This rapper needs absolutely no introduction. I’m going to give him one anyway. Kendrick Duckworth, better known as Kendrick Lamar, is a Compton rapper who has dominated hip-hop for the better part of the 2010s. Dubbing himself King Kendrick or “King Kenny”, he has released some of the greatest rap albums in the past decade. His breakout hit “Swimming Pools” was released on his debut studio album “good kid, m.A.A.d city”.
But the project that solidified his spot as a legend in hip-hop was his 2015 album “To Pimp a Butterfly”. Perfectly combining elements of funk, jazz, and r&b with hip-hop, Kendrick made a beautifully sounding album in addition to his politically charged and socially motivated lyrics. Even his project “untitled unmastered”, a mixtape that is believed by many to be tracks that were rejected from “TPAB”, was considered one of the best projects of 2016. Kendrick has the respect of not only artists within hip-hop, but of several other artists in the music industry. He’s even received praise from former president Barack Obama, who has stated that “How Much a Dollar Cost”, a track off of “TPAB”, was his favorite song of 2015.
When it was reported that Kendrick had “rushed” into the studio, people believed that he was to make a project that responded to today’s political climate. Honestly, I was just excited to her more music from Kendrick. At this point, I knew that Kendrick could do no wrong. However, people did wonder how he would follow up such an innovative project like “TPAB”, and if he could top it.
Prior to the release of “DAMN”, Kendrick released the single “HUMBLE”. Upbeat and in your face, “HUMBLE” was definitely a departure from “TPAB”, but still extremely well versed and masterfully produced. The track is rumored to be taking shots at rappers like Big Sean who Kendrick believes are a little too into themselves and need to be reminded of who the real king is. The video that accompanied the song was also well directed and edited, providing a look into Kendrick’s new artistic direction, and the messages he would convey in “DAMN”.
After hearing the rest of the album, it was clear that Kendrick had hit a home run yet again. Much like his past projects, Kendrick had a clear message throughout the album. He brought back his complex flow, clever and topical lyrics, and exceptional production. K. Dot did revert back to the more popular and traditional hip-hop beats in this album, making it sound more like a follow up to “good kid, m.A.A.d city” than to “To Pimp a Butterfly”. This is clear when listening to songs like “ELEMENT” and “DNA”, the latter of which has a beat switch mid-song that goes HARD, including the obnoxious but comical sample “gimmie some ganja” played on repeat in the background of the song.
K. Dot does show more of a personal and emotional side to himself on other tracks. “LOVE” is a soft and sultry song that features a more sensitive Kendrick, where he is thought to be rapping about his new fiancé. “FEAR” is a little more serious, where the Compton rapper talks about the different types of fear he has encountered throughout his life, whether it’s dying at a young age and being forgotten or losing all of the fame and success he currently has. He touches a bit more on his insecurity in the song “FEEL”. In addition to his usual social and political messages, Kendrick also becomes a bit more biblical on this album. On the very first track “BLOOD”, Kendrick gives his version of a biblical tale dealing with giving yourself to God or being cursed with eternal damnation. In “XXX”, Kendrick discusses the contrast of being right with God compared to the often ruthless and remorseless attitude that people have today, especially in rough and violent neighborhoods. He also discusses American politics and ideals, criticizing the United States’ tendency to oppress and condemn minorities and to police the rest of the world.
Though I don’t think it will have as much as an impact as “To Pimp a Butterfly”, “DAMN” is an excellent album that I would recommend all hip-hop fans. Clearly I’m not the only one who agrees, as the album has gone platinum in less than a month, surpassing Drake’s “More Life”. I guess people are finally starting to prefer pure talent over pop appeal.
