To Pimp A Butterfly Research Papers

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To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar’s second major label studio album, and third full-length project. It was released via Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. It followed his two previous critically-acclaimed projects: Section 80 and Good Kid M.A.A.D. City. In contrast to Lamar’s previous projects, TPAB took more heavily from jazz, soul, and funk influences, with such contributors as Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, and Flying Lotus providing instrumentation and production. Other noteworthy credits include vocals from Anna Wise, Bilal, George Clinton, James Fauntleroy, Rapsody, Ronald Isley of the The Isley Brothers, Snoop Dogg, and a posthumous appearance from 2Pac. This album’s concept …show more content…

Wings begin to emerge, breaking the cycle of feeling stagnant Finally free, the butterfly sheds light on situations that the caterpillar never considered, ending the internal struggle Although the butterfly and caterpillar are completely different They are one and the same" …show more content…

When Kendrick was a caterpillar, or “walking”, he was broke living in Compton. By discovering his rap abilities, he made something of himself and inspired people all over the world. This represents Kendrick’s transformation into a butterfly and flying away from the cocoon of Compton. The caterpillar(s) on the other hand can be multiple things, people from Compton or the wealthy people using Kendrick for their benefit. Caterpillars have yet to transform and realise their potential in life. In order to survive, they consume everything around them, destroying their environment. This is supported by the lines right before the hook in “King Kunta” in which he says “true friends, one question”. He asks the caterpillar, people who didn’t support him at first, why they all of a sudden are with him now that he has fame and fortune. They want to pimp him out and make money off him, causing Kendrick to make sacrifices in the process. In “King Kunta” Kendrick also says: Everybody wanna cut the legs off him, Kunta Black man taking no losses This line is a metaphor for Kendrick’s sacrifice for money. The legs getting chopped off can also be compared to a butterfly’s wings getting clipped as well, and of course ties into Kunta Kinte’s

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