Quote:
Originally Posted by W T Clark
I would not be as confident as Jim to put down this music. I have learnt more about compression and energy from most rappers than from some poets of the past esteemed highly here. Rap has true authentic energy combined with craft: twofold vision; in this sense: it is a truer formalism than half the versified metrical efforts I am told is "formalist". Not that Kendrick can hold me like Blake or Dickinson or Mandelstam; but to deny his energy would be braver than I am. Of course much of it is trash; but what isn't very much trash? — And to deny all rappers when I hear them every day is beyond me! — And To Pimp a Butterfly has an effect I would not disdain.
As for this talk of pettiness; it is true: yes John. but show me a poet who isn't and I will show you ten. As with everything: silliness is stranger and older than we know.
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Yes, I very much agree with this. I teach analysis with a "music and image" theme, and most students choose music videos as their primary source for a semester-long sequence of assignments and papers. For the last couple of years, Kendrick Lamar has been the most popular choice, and the only one who comes anywhere close is Taylor Swift. What's particularly eye-opening is how much the students are able to analyze in his lyrics, videos, and his musical choices. I'm
not personally a hip-hop fan (and generally like very little "pop" music), but I can also very much
appreciate that there's a lot of excellent artistry in the genre.
Check out this video for "Count Me Out," featuring Helen Mirren as a therapist, and Lamar delving into his personal insecurities.