Mom, I finna use the van real quick! Be back, fifteen minutes!
Heh, 15 minutes my black ass. I got Sherane on my mind, she runnin' doin laps, I'm about to go do some laps of my own, if you feel me. This van drives like a piece of shit, can't say the same about my driving skills. But she only down the street from Dominguez high, ain't too far. I remember the first time I met Sherane, we was at this house party on El Segundo and Central, shit, did she have the credentials of strippers in Atlanta. Walked up to her and told her, "Hello my name is Kendrick," she said "No, you're handsome." Did I already say she had them credentials? She gave me her Nextel, dropped the number, we chriped the whole summer and well.. I was hooked. But now, I'm tired of waiting. I'm thinking 'bout that sex, thinking about her thighs, never felt my heart beat this fast, cause in a minute, Sherane bout to get.. oh shit! Hell no, who are these hooded niggas?!. Phone's ringing, "Mom". Not right now mom, damn.
Please leave your message for 323, record your message after the tone:
"Kendrick, where you at? Head home! I'm sittin' here waiting on my van. You told me you was gon' be back in fifteen minutes! I gotta get them food stamps, come on now. I hope you ain't out there messin' with them damn hood-rats out there, shit. Especially that crazy ass girl Sherane, plus you got school tomorrow, you keep fuckin' around in them streets, you ain't gon' pass to the next grade, 11th grade.
"New voicemail: Mom"
*Flashback*
Ja$(*@'s white Toyota pulls up.
"Ay, K-dot, get in the car, nigga. Come on, we finna roll out. Nigga I got a pack of blacks and a beat CD, get yo freestyles ready!"
Freestlyin? Nigga this style ain't free! Aight, here I go,
All my life I want money and power, respect my mind or die from lead shower. I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower, so I can fuck the world for seventy-two hours. Goddman I feel amazing, damn i'm in the matrix. My mind is living on cloud nine and this 9 is never on vacation. Start up that Maserati and vroom-vroom I'm racing. Popping pills in the lobby and I pray they don't find her naked, and I pray you niggas is hating, shooters go after Judas, Jesus Christ if I live life on my knees, ain't no need to do this. Park it in front of Lueders, next to the Church's Chicken. All you pussies is losers, all my niggas is winners, screaming..
"alright, alright K-dot, shut yo ass up now, we finna get Ch@* and La#(@*. Then we finna hit up that white house on Brayton st, you know, the one across the street from that nursing center with all those old muthafuckas, heard there was some big screen T.V in there, that shit is ours. Let's roll.
Normally, I'm a sober soul, but I'm with the homies right now, and they always got the finest dope to smoke, but the cheapest ass liquor. Momma used to say, "one day, it's gon' burn you out", but all that's gon' get burnt out is this blunt.
Ay nigga, turn up that Jeezy! I tell em.
Feelin' the vibes right about now. As I take another shot of Hennesy, we get out the car as the sun sets and make our way inside the house. Dumbass left a window open, didn't even have to break in. We split up and take whatever we want.
Ch@* calls out, "Nigga jackpout nigga, pop the safe!"
But a more alarmed La#(@* yells with a panicked voice, "Ay nigga, I think it's somebody in this room!"
I say, wait what?
"Nigga, It's somebody in this room!"
We all panic and begin to make our exit.
I hit the back window in search of any nintendo, DVDs, plasma screen TVs in the trunk. We booked it to the car but we knew the nigga called the red and blue. We made a right, then made a left, then made a right, then made a left. Mom called me again and I accidentally hit answer, I could hear her yellin: "Hello? What you doin'!?"
I told her, "Kicking it" then hung up. I should've told her I'm probably 'bout to catch my first offense with the homies.
"This is officer Daniels, we are in hot pursuit of 4 black teens, reported break in and theft."
As we make our left, we see the cops behind us make a right. And we head clear out of sight.
The homies were laughing their asses off, I was high as fuck so I guess it didn't bother me all that much.
"ay Kendrick, which blunt you been smoking from?"
The one that give you wings, nigga
"Hah, Angel wings my nigga."
Alright here's the plan luv. We gon' use the kickback as a alibi. Wait till the sun go down, roll out, complete the mission, drop K.dot off at his mama van, at the park, cause I know he trying to fuck on Sherane tonight. But then meet up around 12...
Present day
Not right now mom, damn! Shit, they see me.
