Throughout his career, Kendrick Lamar has used his music to impact fans through social commentary and relatable storytelling.
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Focusing on Systemic Issues
Many Kendrick Lamar songs explore systemic issues, but fans have a few favorites that address what happens within the Black community and society. “Alright” became an anthem for protests surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement by critiquing police brutality and racial profiling but offering a message of hope to listeners. “The Blacker the Berry” has a similar message that explores the complexities of race relations and challenges stereotypes about Black identity and internalized racism.
“King Kunta” addresses materialism while embracing self-determination but acknowledges how Black Americans face systemic challenges when striving for success. “Wesley’s Theory” is the opposition as it explores themes of poverty, addiction, and the criminal justice system. It discusses how marginalized communities deal with these internal situations.
Some Of Kendrick Lamar Songs Are A Call To Action
In his songs, Kendrick Lamar uses a call to action for his fans to be more involved in the community while addressing issues impacting Black neighborhoods and society. “Compton” feat. Dr Dre discusses the rapper’s challenges in his hometown of Compton, California. In the end, he asks for unity and change within the community. Another song, “XXX. (mAd city)” addresses the cyclical nature of violence and poverty, but the rapper ends the song with the message: “Control what you can control.” It is a call to action for those who want to break free from unfavorable circumstances and take on personal responsibility.
“Mortal Man” features a spoken word portion by Tupac Shakur that urges listeners to wake up and fight for justice and serves as a call to action for social and political change—following a similar theme, “DNA” ft. Donte Perkins addresses the story of Anton Sterling and highlights the issues of police brutality and racial injustice.
Cultural Impact Mixed With Chart-Topping Hits
Kendrick Lamar’s cultural impact within the past decade has changed how listeners resonate with hip-hop music. His first hit, “Swimming Pools(Drank)” was released in 2014 and addressed the issues of peer pressure, materialism, and social expectations within the Black community. “HUMBLE.” released in 2017, reached critical acclaim and topped the charts as the song’s message of self-reflection and challenging materials sparked debate among listeners.
His latest single, “Not Like Us,” addressed the importance of authenticity in hip-hop, cultural appropriation, and the changing dynamics in the genre. Although it was a diss track toward Drake, the song became an instant hit on social media and reached the top of the charts. Additionally, the song did have critics due to the overall message strictly focusing on rap beef; it solidified its impact on the culture.