Kendrick Lamar: Cultural Icon

              Kendrick L. Duckworth, known to us as Kendrick Lamar, has had a run in the last year and a half that artists hope to have over their career. His second album, To Pimp a Butterfly not only shattered the charts by setting and breaking digital streaming records, but it also served as a timely and appropriate cultural statement for a generation that needed a soundtrack for its pain and anguish. Reminiscent of the turbulent 60’s, America is embroiled in yet another racial and culturally unstable period, accentuated by  blatant racism and tyranny. The onslaught of police brutality cases against civilians as well as the open hatred for people of different religions and sexual orientation are just a few of the hallmark moments. Black people in general have seen and experienced quite a bit of everything in the last two years which is what makes Kendrick’s album so powerful. Not only does his album serve as a source of pride for black youth and adult alike, it also bridges the gap between genre and times, fusing jazz, soul and funk together all in one project. T.P.A.B. honored the tradition of black music all while presenting us with a positive black male whose confidence and racial identity remained central to the project. His recent Grammy experience however just furthered elevated what he means to rap music and in a sense black music all over.

                   One of the more popular songs on his sophomore album, Alright is looked at by many as a cultural affirmation, a message of hope for a people constantly attacked and scrutinized by others. This very song was attacked this year by Geraldo Rivera and other media pundits who felt as if the song contained an anti-police message, citing several of its lyrics out of context while also suggesting the song encouraged violence against law enforcement. With all of the hoopla surrounding it, it is only fitting that Kendrick performed this song at the 58th Grammy Awards Show in front of America and the world. The message the song contains resonates with those familiar with the culture and while it may go over many heads, its impact can not be stated enough. Society tonight got to see a black man unselfishly use a major platform to promote black pride with a furor that only rap could bring. Rap, the scourge of America, the source of all black America’s ills in some people’s eyes, tonight brought forth one of the most poignant social moments in history at the perfect time. Kendrick’s historic night at the Grammy’s with 11 nominations is in itself noteworthy, but in the end his performance is what many will one day view as the real accomplishment. In a sense Kendrick just elevated himself to a level that only rapper Tupac Shakur reached, a level where one’s social awareness and life transcends their core audience and instead reaches the world. In short, Kendrick today showed why he is indeed King Kendrick, leader of the new school.