This week I will be reviewing the album DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar. Objectively, Kung-fu Kenny is considered to be one of the greatest rappers of our time. To put this into perspective, this album won a Pulitzer Prize after it was released – but not for music. Instead, Lamar was the first to be awarded the prize in poetry for his music. He somehow is able to paint the most vivid stories (as you will see below) while still flowing over beats that make you bop your head. This album just had its 4th year anniversary yesterday, which is why I decided to review it.  Since then, K.Dot has not dropped any more albums. Some speculate another big one is in the works, while others think he is done. Either way, his career has been one of the best and he will go down in history as an all time hip-hop and rap legend. 

Favorite Songs: DNA, PRIDE, DUCKWORTH, LUST

Duckworth

Usually, I review 2 songs on each post, but this song is so lyrically and symbolically dense it could takes a lot of explaining. First of all, even without listening to the lyrics, the song is just a good listen, but I will focus on its meaning. For background, Lamar grew up in Compton, California, which is notorious for its gang violence and high crime rate. It is known to be the most dangerous neighborhood in california, and one of the top in the US.  Kenny paints one of the most amazing, mind-blowing stories you’ll ever hear – all over music while rhyming it. So buckle your seats ladies and gentlemen. 

The song starts talking about a young boy named Anthony who presumably grew up in Compton, a nice boy who was the oldest of 7. His life was a struggle; his single mother who raised him and his siblings was a meth addict. He had a family history of gang involvement, and so Anthony was quickly thrust into the same environment. He gradually worked his way up the ranks, making more money from robberies while dodging policemen. He eventually wound up being accused of a murder case (which he 99.9% did do), but because of a lack of evidence, he was not proven guilty. Anthony gets back to business, and one day heads over to a local KFC. 

Pause. 

Kendrick now tells the story of a man named Ducky (Duckworth), who was the cashier at this KFC. He and his wife moved to California in hopes of getting their son to better schools. But, unfortunately for Ducky, Anthony and his gang would regularly rob that KFC. The year before, they robbed the place and even gunned down a customer in cold blood. It was safe to say that these men were not to be messed with, and Ducky knew this. When Anthony was loitering around the KFC one day presumably to plan a robbery, Ducky approached him to offer him free food. He wanted to get on his good side in the hopes of not being killed. Whenever Anthony or his gang would go to the KFC, Ducky would always give them free food. The gang liked Ducky so much that they decided to leave the KFC alone, for good. 

Now here is where the story comes full circle. Ducky the cashier is Kendrick’s young father, and Kendrick was the bright boy hoping to get into college. When Kendrick was thrust into the limelight and was noticed by record labels, he decided to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment. It soon became one of the most prolific labels in the music industry, and it still is. And who started Top Dawg Entertainment, you may ask? The one and only Anthony Tiffith. Unbeknownst to Anthony, he had coincidentally signed the boy whose father he was moments away from murdering. So, as Kendrick describes, “if Anthony killed Ducky, Top Dawg (Anthony) would be serving life, while I grew up with no father and died in a gunfight.” So, one of the most legendary rappers in history all happened from a lucky coincidence and an act of kindness. This is all a true story, as confirmed by Kendrick, his father, and Anthony Tiffith. 

It certainly is a small, small world.

This week I will be reviewing one of Kanye’s most successful albums, Graduation. This album is studded with classic songs and gives off such a great vibe while listening to it.

Favorite songs: Champion, I wonder, Stronger

 

Champion

It’s impossible to listen to this song without bopping your head or tapping your feet. The combination of an ‘earworm’ beat and an upbeat Kanye flow makes this song stuck in your head for a while. Similar to the mood of the song, ye’s tone is ecstatic and proud, as he  rolls in his glory of being one of the greatest musicians and producers of his generation. The refrain of this song is a major indicator of this idea, singing “Did you realize that you were a champion?” In his first line, ye answers the question with “Yes I did.” He doesn’t mind slightly bragging about himself, because, after all, he does deserve it. He talks about his ‘fly style;’ ye’s clothing is a central part of his identity and confidence in himself, especially his lucrative clothing brand partnership with Adidas. As many are aware, the ‘yeezy’ shoes are some of the most sought after on the market. Continuing through the song, ye also delves into his past to talk about his rags to riches rise of fame. His father would often think up “Harebrained schemes to get rich from,” which unfortunately never worked out, leaving the family struggling often. Even though his father was not successful, he still appreciates his hard work, and credits his dad in part for giving him such a driven spirit. The popularity of his debut 3-album “college” trilogy thrusted ye into fame quickly, and he enjoys using this notoriety to help influence others just like his dad did for him. As a college dropout himself, he visits many colleges to motivate kids to stay in school.

