Kendrick Lamar

I don’t know whether it's all the Hip-Hop I’ve been listening to recently or the very realisation that Kendrick Lamar's just saved the genre all together... But one thing is certain, Hip-Hop is back in my life and this time I think for good. Going to elaborate on this a bit later, in the meantime, I’m here to talk about a gentleman who happens to be my muse, role model and saviour these days; and as you get it from the photo this gentleman is the one and only Kendrick Lamar. Quite sure that most of you guys out there haven’t heard of this young black man before and limit yourselves to the occasional Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and so on when it comes to Hip-Hop, right? Not bad, but not enough. You see, the fact that the genre has been around for several decades doesn't mean that it's existence is as dull and dumb as listening to the same thing going over and over again (as it is the case with Rock or Classical music, for instance). That been said, you should know that there’s a colossal new wave of rappers out there that seem to be determined to bring the game back, and in my opinion Kendrick Lamar’s at the very forefront. Too bad for all rappers out there... indeed, the new standard of Rap music is here and it looks like it's here for good this time around.

If I were to review or give you guys an idea of Lamar’s sound, I wouldn’t limit myself to the rapping and beats as most reviewers do. But limiting myself to just these two aspects of music wouldn't do Lamar any justice. In fact, unlike most rappers who go for a nice smooth hook or bounce, Lamar’s quite different in this way, don’t know how to put it into words, but I guess there is something about the feel and atmosphere of this music that brings the listener back to the ghetto. Something that feels inexplicably organic and genuine without the sanitised or somewhat over the top feel of most contemporary artists. Not that it’s necessary or something, but I think there’s a real need to relate to “The Ground” these days. A relation to the ground that most artists tend to omit all so often nowadays. You see, the thing is that in this pseudo-enlightened world of ours most people are all into self-development, self-empowerment, self-fulfilment and so on, but if you ask me, with all this “selfness” which we have around, there’s not that much room for normal people. You know, “The Ground”. That’s exactly where Kendrick comes in. He’s what I’d call “a Nigga With Integrity” not to be confused with “a Nigga With Attitude” ^_^. One that knows where he comes from and knows exactly where he’s heading to, avoiding all temptation and corruption of fame in his way. And that direction is non other than black emancipation. That’s right, if you thought that the day Obama became president was the day black people got satisfaction for all the wrongs done to them, think again. And as I mentioned earlier Lamar’s there to remind us exactly about that. For those of you who don’t have any idea about what I’m talking about, feel free to listen to Lamar’s first two studio albums “Section 80” and “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”. And when I say listen, I’m not talking about just bouncing with a joint or something, but actually taking your time to immerse yourself in the philosophy, lyrics and overall message these two albums deliver. I know that’s gonna be hard to do for people these days, people who are so often used to getting the catch in a tune and moving along without being bothered by the depth an artist is trying to deliver.

There was I time I wanted to write about Rap being dead, realising that the only thing niggas were interested in at that time was the bling, the fame and the bitches. I mean, take a look around and look at all this insanity that has been happening with Hip-Hop lately… An this dive into rubbish doesn’t end on Hip-Hip, in fact it moves on to black culture as well and culture in general if we look at the bigger picture. Being involved in this culture since the 90s (that’s for about 20 years now) there’s one thing that really strikes me, and that’s nothing other than the way black emancipation through culture (which is basically the only route left) has been stagnant all this time. Even Obama didn’t help with all his “hope & change” gibberish. In fact, it looks like all these blacks in America (who in my opinion should be at the very forefront of black culture and emancipation) have been stuck in a role that has been fashioned by all these years of institutionalisation they have undergone and it looks like there is no way that they’re going or even worse, willing, to let themselves go free of these chains. Crazy stuff!!! Sorry for the outcry, but this is directly connected to Kendrick in the way that he is the only nigga out there who came from the streets and is really trying to Do The Right Thing without getting lost in the hype, fame and you know what else. Just think what could have happened if 2Pac and B.I.G weren’t limited by the reality of their ghetto/gangsta attitude and made an attempt to liberate themselves (well, at least if they were given the time to do so), or if Nas and Jay Z weren’t trying to be just the next kings of Hip-Hop or the richest niggas around (well at least most of the time) and rather focused on emancipating the black man. If you leave out all the bling and swag, you get culture and creativity a thing that a few rappers out there cherish. As he says in one of his songs, “he’s out there to f**k the industry hard” and god knows he's good at it.

While writing this post, Lamar’s new album “To Pimp a Butterfly” was released and this album is yet another way of celebrating this new phase in Rap music… Celebrating the fact that being creative EVEN in Hip-Hop is bliss. Creative in the sense that a rapper can indeed go beyond the role he is presumed to have, beyond the miasma of swag and emptiness. Indeed, even the funk/soul infused tracks of “To Pimp a Butterfly” is somewhat of a challenge to my hard-banging rap trained ear. It sounds as if the whole album is out there to test the audience’s loyalty and expertise of the genre. Something that only a few albums and rappers out there have attempted to do with great prowess (talking of Nas’ Illmatic, Jay-Z’s Reasonable doubt,The Notorious B.I.G's Ready To Die and other classics produced over the past two decades). That's another major problem Hip-Hop as a whole had no meaningful vessels (rappers) who understand and commit to their role of leaders. Well, that was the case until, Kendrick 20 something years old, comes out of nowhere and makes a statement that Hip-Hop is still relevant, in spite of all the Macklemores and Iggys out there (that’s right bullsh*t music remains bullsh*t even if it’s as popular as hell). Some might say that there are tons of musicians both in Rap music and other genres thats are pro-social, philanthropic and so on. Musicians who tried to make a difference, do something that will help and empower people rather than , but (in my opinion of course) they all had two major shortcomings. The first is that they aren't that compelling musically and tend to place the "message" way ahead of the music and for this reason all seem to be half-notch artists. Then next major issue is that all these Pseudo "demi-gods" get lost in all the hype, money and fame that comes along celebrity. As for Kendrick he stands on the exact opposite of that. I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y is the only way out here. So, watch out for the new standard in Rap music...

Thank you Kendrick for daunting us, for inspiring us, levitating us, empowering us and letting us know there's nothing wrong in being us, Negus...