects or accessories for a long time. Kubrin stated that “gender stereotypes
Passion Analysis Essay When you hear the name Kanye West, you think of controversy, politics, and questionable comments online, more often than not you don't think of his influence on hip-hop for a while. Influence in music is an interesting subject. One artist is changing how music is made, but it's more than that. influence can take many forms in music. We can see the influence of voice, production, and style. For example, Drake was heavily influenced by Lil Wayne before he was big, and his production
In Hollywood it’s very rare to see any minorities in a lead role of a blockbuster film. The accomplishments of Black Panther directed by Ryan Coogler, is bound to change that. I Am Legend, Bad Boyz II, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are just a few blockbuster films with minority leads. However, with the triumph of Black Panther that has an African American in the lead role, minorities are more likely to be featured more prominently in blockbuster films. Black Panther brought in $75.8 million on
The beauty of hip hop is that it is malleable. It is not defined by strict boundaries but by multiple characteristics. Young artist J. Cole (2013) explains this best by stating in an interview, “I think there’s no rules [in rap]. You can say what you want. That’s your poetic license: to test people’s boundaries.” (p.1) The results of such malleability and the need to experiment within the unwritten boundaries of hip hop are the birth of different styles and sectors/scenes in America. These sectors