“Is it wickedness? Is it weakness? You decide, are we gonna live or die?”
As the first sounds echo from his new album’s intro track titled, “BLOOD”, we find rapper Kendrick Lamar painting a vivid visual about life and death — two opposites that mark the beginning and end of what we come to understand our journey on Earth to consist of.
These two entities serve as the overarching points that our redeemer of hip-hop spreads across his fourth album and third major release, DAMN.
Through the first minute and 58 seconds, Kendrick tackles society head-on by using the intro track to respond to FOX News’ ill-advised attempt to misquote and warp his lyrics from his acclaimed hit, “Alright” after Lamar’s performance at the 2015 BET Awards.
As most people came to understand, the record served as a motivational statement by providing hope while reassuring members of the black community that we will overcome a new age of oppression riddled with police brutality against blacks, racial profiling, violence, and overt racism. After reflecting on FOX’s effort to turn his message of hate into hatred, Kendrick uses his latest crack at musical opulence to construct a series of stories rarely seen in rap and rooted in social consciousness, reflection, and faith.
Upon listening to the collection a total of four times within the first 24 hours of release, I discovered the main purpose of the album is to serve as a musical tithe and offering for the glorification of God.
After thinking back to the numerous lyrics on previous albums (Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d city), quotes from interviews, and other moments where Lamar has given credit to God, it's not a surprise that Kendrick’s latest album was released on Good Friday and just in time for Christianity’s celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ.
In “BLOOD”, we find Kendrick portraying FOX News as a seemingly weak lady who he tried to help before he is surprisingly shot down due to her wicked nature. It can be assumed that Lamar incorporated this opener in order to highlight the same way in which Jesus was sacrificed in a wicked manner after trying to help the weak.
With this concept, Kendrick utilizes his status as one of hip-hop’s leading activists to deliver a call to action to the leaders of the new generation, emotionally and spiritually.
At the tender age of 29-years-old, Kendrick has fully embraced his God-given talents by using his lyrical platform and musical influence to advocate for social justice, peace, and reform in underserved and often oppressed communities. As a 26-year-old myself, this album stands as the motivation millennials like me were so desperately in need of as we continue navigating the defining decades of our life.
DAMN distinguishes itself from the norm by using each track as a means to educate listeners about the most crucial lessons God wishes to teach us through his word as well as through societal experience. As Kendrick places great intention on fostering faith, he simultaneously weaves in the wish that our generation will step up to be the activists and martyrs that are needed.
The album’s second track, “DNA” resonates as a celebration of black heritage and excellence while rejecting the people and organizations who undermine the brilliance of black culture through cultural appropriation, blatant ignorance, and neglectful actions that deter black people from achieving prosperity.
The dignity Kendrick preaches through such a tune speaks volumes to how I need to empower our youth to be proud of the history, perseverance, and intelligence that combine to create what it means to be black.
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Similar to the phrase “be the change you wish to see in the world”, it’s up to you and I to do more than the bare minimum because our children need us to. With the premise that it takes a village to raise up a child, Kendrick’s ability to inspire has caused a young black male like me to feel more responsibility when it comes to contributing time to my community in order to uplift the next generation of leaders. Whether it is through mentoring programs, community service, lobbying, or educational workshops – there is no shortage of opportunities that I have to serve as a change agent locally and abroad.
As Kendrick continues honing in on the origins of life and death, he also places a great focus on intertwining religion into the fold. Even the name of the third track, “YAH”, is loosely associated with the God of Israel, Yahweh. Through this avenue, Lamar portrays an internal conflict with faith and flesh. As he highlights the natural tendency for humans to follow society’s teachings over the stories found in the Bible, he advocates for the new activists of our time to become closer with God in order to live out our purpose.
As he raps in "Yah.", “I’m an Israelite, don’t call me black no mo’, that word is only a color, it ain’t facts no mo,” the wordsmith opposes society’s characterization of us as just black people by aligning himself with the Israelites, the servants of God who existed as the main focus in the book of Deuteronomy.
Living out a continued effort to strengthen my own foundation with God, Kendrick connected with me from a spiritual standpoint by mirroring the walk Christ took to persecution consisting of ridicule, opposition, and hate to his own. As a result, I see that no matter who shuns or dislikes me due to my desire to speak out publicly and truthfully against injustice, I can find comfort in knowing that what remains most important is that I am a child and servant of God.
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As we make our way through the album, Lamar also pushes me to internalize valuable lessons that I must share and convey with all those I interact with in order to educate the masses about life’s most relatable experiences that we all go through.
One of the few songs with a featured artist, “LOYALTY” finds Kendrick and Rihanna emphasizing the value in being a reliable and honest person in both friendships as well as romantic relationships. Through this route, we’re able to preach the practice of doing unto others as you want them to do unto you. Although we are reminded that it is great to be honest and loyal to people instead of materialistic things, we find it most important to remain loyal to a higher power such as God.
Throughout “LUST”, Kendrick dives into the worn out routine celebrities like rap stars and athletes endure as they give into their vices and the many temptations that arise due to their fast-paced lifestyle. However, what I think about is how many young black men and women get lost and set on a downward spiral in life when it comes to promiscuity, drugs, partying, and money. Consequently, we should be encouraged to have more intentional conversations with our young people about what truly matters in life compared to the societal values we tend to lust after.
In other songs, Kendrick brings our emotional side to the forefront by harnessing a love for isolation. “FEEL” seeks sympathy from others as it covers the variety of negative feelings that come with success and accomplishment. The track includes moments where Lamar feels that no one is praying for him, which aligns with the need for a better foundation with God.
What I received from Kendrick through this song was it informing me of how isolation and loneliness can come with an increased sense of leadership. As much as this track seems like a cry for help, Kendrick’s continued ownership of his social activist duties validate the progress we make by speaking out for our people will make the negatives I take on worthwhile.
Found in “FEAR” are several true instances Kendrick faced during his lifetime including battling the pressure and fear instilled by his mother, succumbing to neighborhood violence and police brutality and struggling through the adversity and uncertainty he faced on his 2015 release, To Pimp A Butterfly.
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By digging deep within to reveal these experiences, Kendrick teaches activists about the traumatic experiences our youth typically face in our communities in order to increase awareness towards addressing those problems. After hearing his personal adolescent experiences, I’ve been inspired to learn more about the ways in which I can support youth living in unfortunate home situations while also speaking with city representatives to address neighborhood crime and reform local policing efforts.
At certain points of the album, Kendrick briefly shifts focus from the political perspective, social conscious viewpoint, and foundation of faith to touch on two important topics in his life including a devotion to his fiancée through “LOVE” as well as the mind-blowing story titled “DUCKWORTH”, which details how Kendrick’s mentor Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith once spared the life of his father, Ducky.
Stemming from the usual display of lyrical confidence, Kendrick strives to confirm his presence as the best rapper alive on three songs. “ELEMENT” highlights everything he has overcome in life which has pushed him to be so successful that he cannot be touched in the rap game. “PRIDE” throws us into Lamar’s battle between having pride in his distinction as rap’s greatest versus remaining modest in the eyes of God. “HUMBLE” blasts through with a blaring beat and an aggressive bravado that demands his peers to bow down in humility. “GOD” finds Kendrick praising himself for all of his accomplishments only to be humbled by God, serving as an example of how other rappers who praise their accomplishments will be humbled by K. Dot.
In the album’s most glaring proclamation of activism, “XXX” finds Kendrick calling America out for its hypocrisy through the use of clever imagery. Here, he compares the symbol of the American flag to Mary, Jesus and Joseph but then shares that the flag is withered due to the many explosives (i.e. military forces) that encompass it. Lamar holds nothing back as he acknowledges America’s sin as a nation whether it is through unjust policies, inaccurate media portrayal, or subpar government leadership.
All in all, the path towards establishing a relationship in Christ and then maintaining a fruitful one is very hard. However, it’s powerful to see Kendrick expanding upon his role as one of hip-hop’s leading social activists while also encouraging millennials and black youth everywhere to acknowledge God's presence in their lives.
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