Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the 2016 Grammy’s comes at a time of great turmoil in the United States, not between races, but between an abused culture and a corrupt justice system. Currently, in the United States, there is a massive movement called “Black Lives Matter,” this movement is “a call to action and a response to the virulent anti-Black racism that permeates our society.” Kendrick Lamar’s performance is meant to not only raise awareness for this movement but get society to question what has become the societal norm. In the performance, Lamar sings “The Blacker the Berry” “Alright,” and a third untitled song.
“The Blacker the Berry” and the untitled song both addressed the incident that spawned the creation of the Black Lives Movement, the murder of Trayvon Martin. Lamar raps
Twenty Twelve was taped for the world to see
Set us back another four-hundred years
This is modern day slavery
Referencing the year Trayvon Martin was killed and setting it up as the moment that everything changed.
Black Lives Matter adopted Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” as an anthem for their cause, often chanting the lyrics at protests. Kendrick Lamar said that the song is about hope, not hatred when he heard allegations about the song, that it intended to incite violence.
The United States is plagued with an epidemic known as mass/hyper-incarceration. Lamar addresses this at the start of his performance by putting his band in cages and he is walking in a chained line. Then he addresses the hate in society in the line
You hate me don’t you?
You hate my people, your plan is to terminate my culture.
You’re fuckin’ evil, I want you to recognize that I’m a proud monkey.
In recent years, society has changed in a way that it recognizes the deep-seated hatred of Black Americans despite all the social advancements that came from the Civil Rights movement. Kendrick Lamar, for unknown reasons, removed the line "We hate the Popo" from the performance, which addresses the most publicized social injustice that Black Lives Matter movement aims to reconcile.
Where Kendrick Lamar performed this piece is very important to it’s moment. The Grammy Awards Show is the biggest music award show of the year and attracted 24.95 million viewers. Kendrick Lamar’s performance reached these households and resurrected discussions about hyper-incarceration as well other aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the days following the performance, Kendrick Lamar has been criticized as well as renowned for his performance. It has done what Kendrick Lamar hoped, spark a discussion and reflection on social injustice. After winning five Grammys for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” it is clear that this album has made its mark on society and to anyone who listens, it will provide insight into the emotions and tribulations of Black America.
-Shannon Connell
-Shannon Connell
This is a great post, idea wise! You really hit on the major issues of our time--although I do wonder if you might have mentioned more of the victims of brutality and mass incarceration just to underscore the magnitude. Either way, quite nice.
ReplyDeleteAnd some of these sentences are downright lovely. This one, for example: "Kendrick Lamar’s performance reached these households and resurrected discussions about hyper-incarceration as well other aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement."
Nice job! Can you sign your name to your post, so I (and tomorrow's commenters) know who to address!
Kendrick Lamar had an amazing and powerful performance at the Grammys this year. I completely agree that his song "Alright" was a message about hope and I think anyone who listens to the lyrics can hear how important they are.
ReplyDeleteI'm Personally proud of Kendrick Lamar. Proud of his courage to do this performance in from of a predominantly white audience, where he most likely already had more critics than supporters.
ReplyDeleteKendrick Lamar's attention to the struggles of his community is a part of what makes his music so great. His ability to capture the attention of issues in a troubled city such as Compton are profoundly influential not only musically but also culturally, especially during the current Black Lives Matter movement.
ReplyDelete-Sana Shah
DeleteI wished you had elaborated on the backlash after the Kendrick Lamar performance but i understand it may have not been part of your research. I liked that you mentioned its criticisms as well as praises. Although some may misinterpret the message, i think its important that its recognized for starting some buzz about an important topic.
ReplyDelete