Yo, Kendrick, you’re giving away something this good for free?
You guys are watching the new Kendrick Lamar video on repeat, right?
Sorry that I’m posting something rap-related that’s not about zombie waffles or whatever you guys were on about last night on Twitter but I’ve been revisiting Kendrick Lamar the past few days and I have a question. Maybe it’s been answered already (point me towards an answer, someone?) — I don’t get why he’s been co-signed by so many rap heavyweights, like being called the new “King of the West Coast” by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and (the) Game. It’s not because I think he’s overrated or anything, because I find him to be absolutely fantastic like everyone else who’s listened to him, but because when rappers, and musicians in general I guess, co-sign someone, it tends to be a musician who’s similar in aesthetic. Lamar doesn’t have the explicit bravado and (sorry) swagger that those three have, and I’m not saying that what he lacks are failings of him because those two characteristics are not necessary to be successful (case in point: Lamar!). It’s just that if he had those attributes, I’d understand those co-signs. Also, I find that the “detrimental effects of the Reagan era” theme of Section.80 to be pretty on the nose (not a problem if it’s done well, like here) in a way that those three aforementioned rappers never are. There’s that too.
Also, J. Cole is a much better producer than rapper, amirite.
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Drake f/Kendrick Lamar - “Buried Alive (Interlude)” (Cash Money, 2011)In which Kendrick Lamar, the best technical rapper in his age bracket but still very much an underground artist by all definitions of the word, is given two full minutes of uninterrupted rapping on what will likely be the second best selling pop rap album of the year. Does that put an end to this whole ridiculous theory that the bitter are floating?
There are points on Take Care - “HYFR,” “Look What You’ve Done” - where you can clearly hear Drake bending and tightening his flows to a Kendrick angle. Drake still comes off a lot looser and whinier and more insufferable, but the influence is pretty clear. Which is interesting because I think there’s always been a little bit of Drake in what Kendrick does, creating something of a feedback loop.
I’ve liberated “Buried Alive” from “Marvin’s Room” and Take Care. Once again I listen to Drake so you don’t have to. Thank me now.
Is there a Grammy for “Best Public Service Edit”? Because Noz should at least get a nomination for this.