 

I Wonder

Ye uses a slower and more rhythmic beat to talk about the dreams of both himself and others. This track starts by citing ye’s rise to fame and how he has “found his dreams [to] come true.” He begins to narrate a conversation between him and a girl who is struggling to find herself and her purpose. She gets in a fight with her boyfriend and she feels upset and hopeless. Yet, ye reminds her that “you can still be who you wish you [are].” He stresses the idea that she, like anyone, is never too old to give up on her dreams, and that they are always worth pursuing. He paints a vivid picture of the girl driving home to her loved ones, sobbing and reuniting with those she moved away from. He asks her if she “[knows] what it all really means;” is she going home because of the fight, or is she going home because she is giving up on her dreams that she tried to achieve?

“I wonder if you know what it means to find your dreams come true”

Ye switches closes this story and begins talking about his own past in his last verse. As a young child, he hoped his name would “help light up the Chicago skyline” while being a “primetime” artist. Although he has accomplished his goals, he still wants to help others out, too. He knows everyone’s goals are different, and so he goes back to talking to the girl to ask what her dreams are. He wonders if she would “trade it all for a husband and some kids,” or if she would rather be “independent.” Either way, he just hopes she will find her dreams, too.

This week I am reviewing Post Malone’s 2018 album, Beerbongs and Bentleys. Post Malone keeps a similar tone throughout the album. In many of the songs, he pours out his deepest thoughts and feelings, ranging for heartbreak to paranoia. This is my most enjoyable album of his, although his entire discography is packed with some of the most popular songs of the decade

Favorite Songs: Paranoid, Rich and Sad, Better Now, Stay

 

Paranoid

As the first song of the album, Post wastes no time getting into his feelings about how his fame has affected his life. He feels as though everyone treats him differently now that he is an international superstar. Everyone wishes they were wealthy and famous, but very few realize many of the cons of being so recognized. As such a popular artist, Post rakes in the cash, but as he does, “even family and friends started switchin / ever since [he] got the check [he sees them itching]”. Even Post Malone recognizes that those closest to him have “switched” their personality around him.  Post worries that nobody likes him for him anymore, and that everyone is only in it for the money. All he wishes is that these people could see him simply as a “person who makes music.” This isn’t common to only him either. As fellow rapper Polo G recently tweeted, “The higher up you go the more they feel like you owe them something”.  Post “doesn’t trust no one”; the greed of others has made him realize that he doesn’t have nearly as many true, genuine friends as he had previously thought.

“Sometimes feels like I got no friends” 

Post isn’t worried just about his friends, though. He also constantly stresses of having his home invaded. Posts states that he “sleeps with a .45 every night.” Sleeping with a gun provides him with a sense of security, knowing that he will always be able to defend himself in a robbery. Although it is safe, the fact Post sleeps with a gun speaks volumes about his mental state and how little trust he holds in his relatives and the rest of the outside world.

 

Better Now

This song focuses on the ending of an old relationship of Post’s. The lyrics are packed with Posts thoughts on the relationship that resonate in many that go through a tough break up. He is speaking to his ex while talking about how he is coping with being single again. As the title suggests, Post assumes that his ex “probably thinks that [she] is better now,” but he reasons that it is only because he isn’t around anymore for her to see. He believes that absence makes the heart grow fonder, hoping that she still has feelings for him. Post begins to reminisce about their relationship and how he thought they would be together forever. At just 20, Post had already introduced her to all of his family because he thought they were “looking forward to the rest of [their lives]” together. But unfortunately she did not envision the same future, and had already moved on into a new relationship. Seeing her happy with someone else brings out Post’s sadness, as he knows in his heart that he still has feelings for her. He tries to think of ways to get her back, pondering if “another foreign [car] or a bigger chain” would do the trick. But, Post comes to accept that he will “be okay.” Heartbreak is never easy and Post Malone is going through his rough patch right now, but he knows that in the end everything will be alright. 

“Used to keep my picture posted by your bedside, now it’s in your dresser with the socks you don’t like”

 

This week I’ll be reviewing Pony, by Rex Orange County, aka Alex O’Connor. I try to keep my taste as diverse as possible and avoid just liking one specific genre. This being said, when it comes to alternative music, Rex takes the cake. Ever since I started listening to him a few years ago, I enjoyed the vocals and instrumentals in the music and how mellow it is.

