A google search of Compton, California will quickly reveal the high incidence of crime in the town, with one of the first suggestions referencing “Compton California Crime Rates.” Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born in Compton, California, notorious for its gangs and gang related crimes, yet he was able to overcome his rough upbringing and showed that even grim situations can be used as a source of positivity. The album Good kid, m.A.A.d City contains skits in between songs which tell a piece of Kendrick’s life.In the song Sing About Me Kendrick reveals the murder of his friend, and how he used that tragedy to turn his life around. Through the use a pathos based strategy, Kendrick demonstrates to his listeners how life can change in an instant …show more content…
The context of the first verse comes from the previous song in the album Drank, where Dave, one of Kendrick’s friend, gets killed because of gang retaliation. The first verse of Sing About Me is in the perspective of Dave’s brother where he expresses his gratitude to Kendrick for being there in the final moments of his brother’s life. He heads out seeking revenge on those who killed Dave, with a sense of personal guilt inside of him. “As blood spilled on your hands, my plans rather vindictive. Everybody’s a victim in my eyes when I ride, it’s a murderous rhythm …show more content…
I believe he successfully argued his point because he pathos to created such great contrasts using his experiences and the experiences of others. These contrasts had a very strong appeal to emotion do to the use of his imagery. He makes his song very relatable to the audience, the listeners, whether you are in a situation similar to his or not you will still find a connection to his message. Kendrick has indeed overcome his hurdles and tries to give back in the process, in hopes that he will be able to encourage people to change their undesirable
“You take a record and use it to empower yourself” having growing-up in the Westside of Chicago in a neighborhood fill with violence, Lupe make a lot of records that show listeners that even with the odds against him that he use his struggle to better himself.
On a lighter note, he explains his inspirations for his dream of making music in the song ‘Juicy.’ Biggie’s writing went in depth to show his audience where he came from and to also inspire other artists working their way up in the music industry. Lastly, Kendrick Lamar’s piece Good Kid m.A.A.d City is a coming of age story from the perspective of teenage Kendrick living in Compton, California. This album shows the dark side of Kendrick’s life, as well as his lighter moments of aspiration. There are vivid depictions of violence that he endured as a teen, as well as the influence of money and power.
Lamar has been successfully achieving his dream by rapping about the stress and difficult situations he has encountered but strongly claims that we will all be alright in his song, “Alright.” He released a song called “i” that reflects how violence has increased in the cities and how he wishes everyone should love each other as humans. His last song on “To Pimp A Butterfly” called “Mortal Man” he states “only because you don’t wear the same color as mine, that doesn’t mean I can’t respect you as a human being.” He clearly states how he understands the reputations of other gang members may seem important but should all still respect others as people. Lamar has been a role model to several students from the city of Compton that was able to create a scholarship called “Be Alright” that is based off the same song called “Alright.” Kendrick Lamar has been respectively producing music for his fans without a doubt of impressive beats and
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
Kendrick Lamar in his song, “u,” explains his personal failure to remember and support his community when he writes, “Your trials and tribulations a burden, everyone felt it/ Everyone heard it, multiple shots, corners cryin ' out/ You was deserted, where was your antennas again?/ Where was your presence, where was your support that you pretend?” (“u” 46-50). “Tribulations” refer to the difficult periods of hardship in an individual’s life where patience and commitment are continually put to test. “Tribulations” are subjective to the individual and may seem trivial compared to the “tribulations” of others, such as the immense danger and lack of security people are subject to the ghetto. “Deserted” is the abandonment of an individual or community. “Deserted” is how many people feel after a close friend or family member has reached new success and seemingly forgot about whom their original friends and supporters were. “Antennas” refer to an essential sensory component of a butterfly, but furthermore can be understood as the sense of awareness an individual has. An individual’s “antennas” often seem to be disregarded after they have reached success, and consequently, the people around them feel abandoned and unimportant. “Support” is the attention and care an individual has for others, especially in time of need. “Support” for
Kendrick is a very great artist that has respect for his fans not one time did I see him disrespect them in anytime of way. He believes that everyone should be treated the same, he is a big fan of Tupac that’s one person he really looked up to. His music can catch a lot of listeners attention, he just has, that effect with his music. Therefore he enjoys writing and putting his thoughts on a piece of paper, sometimes he just freestyle off the top of his head. To me he is the best lyrical rapper out right now because his music is based on real life facts just like how Tupac music was, so that’s how they are kind of similar to me that’s just my opinion.
raps about his life and things his been through. I think the reason alot of
Music has always been an important part of my life. During high school I have developed areas of service and leadership through interests in children and gardening, which will continue to be major parts of my life.
Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop-country sensations of the 21st century. With over billions of sells, she is also one of the top selling artists of our generation. But what makes her so unique? Are there not other pop-country artists out there? This is the story of Taylor Swift, and how she came to be.
The second chapter of Steven Cohen’s Hollywood Musicals, The Film Reader explains that “The myth of entertainment can be subdivided into three categories: the myth of spontaneity, the myth of integration, and the myth of the audience…. the myth makes its impact through combination and repetition. Thus a single musical number can be highly overdetermined and maybe discussed under all three categories.” (36) Going off of this explanation, then discussing the legitimacy of MGM’s Singing in the Rain as a back stage musical should depend on which of these three myths the film combines or repeats. This essay proposes that Singing in the Rain, based on the film’s proficiency with the second of the three: the myth of integration, rightfully deserves
During the final song, he explains his journey to find the idea that the black community needs to join together and respect one another in order to survive the hostile world that they live in. The samples he uses all sound similar, they all have a boom-bap feel and bring a tone to the album that makes it sound reminiscent of early black music in the 70’s and 80’s supporting his theme of black pride. At one point he even uses a sample of an interview from Tupac back in 1994, who was one of the pioneers of rap and who Kendrick got a lot of his ideas from. Lastly, Kendrick’s narrative explains his path of going through the streets and realizing that he needs to lead his people to fight the institutions that bind them. He leads listeners through the process of how he found this concept out,
Ever since I was a small child, I have loved music. The strong, steady beats, the
Kendrick Lamar has changed his audiences and society in a worldwide level. His actions and behaviors change the thinking behavior and culture through African Americans. Obamas love for Lamar and his music have been well - documented. In December, Obama revealed that “How Much A Dollar Cost” was his favorite song of 2015. Obama stated that Kendrick has much love for his culture, he raised more than 1 million dollars to schools in Africa to pay for books and netbooks, it’s just not a onetime thing he raises money, he sends money to all schools struggling in Africa I’m talking Kenya, South Africa.
Musicians try to distill their reality and experience into their songs, especially in hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar with his distinct fervor and touch shares his own reality and experience with his audience in “Money Tree”, creating a song that’s intimate while remaining head-bopping.
Hi, my name is Rob Geis and I am currently in grade 12. I have been at County High School for a year now; I joined at the start of 11th grade, and have thoroughly enjoyed myself here. The school is great, the people are fantastic and the atmosphere is one that makes you actually want to go to school. Before I joined ASB I was studying at the Singapore American School for two years and prior to that I was at the International School of Kuala Lumpur for two years. I was born and raised here in Bombay city and grew up here.