"Hey nigga, where is you from? I'm gon' ask you one more time homie, where is you from? Or is it a problem?"
"Ay you over here for Sherane Homie?"
"Yo I don't care who this nigga over here for, if he don't tell where he come, it's a wrap! I'm sorry."
"Matter of fact, get out the van homie. Get out the car before I snatch you out that motherfucker homie."
They unlock the door before I could peal out, before I knew it they was smashing their fists on my face. Too high to throw one of my own, I sat there and tried to get away, but it was no hope. The yelling got out of hand so the hooded niggas bounced, leaving my bruised and bleeding on the floor.
"If I ever see your ass here again, so help me God, nigga."
I get up and get in the van. I drive over to the lot La#(@* said we would meet up. I'm feeling the anger build. Fuck those guys. The hell do they think they are telling me when I can and can't see my Sherane. As I drive I feel dizzy like I never have before. Shit, what was in that blunt. I pull out the van and tell the homies what happened. No explanation was needed though, it was clear I got fucked up.
"Nigga, pass Dot the bottle, damn! You ain't the one that got fucked up, what you holding it for? Niggas always acting unsensitive and shit.
"Nigga, that ain't no word."
"Nigga, shut up! Hey, Dot, you good, my nigga? Don't even trip, just lay back and drink that. There's a party down the block, we about to hit that up."
As I down the bottle we roll out.
I blink and I find myself inside a house on a couch with loud music. I'm fucked up, that's forsure. La#(@* comes up to me and says:
"Nigga, why you babistting only two or three shots? I'mma show you how to turn it up a notch. First you get a simming pool full of liqour, then you dive in it. Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it. I wave a few bottles, then I watch 'em all flock. All the girls wana play baywatch. I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it!
So I keep drinking and drinking. My vision is blurred like never before. Standing up straight has become the hardest task of my life. Rinse and repeat. Pour up, drank. head shot, drank. sit down, drank. Pass out, drank. Wake up, drank. Faded, drank.
I hear a voice in my head, it's not mine, it ain't my moms, and it sure ain't God's.
"Okay, now open your mind up and listen to me, Kendrick. I am your conscience, if you do not hear me, then you will be history, Kendrick. I know that you're nauseous right now and I'm hopin' to lead you to victor, Kendrick."
Snap out of it Kendrick, shit.
A couple hours pass and the party starts to die down. My homie Dave comes up and sees me, I got a bruised face and cuts, he knows what's up.
"They stomped the homie out over a bitch? K-dot, you good, blood?"
"We can drop you back off, Kendrick."
"That nigga's straight man, that nigga ain't tripping."
"We gon' do the same ol' shit. I'mma pop a few shots, they gon' run, they gon' run opposite ways, fall right in Kendrick's lap and he gon' tear they ass up, simple as that." Dave explained to us as we see the nigga's approaching.
"Wait hold up, aye I see somebody"
We open the car door and begin lettin the lead fly.
As soon as the niggas hear the poppin' they pulled out they 9 and started firing too.
"Aha! Got them niggas, K-dot, you good?
Ye
Dave, you good? Dave? DAVE, say something! Dave? These bitch ass niggas killed my brother!
As I look over, I se Ty#@( holding his brother Dave. Blood spilling all over the concrete. Dave sat there on the floor, head half missing, eyes wide open.
"Ay nigga! We gotta roll out of here, the 50 are coming!"
We hop in the car and roll out. We head over to the food 4 less till shit quiets down. Ty#@( is losing it, and so am I. I can't believe it. Dave, the homie is dead, because of me. I killed a man at 16.
We get out the car and Ty#@( breaks down,
"FUCK! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! That's my brother homie!"
My neighbor, Maya, hears us yelling and comes up to us. She's old, maybe 70.
"I know that's not what I think that is. Why are you so angry? See you young men are dying of thirst. Do you know what that means? That means you need water, holy water. You need to be baptized with the spirit of the Lord. Do you want to receive God as your personal savior? Okay, repeat after me.
"Lord God, I come to you a sinner"
Lord God I come to you a sinner
"And I humbly repent for my sins"
And I humbly repent for my sins
"I believe that Jesus is Lord"
I believe Jesus is Lord
"I beleive you raised him from the dead"
I believe you raised him from the dead
"I would ask that Jesus come into my life"
I would ask that Jesus come into my life
"And to be my lord and Savior
And to be my lord and Savior
"I receive Jesus to take control of my life"
I receive Jesus to take control of my life
"And that I may live with him from this day forward"
And that I may live with him from this day forward
"Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood"
Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood
"In Jesus name, amen"
In Jesus name, amen
"Alright now, remember this day: the start of a new life, your REAL life.
