Argument Against Lamar

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DAMN! Lamar is back at it again, but this time with a new style. After we thought Lamar could not top To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar once again takes the rap industry by surprise with his newly released record: DAMN. Although Lamar released DAMN just 7 months ago, it has gone double platinum and won Best Album of the Year at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Lamar has already made it known that he is an important figure in the rap industry as well as the black community. In 2015, protesters in Oakland, California took the streets chanting Lamar’s “Alright”. In his new record, DAMN, Lamar harnesses his artistry and influence to discuss abstract ideas and address racism in a post-Obama era. The album literally makes people say, “DAMN”. Lamar, now on top of …show more content…

To Pimp a Butterfly does not shy away from controversial issues, such as racism in the black community. Rolling Stone contributor, Greg Tate, writes “Lamar straight up owns rap relevancy on Butterfly” (Tate). The cover art for the album even features many shirtless black men posing with money in front of the white house. Before To Pimp a Butterfly Lamar discussed his upbringing, the hood, drug use, peer-pressure and other personal experiences, but To Pimp a Butterfly was different. The album “is densely packed, dizzying rush of unfiltered rage and unapologetic romanticism” (Tate). Lamar has no problem spitting raw bars in the album in regards to controversial issues; you can take it or leave it. Kendrick Lamar, the great story-teller, evolved his music into influential works of …show more content…

“YAH” features Lamar’s frustration with FOX news’ negative portrayal of Lamar in regards to the black community. Lamar says “Yah, Yah/ Yah Yah/ Yah Yah” in reference to “Yaweh”. Yaweh is thought to be God’s name. He says “Yah” because Lamar is calling to god for assistance. Although Lamar does not say it directly, his frustration with FOX news sometimes gets to him, “My girls told me don’t let these hoes get in my head” (Lamar). The song is rapped over a low energy beat to further emphasize Lamar’s feelings about the media. “LUST” discusses people’s weakness to pleasure and how that weakness ultimately causes us to not care about the real world. Lamar raps “Wake up in the mornin'/ thinkin' 'bout money, kick your feet up” which follows with Lamar rapping about different scenarios that involve money, sex and drugs. Lamar raps “Lookin' for confirmation, hopin' election wasn't true” then later raps “Time passin', things change/ Revertin' back to our daily programs, stuck in our ways; Lust”. Lamar suggests that we are too caught up in our lustful pleasures to fully commit to anything meaningful. Lamar’s monotone vocals in both “LUST” and “FEAR” are used to show his frustration and hopelessness with America, which we could say is the “sadness” he

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