Why 2015 Should Be Known as the Year of Kendrick Lamar
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why 2015 Should Be Known as the Year of Kendrick Lamar

King Kendrick

22
Why 2015 Should Be Known as the Year of Kendrick Lamar
gotthathiphop

What can you say about 2015? Overall it was pretty awful. We saw the rise of Donald Trump as a legitimate contender for the presidency, a ridiculous number of mass shootings (more than one a day, depending on how you define a mass shooting), some terrorism, some blatant systematic racism and just a sprinkle of rioting. I don’t want to be a downer, but it turns out that 2015 did not live up to the expectations we had set for it in 2014. So, how can we sum up a year like this in a simple, positive sentence? It's really pretty easy: 2015 was the year of Kendrick Lamar.

Yes, King Kendrick Lamar sat firmly on his throne this year with the release of his latest masterpiece, “To Pimp a Butterfly.” This album is a dystopian ride through the mind of a brilliant young black man finding his way in a world of fame and success that was not created for him and that he was not prepared to enter into. In this sprawling sixteen track operatic rap, we see Kendrick grow from the initial spoils and flatteries of fame, through depression and dissociation, to becoming a figure of peace, love, and hope. While he undergoes this transformation, Kendrick has to deal with issues that are currently permeating American society, from the seemingly ritualized killing of young black men by police (“Alright”), to black on black violence (“The Blacker the Berry”); from income inequality (“How Much a Dollar Cost”) to political disarray (“Hood Politics”), Kendrick knew exactly the issues that he wanted to preach about and he did so with wisdom and understanding that showed he is not just a rapper, but a leader. Rolling Stone granted “To Pimp a Butterfly” album of the year status, and so did Vice, Spin, The Guardian, and many others. President Barack Obama said that “How Much a Dollar Cost?” was his favorite song of the year, the album has garnered eleven grammy nominations including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “Alright,” whose chorus, “we gon’ be alright” became a chant for the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Outside of To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick was also very successful. He made many hit music videos, which are more accurately described as short films, including the riveting “Alright.” He got his start in acting became friends with Taylor Swift after contributing verses and himself for her blockbuster music video “Bad Blood.” He appeared on countless talk shows and internet videos, and was the central figure in hundreds, if not thousands of online periodicals and speculation, including one suggesting that his latest album is possibly the most important hip-hop album of the decade so far.

A lot of bad things happened in 2015 -- I would begin to list them here but it would take far too long and would be far too depressing, so I’ll just let you fill in the blanks. But, we may be able to take solace in the fact that a true king has emerged, and will likely fight for what is right for a long time, and his name is Kendrick Lamar.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

20839
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

948211
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

125011
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments