The Lyrical Anatomy, Artistic Visions and Genius of Kendrick Lamar Part 2: Damn

Verse of the Day:

Proverbs 29:11

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

We have an obligation to discuss THE album that caught the attention of the literary community, so much so, that it earned a Pulitzer prize! The very first time the prestigious award has been given to a rap album. Let's talk about "DAMN", the passion album of the trinity I'll be discussing this week. (See, Part 1 for reference)

My Thesis:

When I say passion, I mean that in the best and worse of ways. We start trekking deep waters with DAMN when the image of Kendrick's future starts to drift from just a boy from Compton, old demons with new faces and challenges that reveal more about himself and the people around him.

There are repeating elements and patterns of "To Pimp a Butterfly", he's just on a different battlefield, from his neighborhood and everything he knows to studio sessions. His battles and demons began to morph into something new with more severe consequences for choosing to feed them. However, songs like DNA and Element show his sheer strength, power and influence not just as a rapper but as a person and a creator. The mental resilience he's built from his experiences have granted him the super power of self assurance in his art. He's not going to apologize for who he is. DAMN is acceptance before the real healing begins.

Isaiah's Perspective and Thesis:

THIS is Kendricks Magnum Opus, his greatest work. Many people (again) believe that Kendrick was losing himself, when comparing this albulm to the likes of "Good Kid M.a.a.D City" and "Section 80". The reality was, this is the birth of the Kendrick we are witnessing today. The duality mentioned in the previous album, Kendrick is now faced with weither he is going to cave to the conformity or is he going to remember his "why", why he pursued rap/hip hop. The entire element of the album is choosing wickedness or weakness as a black man in American society (most of the same elements we see in the previous album but on a more personal level). From tracks 1-14, we experience Kendrick converting from his wickedness and anxieties into the man who is greatful, humble, and reflective, (choosing the supposed weakness). However, a magical things happens when you listen to the album in reverse, the same songs we listened to in the beginning take on a different message. We see a "good kid" become "Wicked". Kendrick Lamar gives us audible cues of these changes by introducing a reverse sound effect throughout the album and when we hear the featured DJ Kid Capri. It is my theory that God talks to Kendrick in this album as the blind woman mentioned in track 1 (or 14 if you listen in reverse). From Track 1, the "Wicked" Kendrick gets shot by a blind woman and wakes up to change his ways. From Track 14 (in reverse), as Kendrick becomes wicked, he decides to perform one more good deed but succumbs to death as a consquence for his wickedness. If that sounds deep, and crazy, that's EXACTLY why he won a pulitzer prize. (I've listened to this album on repeat from 2017-2023, day in and day out).

Elements I found in the lyrics and videos for DAMN

• Good vs Evil

• The battle within himself

• loyalty (who can I trust?)

• Black American Dystopia

• Conflict between being famous and being notorious

• Past and Present

• Morality Conflict

• Awareness

• Acceptance

• Respect and tribute

• death

• fear becomes faith

Summary: Kendrick's natural ability to paint a picture of his internal and external conflict is so inspiring for me as a creator and definitely as a poet. I found myself repeating songs and videos and just admiring the art of what he's talking about. I'd close my eyes and find myself in a space where Kendrick is the professor to the study of his world and as a student, I'd diligently take notes. I believe ALL creators should be studying this man BEFORE he leaves us. As poets and story tellers, being able to convey a message to our listeners and readers is important to our reach. He's showing us that its not just how we influence others but which people we influence.....it ALL matters in the end.

"For the love of life and the pursuit of the arts, stay prayerful and write on!"