Voicemail Message number 3:
Boy you better have my car on full all this time you done had my damn car, but look I ain't trippin'. Look, the neighbors say they seen you and your little friends over there by Food for Less and they was preaching to you over there telling you about the good book because right about now that's what ya'll need. Oh and Top Dawg called the house too. I guess they want you and Dave to come to the studio. But look, you take that music business serious, and put out something me and your dad can step to. Shit, you know we from Chicago, you know that's what we do.
If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city... And I love you Kendrick, if I don't hear you knocking on the door you know where I usually leave the key. Alright? Talk to you later, bye."
Good kid, M.A.A.D City, a short film by Kendrick Lamar
The end.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first time I listened to this album from start to finish, I was blown away. I was speechless. There was so much there. So much to breakdown, to understand. I hope you spend the time to listen to this brilliant album and allow the film to play out in your mind as I do every time I listen to it.
I want to wrap up this blog by saying a few things.
This album, the full title being Good kid, M.A.A.D city, a short film by Kendrick Lamar, is, well, a short film about a good kid, Kendrick, entering a maad city. The story follows Kendrick at the age of 16. This is the "me" section of this three part story. Kendrick is telling us a story of his life and his raps often take place when he is 16, for example, backseat freestyle is Kendrick freestyling as a 16 year old ("I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower" doesn't exactly fit Kendrick's modern day character).
Our last blog left off with the context of this 3 part story. Kendrick grew up as a product of the late 80's. It was during the 90's that cocaine laced marijuana was popular. Kendrick mentions that the first time he smoked he was foaming at the mouth. Compton's gangs, the Bloods and Pirus were extremely popular, and it seems like Kendrick had some association with them.
Kendrick's adolescent development in the 90's in Compton follows a strict pattern of alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence. Kendrick's arguing through this album that young black kids in Compton aren't kids seeking this behavior, rather it's the City that seeks new victims and transforms the youth into thugs and hoodlums, though he isn't saying this is the only story, but this is at least one story, that many may often not think about.
Kendrick's night out with the homies, drinking, smoking, mobbing leads to the death of a dear friend of Kendrick, Dave. It is at this point in the story when Kendrick realizes what this hood behavior leads to, death. For Kendrick it isn't simply the literal death (a very real and common one in the MAAD city), but eternal death. Kendrick says he's "dying of thirst". Literally, he is at the point where his body is so dehydrated from all of the alcohol he has consumed, but it's more than that. The idea of a soul thirsting is repeated throughout the Bible. When Kendrick's neighbor approaches him and his friends, she tells him that they need holy water, Jesus Christ. She makes them repeat a prayer to accept Jesus into their lives, and they willingly repeat.
In John 6:35, Jesus says to his disciples, "I am the bread of life, he who comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
I remember when I first heard this part of the album, I assumed it was not serious. There was no way this kind of prayer would make it's way into a rap album filled with violence drugs and cussing. But it was then that I realized, Kendrick is telling us a story. A real story, and it is the story of how he came to know Christ. While he was at one of his lowest, he realized he needed a water that would quench his soul eternally, one that he wouldn't have to keep going to the well for.
Kendrick's faith is very serious to him. He is not afraid to mention his faith in God and his commitment to Jesus in interviews or writings. So why does he curse so dang much? Well we can talk about language in rap in another blog :).
The album comes to an end with the final song in the "film", "Real". At the end of Real, Kendrick's mom tells him that Top Dawg called, which is the record label that Kendrick is currently signed to. But she gives him a charge. To not make his music career about himself. To one day return to his community and share his story to the youth, so that they can learn from his mistakes, and hopefully through his musical career he can positively influence the younger generation to rise above the Maad city that is vibrant today.
Does Kendrick listen and obey his mother's charge? As he enters the music industry will he be conflicted and misuse his influence? Will he abuse his power? Or will he go back to the city and tell the homies what he learned, about respect?
