KENDRICK'S IMPACT
Emmanuel Iheke
Aug. 4th, 2018
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is not your typical 21st century rapper. The question one would ask in response to that statement is “why”. Well…take a look at what the rap industry consists of today. Lamar entered the mainstream rap market arguable in 2012 when he dropped Good Kid M.A.A.D. City. He became the self-proclaimed savior of rap. Why? Because deep down we all knew that hip hop was truly dead, or at least on its way to the grave.
Some might argue that there is nothing wrong with hip hop right now. It’s fun! It’s lit! Quite frankly, I agree sometimes. However, I believe we can all agree that the quality of rap has depleted since its birth. Rap was the offspring of pain and lyrical genius, hence the passion and fury that would carry across each verse with a bang. Today, there is less emphasis on lyricism, and even on the messages. No judgement – only observation. Kendrick Lamar, being the conscious rapper that he is, stepped on the scene and rejuvenated the aspects of rap that became neglected throughout the years. He would talk about his hard life growing up in Compton, having associated himself with multiple gang members to the point where he was considered guilty by association. He would rap anecdotes, telling us stories of his friends that passed, his past love affairs and more. This realness in rap had not been completely absent before Kendrick’s arrival, however Kendrick played a huge role by catapulting conscious rap – rap with wordplay, lyricism and message – back into the mainstream rap market.
To this day, Lamar unapologetically raps on social justice and other hot topics from the mass incarceration of black males to gang violence. It is safe to say that Lamar has become the captain of conscious rap. He’s broken streaming records, swept the hip hop category at the Grammy’s (cheated out of two Album of the Year awards but that’s a whole ‘nother topic), and has multiple platinum albums. Not only is Lamar a positive role model in rap, he also has the musical accolades to solidify his greatness in the music industry.
Lamar recently added the Pulitzer Prize to his trophy case; the case one that also holds the keys to the City of Compton. This is a rapper who went against the grain early in his career to revive a side of hip hop he felt still had life, and now we all rever him as arguably the best rapper out today.
Kendrick Lamar is different from every other rapper because he took the time to inspire us and still has the world stardom to go with his successful career.