Grammy-winning artist Kendrick Lamar reintroduces his fans to critiques on the demanding, rigid nature of the modern music industry while celebrating blackness through raw, pre-disco funk.
Kendrick Lamar’s album “untitled unmastered.” was released by Aftermath/Interscope (Top Dawg Entertainment) records on March 4. The album addresses issues such as racism, classism and colorism that are prevalent in today’s society in a hypnotically savvy and jazz-infused manner. Closely accompanied by instrumental melodies and raw vocals, the album reveals Lamar’s focus, as it alludes to society’s very own past and present state.
The LP consist of eight tracks with no official titles, and instead are given dates ranging a three year span.
Fans have taken to social media, speculating as to the EP’s ambiguous arrival and nature, but have yet to come to a unanimous understanding.
Lamar’s latest album is a follow-up to last year’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” as it too attempts to liberate itself from the restraints of rap music production.
Lamar recently said that his new album is a continuation of the album.
“We’re definitely trying to break chains musically and socially,” said Top Dawg Entertainment Co-President Terrence “Punch” Henderson in a recent Billboard interview. “The whole thing to me just represents breaking the chains, whatever those chains might be, whatever chains society put on you. We’re trying to break those and be free.”
“Love won’t get you high as this,” raps Lamar in his seventh track ‘untitled 07| 2014-2016’. “Drugs won’t get you high as this/ Fame won’t get you high as this/ Chains won’t get you high as this/ Juice won’t get you high as this/ Crew won’t get you high as this/ Hate won’t get you high as this.”
This track highlights the constraining of chains, indicating that love, drugs, fame and etc. are but a few of the elements that confine an artist.
It is by mentioning these elements that Lamar is able to identify and dismantle any and all restraints, freeing both himself and others.
Musical constraints within the entertainment industry are not unheard of.
“Most artists have a certain lane they have to stay in but for him to put out songs [from ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ sessions]…shows you that he can do whatever he wants,” said Henderson.
“I pushed the club to the side for you,” states Lamar in his opening track ‘untitled 01| 08.19.2014’.
Lamar is stepping out of conventions, fashioning a new mode of lyrical harmony, voicing meaningful concepts that are prevalent in today’s society.
He utilizes rap to his advantage, but in a more critical perspective.
For example, Lamar’s recent Grammy performance expressed this notion, for he openly exposed black oppression and exploitation.
Lamar’s newfound voice has gone political.
Kendrick’s third track ‘untitled 03| 05.28.2013.’ expresses this in further detail.
“A piece of mines/ That’s what the white man wanted when I rhyme/ Telling me that he selling me just for $10.99,” raps Lamar.
Lamar alludes to the commercial mindset, undermining American capitalistic economy, for even now the “white man” profits from what the black man reaps.
“Levitate, levitate, levitate” raps Lamar.
Lamar’s musical lyrics call for an innovative change in thought, prompting us to “levitate, levitate, levitate” above all constraints and distractions, for nothing “won’t get you as high as this,” raps Lamar.
Kendrick is transforming the musical industry an album at a time, and all we can do is hope that we’ll be around long enough to appreciate every groovy line.