About the Tracks
To Pimp a Butterfly (TPAB) is and probably always will be my favorite album of all time. I can, with full confidence, state that I believe it is the best music project ever created. I know that is a bold argument, but I truly do believe this landmark album will stand the test of time and will continue to influence many future generations. "Kendrick Lamar: Self and Society" is my analysis on one of TPAB's countless themes that I document in hopes of convincing you, the reader, why this album is so important and why you should appreciate Lamar as much as I do.
Throughout this portfolio, I explain how Kendrick Lamar on TPAB ascends as a key advocate for Black empowerment -- especially within his hometown community in Compton. I primarily focus on the two songs "u" and "i" because I believe they best represent Lamar as a voice against systemic inequality and a leader urging the Black community to break the cycle of perpetual trauma.
Lets take a step back before we fully dive into TPAB's nuances though. You might be wondering from earlier, what got me into this album and what does it mean to me? Being from a younger generation, I only started to listen to music when Lamar already dominated the charts. His funky, catchy melodies introduced me to many new genres and I developed an appreciation for his most popular songs. Eventually, I experienced a loss in my life and developed greater admiration for Lamar's artistry after relating to his lyrics on tracks such as "u". I realized how Lamar's music, especially TPAB, is extremely special since anyone can connect to his lyrics in their own unique ways. His music is universal which enables him to connect to individuals in so many unique ways while simultaneously contributing so much to larger communities and cultures. This ability enables Lamar to spread empowerment to so many and will be discussed heavily in the coming pages.
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I love this album and hope I can help you have a greater appreciation for it too by sharing what I believe Lamar achieved on TPAB.
Enjoy!
This page has paths:
- Kendrick and Compton Charles Lee