Well Kendrick Lamar surely ruled the day, delivering a scalding hot verse on rapper Big Sean’s Control. The lyrics were filled with bold claims. Kendrick professes to be the not only the King of the West Coast but also the King of New York. That singular line caused a frenzy with the much beleaguered East Coast. Then if that wasn’t enough, Kendrick took things a step further by naming the names of his competing contemporaries challenging them to step up to his level. The past 6-8 years have been filled with more indirect and inconspicuous lines. But the brazenness to name names is no doubt the major catalyst for the virality of Kendrick Lamar’s verse. But it is clear that most major media outlets have got this all wrong.
WRONG.
This is not a diss record. Kendrick is not attacking anyone. But he’s challenging them. It’s a DUEL. If you research the history of dueling you will find it was an honorable engagement. Kendrick has thrown the proverbial glove before his contemporaries. He’s put it all on the line. The only honorable thing for them to do is to respond.
I feel that Kendrick strongly believes his craft has been disrespected. The art has been lost. The appreciation for it’s history has waned. It has been replaced with one gimmick after another (fashion killin’, molly poppin’, tabloid reading gimmicks). Whereas Kendrick and his TDE crew have delivered some of the most powerful and potent material all year.
WHAT’S A FRIEND SUPPOSED TO DO?
Yes, a friend. Kendrick is being the best friend possible right at this moment. This is also an INTERVENTION. When your homie loses his job, stops bathing, and drinks up his last remaining dollars. You’ve got to intervene. You and as well as the rest of your crew. You slap him upside of the head. You put a mirror before him. TOUGH LOVE. You don’t mince words but you do your best to incite your homeboy. Help him get up on his feet, shower, shave, and pour out the booze. Encourage that man to get his swagger back.
But unfortunately, there will be some who get the message all wrong and will lead themselves to sheer futility and despair. Verbal assault to provoke anger and hatred isn’t needed here. What is needed is for people to “put their boots on and go to work”. I see this having a positive effect on some who will clearly get it. People will be inspired and motivated again. This will only serve to benefit them and most certainly the fans. The fans who have blown what I consider to be a great verse, but nowhere as important, impactful, as other verses by Lamar, completely out of proportion. But this resonated with fans I believe because they too want more.
All in all, if my friends didn’t challenge me I would have to replace all of them. I don’t need complacency. I don’t need comfort. I’m young, hungry and motivated. I love to see my friends find success and break new ground. But this often causes me to look at myself and dig down deeper to do better. If all your friends are good for is chillin’ in the crib, drinking brew, and besting each other on Madden or 2K well you may find inspiration and progress scanty. You also might find yourself taken off guard when you see someone of the same age, potential, and talents suddenly leave you in the dust.
@SireSpeaks
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