Will Kendrick rise from his cocoon free? Or will this Butterfly be Pimped?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next: The Lamar Legacy Pt. 3: To Pimp a Butterfly, Pac's Lament
Compton - Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WgoX7yySW8
Heh, 15 minutes my black ass. I got Sherane on my mind, she runnin' doin laps, I'm about to go do some laps of my own, if you feel me. This van drives like a piece of shit, can't say the same about my driving skills. But she only down the street from Dominguez high, ain't too far. I remember the first time I met Sherane, we was at this house party on El Segundo and Central, shit, did she have the credentials of strippers in Atlanta. Walked up to her and told her, "Hello my name is Kendrick," she said "No, you're handsome." Did I already say she had them credentials? She gave me her Nextel, dropped the number, we chriped the whole summer and well.. I was hooked. But now, I'm tired of waiting. I'm thinking 'bout that sex, thinking about her thighs, never felt my heart beat this fast, cause in a minute, Sherane bout to get.. oh shit! Hell no, who are these hooded niggas?!. Phone's ringing, "Mom". Not right now mom, damn.
Please leave your message for 323, record your message after the tone:
"Kendrick, where you at? Head home! I'm sittin' here waiting on my van. You told me you was gon' be back in fifteen minutes! I gotta get them food stamps, come on now. I hope you ain't out there messin' with them damn hood-rats out there, shit. Especially that crazy ass girl Sherane, plus you got school tomorrow, you keep fuckin' around in them streets, you ain't gon' pass to the next grade, 11th grade.
"New voicemail: Mom"
*Flashback*
Ja$(*@'s white Toyota pulls up.
"Ay, K-dot, get in the car, nigga. Come on, we finna roll out. Nigga I got a pack of blacks and a beat CD, get yo freestyles ready!"
Freestlyin? Nigga this style ain't free! Aight, here I go,
All my life I want money and power, respect my mind or die from lead shower. I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower, so I can fuck the world for seventy-two hours. Goddman I feel amazing, damn i'm in the matrix. My mind is living on cloud nine and this 9 is never on vacation. Start up that Maserati and vroom-vroom I'm racing. Popping pills in the lobby and I pray they don't find her naked, and I pray you niggas is hating, shooters go after Judas, Jesus Christ if I live life on my knees, ain't no need to do this. Park it in front of Lueders, next to the Church's Chicken. All you pussies is losers, all my niggas is winners, screaming..
"alright, alright K-dot, shut yo ass up now, we finna get Ch@* and La#(@*. Then we finna hit up that white house on Brayton st, you know, the one across the street from that nursing center with all those old muthafuckas, heard there was some big screen T.V in there, that shit is ours. Let's roll.
Normally, I'm a sober soul, but I'm with the homies right now, and they always got the finest dope to smoke, but the cheapest ass liquor. Momma used to say, "one day, it's gon' burn you out", but all that's gon' get burnt out is this blunt.
Ay nigga, turn up that Jeezy! I tell em.
Feelin' the vibes right about now. As I take another shot of Hennesy, we get out the car as the sun sets and make our way inside the house. Dumbass left a window open, didn't even have to break in. We split up and take whatever we want.
Ch@* calls out, "Nigga jackpout nigga, pop the safe!"
But a more alarmed La#(@* yells with a panicked voice, "Ay nigga, I think it's somebody in this room!"
I say, wait what?
"Nigga, It's somebody in this room!"
We all panic and begin to make our exit.
I hit the back window in search of any nintendo, DVDs, plasma screen TVs in the trunk. We booked it to the car but we knew the nigga called the red and blue. We made a right, then made a left, then made a right, then made a left. Mom called me again and I accidentally hit answer, I could hear her yellin: "Hello? What you doin'!?"
I told her, "Kicking it" then hung up. I should've told her I'm probably 'bout to catch my first offense with the homies.
"This is officer Daniels, we are in hot pursuit of 4 black teens, reported break in and theft."
As we make our left, we see the cops behind us make a right. And we head clear out of sight.
The homies were laughing their asses off, I was high as fuck so I guess it didn't bother me all that much.
"ay Kendrick, which blunt you been smoking from?"
The one that give you wings, nigga
"Hah, Angel wings my nigga."
Alright here's the plan luv. We gon' use the kickback as a alibi. Wait till the sun go down, roll out, complete the mission, drop K.dot off at his mama van, at the park, cause I know he trying to fuck on Sherane tonight. But then meet up around 12...
Present day
Not right now mom, damn! Shit, they see me.
