Written by Deandra Mccord, contributor
Anxious to hear his voice again, I press play. I must admit that I am a big fan of the remarkable visionary, Kendrick Lamar, since his successful year in 2013 after his release of his 2012 album, “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” His ability for narrative and poetic lyrics has already been recognized. The question now is whether he can go above and beyond the expected.
The sound of a record player flares through the speakers. It is a classic sound for such a classic in the making. From the first five words of George Clinton’s voice in “Wesley’s Theory,” I know Kendrick has something to say, and for the next hour and a half he has my undivided attention. The sound of the saxophone places me in a small 1920’s pub on the side of the street corner late at night. It is overcrowded, yet I feel as if I am the only one in the room.
The overall sound of the album is like the aroma of milk and honey seeping through the lid of a pot and rising through the air. Yet his words, in a neat, procedural way, can slice you open to reveal the nauseating, fleshy truth you conceal. In “Complexion (A Zulu Love),” Kendrick makes a point to address colorism as an African American. He states:
“It all came from God then you was my confirmation
I came to where you reside
And looked around to see more sights for sore eyes
Let the Willie Lynch theory reverse a million times with…”
I can never be angry about Kendrick’s political stance even if I am against his views. (Yes, this album is very political.) Whether it is literal, such as in “Hood Politics”:
“From Compton to Congress,
Set trippin’ all around,
Ain’t nothin’ new but a flu of new DemoCrips and ReBloodlicans,
Red state versus a blue state, which one you governin’?
They give us guns and drugs, call us thugs…”
Or an obscure suggestion of a conspiracy theory in “Mortal Man”:
“If I’m tried in a court of law, if the industry cut me off,
If the government want me dead, plant cocaine in my car,
Would you judge me a drug-head or see me as K. Lamar,
Or question my character and degrade me on every blog?”
His approach towards presenting his perspective is witty, similar to the way someone would curse you out without saying one curse word, leaving you standing there only to fathom the insults after they disappear.
Kendrick’s vivid words and sound entice me to take note of his point of view which is an artistic charisma perfect for today’s troubled society.
