Part one has Kendrick elaborating on his album title choice (1:41), which is actually a nod to his inspiration Tupac Shakur. He then goes on to explain "Wesley's Theory" (3:20), the first track off the LP and one of Kendrick's most personal tracks. Find out why the song also inspired the album cover, as well as the creation of the chest-pounding anthem "King Kunta" (7:20) and KL's ghostwriting days (9:10) by pressing play above.
Considered the turning point in the album, "u" brings up all of Kendrick's mental health issues he's been struggling with privately to center stage. After considering whether or not he should leave the dirty-laundry song on the final tracklist, he green-lighted it because of the album's theme: leadership. Believing in using his celebrity for good, it only makes sense to Kendrick that he be honest with himself and rap about depression and suicide for other listeners going through the same thing. At 5:40, he delves into his writing process even further by telling the story of his trip to South Africa and how it inspired the record, transitioning into the intense inspiration behind "How Much a Dollar Cost": panhandling.
"The Blacker The Berry" contains some of Kendrick's most cutting lines about race to date, and it's hard not to hear -- and feel -- the anger that comes from his verses on that track. Starting at two minutes into part three, Kendrick states that he's not speaking TO the community...he IS the community. Every line off that track comes from a real place he's been in, and he wants you to know that. Look out for an explanation as to why he included a live version of "i" on the record at 5:38 as well.
In the final part of the interview, Kendrick talks TPaB's last track -- "Mortal Man" -- and its thoughtful chorus When s*** hit the fan, is you still a fan? Tying back to the album's theme of leadership, as well as Tupac's influence, KL talks the rare interview tapes with 'Pac himself that appears at the tail end of "Mortal Man." Watch it above, and get a real sense of who Kendrick Lamar is as a performer, activist, and most of all: a songwriter.
Share your favorite track off Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly with us below.
Kendrick Lamar Break Down Eight 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Tracks MTV VIDEO
0 comments:
Post a Comment