"Hey nigga, where is you from? I'm gon' ask you one more time homie, where is you from? Or is it a problem?"
"Ay you over here for Sherane Homie?"
"Yo I don't care who this nigga over here for, if he don't tell where he come, it's a wrap! I'm sorry."
"Matter of fact, get out the van homie. Get out the car before I snatch you out that motherfucker homie."
They unlock the door before I could peal out, before I knew it they was smashing their fists on my face. Too high to throw one of my own, I sat there and tried to get away, but it was no hope. The yelling got out of hand so the hooded niggas bounced, leaving my bruised and bleeding on the floor.
"If I ever see your ass here again, so help me God, nigga."
I get up and get in the van. I drive over to the lot La#(@* said we would meet up. I'm feeling the anger build. Fuck those guys. The hell do they think they are telling me when I can and can't see my Sherane. As I drive I feel dizzy like I never have before. Shit, what was in that blunt. I pull out the van and tell the homies what happened. No explanation was needed though, it was clear I got fucked up.
"Nigga, pass Dot the bottle, damn! You ain't the one that got fucked up, what you holding it for? Niggas always acting unsensitive and shit.
"Nigga, that ain't no word."
"Nigga, shut up! Hey, Dot, you good, my nigga? Don't even trip, just lay back and drink that. There's a party down the block, we about to hit that up."
As I down the bottle we roll out.
I blink and I find myself inside a house on a couch with loud music. I'm fucked up, that's forsure. La#(@* comes up to me and says:
"Nigga, why you babistting only two or three shots? I'mma show you how to turn it up a notch. First you get a simming pool full of liqour, then you dive in it. Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it. I wave a few bottles, then I watch 'em all flock. All the girls wana play baywatch. I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it!
So I keep drinking and drinking. My vision is blurred like never before. Standing up straight has become the hardest task of my life. Rinse and repeat. Pour up, drank. head shot, drank. sit down, drank. Pass out, drank. Wake up, drank. Faded, drank.
I hear a voice in my head, it's not mine, it ain't my moms, and it sure ain't God's.
"Okay, now open your mind up and listen to me, Kendrick. I am your conscience, if you do not hear me, then you will be history, Kendrick. I know that you're nauseous right now and I'm hopin' to lead you to victor, Kendrick."
Snap out of it Kendrick, shit.
A couple hours pass and the party starts to die down. My homie Dave comes up and sees me, I got a bruised face and cuts, he knows what's up.
"They stomped the homie out over a bitch? K-dot, you good, blood?"
"We can drop you back off, Kendrick."
"That nigga's straight man, that nigga ain't tripping."
"We gon' do the same ol' shit. I'mma pop a few shots, they gon' run, they gon' run opposite ways, fall right in Kendrick's lap and he gon' tear they ass up, simple as that." Dave explained to us as we see the nigga's approaching.
"Wait hold up, aye I see somebody"
We open the car door and begin lettin the lead fly.
As soon as the niggas hear the poppin' they pulled out they 9 and started firing too.
"Aha! Got them niggas, K-dot, you good?
Ye
Dave, you good? Dave? DAVE, say something! Dave? These bitch ass niggas killed my brother!
As I look over, I se Ty#@( holding his brother Dave. Blood spilling all over the concrete. Dave sat there on the floor, head half missing, eyes wide open.
"Ay nigga! We gotta roll out of here, the 50 are coming!"
We hop in the car and roll out. We head over to the food 4 less till shit quiets down. Ty#@( is losing it, and so am I. I can't believe it. Dave, the homie is dead, because of me. I killed a man at 16.
We get out the car and Ty#@( breaks down,
"FUCK! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! That's my brother homie!"
My neighbor, Maya, hears us yelling and comes up to us. She's old, maybe 70.
"I know that's not what I think that is. Why are you so angry? See you young men are dying of thirst. Do you know what that means? That means you need water, holy water. You need to be baptized with the spirit of the Lord. Do you want to receive God as your personal savior? Okay, repeat after me.
"Lord God, I come to you a sinner"
Lord God I come to you a sinner
"And I humbly repent for my sins"
And I humbly repent for my sins
"I believe that Jesus is Lord"
I believe Jesus is Lord
"I beleive you raised him from the dead"
I believe you raised him from the dead
"I would ask that Jesus come into my life"
I would ask that Jesus come into my life
"And to be my lord and Savior
And to be my lord and Savior
"I receive Jesus to take control of my life"
I receive Jesus to take control of my life
"And that I may live with him from this day forward"
And that I may live with him from this day forward
"Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood"
Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood
"In Jesus name, amen"
In Jesus name, amen
"Alright now, remember this day: the start of a new life, your REAL life.
