Kendrick Lamar: Hip-hop icon’s life told through his songs

With a cover featuring a group of black people on the White House lawn with bottles of liquor and cash, the album cemented the Compton rapper’s place as the voice of a hip-hop generation.

Since then, Lamar has scored a number one single, been nominated for an Oscar, and delivered one of the most iconic Glastonbury headline sets of recent times, making his performance “bleed” from the crown of thorns and repeating the mantra. I was. Christ/God’s Speed ​​for Women’s Rights in Protesting Roe v. Wade’s Overthrow”.

read more: Kendrick Lamar Review: A Hip-Hop Masterclass With Mrs. Helen Mirren

He is one of the most interesting artists working today and this is his life in his own words.

HIIIPOWER (section.80, 2010)

First official single released from Lamar’s independent album Section 80, “HiiiPoWeR” was a taste of what was to come, featuring references to Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Kurt Cobain.

SWIMMING POOLS (DRANK) (Good Kid mAd City, 2012)

While “The Recipe,” featuring Compton legend Dr. Dre, made waves on the hip-hop charts, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” was Kendrick’s first mainstream hit. The title might suggest an ode to partying, but the song itself is a meditation on alcoholism.

COLLECT CALLS (Good Kid, mAd City, 2012)

Included as a bonus track on the breakthrough album Good Kid, MAAD City “Collect Calls” demonstrates Lamar’s power as a storyteller. It follows a gang member named Dante facing prison and desperately reaching out to her mother for help, but her mother replies, “I’d rather see you trapped than die.” , is the story of testifying against his son.

THE BLACKER THE BERRY (To Pimp A Butterfly, 2015)

Perhaps Lamar’s best example of social commentary, the track opens with the harsh line, “I’m the biggest hypocrite of 2015.” From there, the Compton rapper turns the tables on his final verse, opposing America’s history of racism and the legacy of slavery. * Blacker than me?/Hypocrite!”

ALRIGHT (To Pimp A Butterfly, 2015)

A more hopeful approach to life has become the anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement. Its pre-chorus, inspired by a visit to South Africa, declares “We hate popo/Want to kill us in the streets for show show” before Pharrell Williams walks in, Nevertheless, “we are “okay”.

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Bad Blood (1989, 2015)

If you want more evidence of success in the stratosphere, Lamar pimp a butterfly That was his guest appearance on the single “Bad Blood” from Taylor Swift’s World Ruler album. 1989Both albums were nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, with the “Bad Blood” remix taking first place.

Humble (DAMN., 2017)

Lamar’s first number 1 as a solo artist followed quickly with what might become his most famous song. Piano and 808 beats back his single with a thunderous lead full of ironic braggadocio.

ALL THE STARS (Black Panther: The Album, 2017)

I was asked to contribute some tracks for the Marvel soundtrack. black panther, Lamar went completely to himself and curated the entire album. It won rave reviews from critics, and the single “All the Stars” (a collaboration with SZA) was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars and topped the US charts.

THE HEART PART 5 (Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, 2022)

Released as a promotional single prior to Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, the eye-catching video for “The Heart Part 5” was a genuine “internet-breaking” moment. transformed into OJ Simpson, Kanye West, Jussie Smollett, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle.

SAVIOR (Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, 2022)

Finding himself an unofficial spokesperson for socially conscious hip-hop, especially thanks to “Alright” and its association with BLM, Lamar tried to turn down the role on his 2022 album. Kendrick made you think about it, but he’s not your savior,” he begins this highlight track that ponders political correctness, Covid, capitalism, and the war in Ukraine.

Bonus

King Kunta (To Pimp A Butterfly, 2015)

The 3rd single from “Kunta Kinte” in the title. pimp a butterfly We see Lamar proclaim himself the king of hip-hop and take aim at a rapper who hires a ghostwriter. cell”.

NO MORE PARTIES IN LA (The Life of Pablo, 2016)

Kanye West’s mental health issues were clearly affecting his work with the release. Life of Pablo However, the brilliance moment still shone in this collaboration with Lamar.

i (To Pimp A Butterfly, 2015)

The confrontational album’s most pop moment, “i,” incorporates The Isla Brothers’ “That Lady,” in which Ronald Islay re-records his vocals rather than having Lamar sample them. . As usual, there’s a sharp turn in stopping the singing and addressing deaths from gang violence in spoken language.

N95 (Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, 2022)

The “N95”, named after the surgical masks used during the Covid pandemic, shows Kendrick’s aim at the fashion industry.

MAAD City (Good Kid, MAAD City, 2012)

A scathing takedown of Compton gang culture featuring the hook “If Pirus and Crips get it right/By the end of this song, they’ll probably shoot me.”