Favorite Songs:  10/10, Always, Pluto Projector

Always

The song stories O’Connor’s long-time relationship and how he learned to become more open toward others instead of bottling up his emotions. He talks about how he always feels “defeated” and has difficulty “carrying on” with his life. In an interview with NPR, he admitted that he was struggling mentally while working on the album. This gives the song a much more personal meaning, as it follows the singer’s own battle with depression and anxiety. But, as he says in the song, once he met his girlfriend, Thea, he realized he wasn’t the only one with struggles. He reflects on his past self and how there will “always be a part of [him] that…believes everything is fine.” O’Connor used to keep his pain to himself rather than reaching out to others to let out his emotions. Now, he is learning to accept that it’s OK to be vulnerable toward others, especially his girlfriend. As he says, “it seems I’m not invincible,” and he is absolutely correct.

“I’ve been incredibly unhealthy mentally, I feel, for that entire time of making it [Pony], and to this day I still feel like I’m a different person. But I’m happier now.”

 

Pluto Projector

Rex is reflecting on the beauties of his long- term relationship while also trying to understand his role in life. He starts out questioning “what [he’s] supposed to be” and worrying about what his future holds. But, he puts this on pause to sing about his girlfriend and the effect she has had on his well-being. He speaks directly to her, expressing that he “feels at home when [he’s] around her.” Even though they had been together for over 3 years, the relationship still feels like the honeymoon phase to him, where everything in the relationship is perfect. But, he reverts back to his questioning of self, professing that he’s “still a boy inside [his] thoughts,” and that he doesn’t think he’s “supposed to understand [himself].” He wishes he was more like his girlfriend, who seems to know her purpose in life. The song closes with – and I cannot exaggerate this enough – the most beautiful piece of instrumentals I have ever heard in my entire life. I put it on maximum volume and it gives me chills every single time I listen to it. A short verse follows of O’Connor  voicing his appreciation for his girl, and how she knows and understands him, possibly more than he does himself.

Unfortunately, O’Connor and Thea recently separated, and Rex fans are absolutely heartbroken. No one knows what effect this will have on the rest of the singer’s career, but hopefully he can move past the separation to appreciate himself and his amazing career

The first album I chose was J. Cole’s most popular album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. J. Cole is undoubtedly one of the best lyricists in the game; his ability to tell detailed stories while simultaneously tailoring his delivery to perfectly flow on the beat is unmatched. The Album has songs ranging from a  hard, drill-type beat to a mellow, smooth rhythm, and Cole utilizes every one perfectly.

Favorites: January 28th, GOMD, Love Yourz

It was extremely difficult to pick my favorites because there wasn’t a single lazy track on the album, but here are descriptions/analyses of 2 of my chosen tracks (I would do more, but it’s so dense that I couldn’t fit it in 500 words)

January 28th

J. Cole begins his album with the day he was born. The song is centered around his identity. He talks about how much of himself he shares through his rapping. It makes him uncomfortable how much people know about him, feeling they know more about him than even he does. He continues on his struggle and frustration in finding his own identity,apart of what the media paints him to be. He wants to remain true to himself and resist being corrupted by the industry, forced to become a character that isn’t truly himself. is putting his thoughts and feelings to paper, quite literally. The consistent, rhythmic beat is the perfect compliment to his raw confessions.

 

GOMD

Cole switches up to a delivery packed with confidence, rapping over a harder beat. His fame has brought popularity to his city, but many believe he has changed and aren’t as accepting of him. Cole believes he is justified to feel proud of himself.

“Everybody scared of the [man whose] aware that he is better.”

In the chorus, He criticizes the popular songs with vile themes and meaningless lyrics, directly mocking songs like “Get Low” by Lil Jon. He begins to question himself in the bridge of the song, though, as even HE wants to “go back to Jermaine,” before he was famous. He taps into this past history, talking about a past love that never healed He thought that he was “better off without em” but realizes now that he “can’t leave without em.” He is upset that nobody ever raps about true feelings like love anymore (“This is the part that the thugs skip”at the start of the verse / “It’s called love, people don’t sign about it no more”) right before mocking the trending songs in the chorus). He wraps up the song accepting his successes and re-establishing his confident character

Whether you’re a fan of hip hop or not, I would highly recommend this album. There’s a song for every mood, whether you’re getting pumped for a workout or staring at your ceiling in bed at 3 a.m. Cole is supposed to release his final album this year, and I pray to God it’s half as good as this.