Voicemail Message number 3:
Boy you better have my car on full all this time you done had my damn car, but look I ain't trippin'. Look, the neighbors say they seen you and your little friends over there by Food for Less and they was preaching to you over there telling you about the good book because right about now that's what ya'll need. Oh and Top Dawg called the house too. I guess they want you and Dave to come to the studio. But look, you take that music business serious, and put out something me and your dad can step to. Shit, you know we from Chicago, you know that's what we do.
If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city... And I love you Kendrick, if I don't hear you knocking on the door you know where I usually leave the key. Alright? Talk to you later, bye."
Good kid, M.A.A.D City, a short film by Kendrick Lamar
The end.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first time I listened to this album from start to finish, I was blown away. I was speechless. There was so much there. So much to breakdown, to understand. I hope you spend the time to listen to this brilliant album and allow the film to play out in your mind as I do every time I listen to it.
I want to wrap up this blog by saying a few things.
This album, the full title being Good kid, M.A.A.D city, a short film by Kendrick Lamar, is, well, a short film about a good kid, Kendrick, entering a maad city. The story follows Kendrick at the age of 16. This is the "me" section of this three part story. Kendrick is telling us a story of his life and his raps often take place when he is 16, for example, backseat freestyle is Kendrick freestyling as a 16 year old ("I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower" doesn't exactly fit Kendrick's modern day character).
Our last blog left off with the context of this 3 part story. Kendrick grew up as a product of the late 80's. It was during the 90's that cocaine laced marijuana was popular. Kendrick mentions that the first time he smoked he was foaming at the mouth. Compton's gangs, the Bloods and Pirus were extremely popular, and it seems like Kendrick had some association with them.
Kendrick's adolescent development in the 90's in Compton follows a strict pattern of alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence. Kendrick's arguing through this album that young black kids in Compton aren't kids seeking this behavior, rather it's the City that seeks new victims and transforms the youth into thugs and hoodlums, though he isn't saying this is the only story, but this is at least one story, that many may often not think about.
Kendrick's night out with the homies, drinking, smoking, mobbing leads to the death of a dear friend of Kendrick, Dave. It is at this point in the story when Kendrick realizes what this hood behavior leads to, death. For Kendrick it isn't simply the literal death (a very real and common one in the MAAD city), but eternal death. Kendrick says he's "dying of thirst". Literally, he is at the point where his body is so dehydrated from all of the alcohol he has consumed, but it's more than that. The idea of a soul thirsting is repeated throughout the Bible. When Kendrick's neighbor approaches him and his friends, she tells him that they need holy water, Jesus Christ. She makes them repeat a prayer to accept Jesus into their lives, and they willingly repeat.
In John 6:35, Jesus says to his disciples, "I am the bread of life, he who comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
I remember when I first heard this part of the album, I assumed it was not serious. There was no way this kind of prayer would make it's way into a rap album filled with violence drugs and cussing. But it was then that I realized, Kendrick is telling us a story. A real story, and it is the story of how he came to know Christ. While he was at one of his lowest, he realized he needed a water that would quench his soul eternally, one that he wouldn't have to keep going to the well for.
Kendrick's faith is very serious to him. He is not afraid to mention his faith in God and his commitment to Jesus in interviews or writings. So why does he curse so dang much? Well we can talk about language in rap in another blog :).
The album comes to an end with the final song in the "film", "Real". At the end of Real, Kendrick's mom tells him that Top Dawg called, which is the record label that Kendrick is currently signed to. But she gives him a charge. To not make his music career about himself. To one day return to his community and share his story to the youth, so that they can learn from his mistakes, and hopefully through his musical career he can positively influence the younger generation to rise above the Maad city that is vibrant today.
Does Kendrick listen and obey his mother's charge? As he enters the music industry will he be conflicted and misuse his influence? Will he abuse his power? Or will he go back to the city and tell the homies what he learned, about respect?
Will Kendrick rise from his cocoon free? Or will this Butterfly be Pimped?
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Next: The Lamar Legacy Pt. 3: To Pimp a Butterfly, Pac's Lament
Compton - Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WgoX7yySW8
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