5 tracks to get ya into Kendrick Lamar

Rigamortis:

"Got me breathing with dragons , I'll crack the egg in your basket, you bastard , I'm Marilyn Manson with madness , Now just imagine the matches I light to asses"

Prod. by Sounwave & Willie B

This is the track that put me onto how dangerous Kendrick can be on the mic. It was the end of my sophomore year in high school. Me and my friend Sam were sitting in computer class listening to some rap. He said that Kendrick was next up and I wasn't hearing it. Back in those days I was heavy on Drake, Future, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino and Wale. That's all I heard on the airwaves and these were the type of artists I was spending money on. I watched the music video along with song. I wasn't gelling with it at first so I left it alone. Then something kept urging me to see why I don't like the song, so every 5 times it popped up on my recommendations I felt compelled to listen. Then as I grew up and learned, as a hip hop fan, to respect the technique (see what I did there?), the visuals the message and execution. Sounwave and Willie B murk the production, Kendrick comes through describing how when he lyrically kills the competition, the corpse stricken with rigor mortis is oh so gorgeous. This is my go to song whenever I need to get some papers done for essays and I've hit writer's block.

Swimming Pools:

"Now I done grew up 'round some people livin' their life in bottles , Granddaddy had the golden flask , Backstroke every day in Chicago"

Prod. by Nikhil Seetharam & T-Minus

T-Minus and Mr.Seetharam set the moody backdrop to the single that would prove you can talk about the dangers of alcohol while making it look sexy. Peer pressure and controlled substances are a match made in hell. Kendrick paints the mental hellscape with sincerity, pain and wit that cuts deep while subconsciously seeping into the mind of the listener who maybe jamming this while getting turned up but the message remains long after the credits roll. I can't think about drinking without this song popping up in my head reminding me to have fun and drink in moderation. You ain't gotta get drunk to have fun. (If you know, you know).

The Blacker the Berry:

"I'm Black as the name of Tyrone and Darius, excuse my French"

Prod. by Ken Lewis, ZALE, Boi-1da, KOZ & Terrace Martin

Self awareness is one of Kung-Fu Kenny's best attributes as an artist. He is aware of what he should feel and believe and what needs to change. He also recognizes that his past transgressions and thoughts and beliefs can lead to an internal struggle a lot of black people in America go through. The majority of us who are black in America have white friends and are seeing the progress. However the stereotypes and racism that were used and practiced in the history of this nation still leaves a bitter taste in everyone's mouth, and anger flares in place of the bitterness in the mouth. He also recognizes hypocrisy that he does practice. To be transparent about it in such a passionate delivery leaves the listener floored with nuance and dialogue to discuss.

Fear:

"I'll prolly die anonymous, I'll prolly die with promises , I'll prolly die walkin' back home from the candy house"

Prod. by Bekon and The Alchemist

Track 12 from the lauded Damn LP is a doozy. Fear never tasted so palpable. The production is so simple yet potent. Kenny is spitting about the feeling of fear through three different ages of his life; 7, 17, and 27. Each year fear is accumulated from his upbringing, to his growing mind and fascination with death, and the fears of losing out on his ability and "house" he built from scratch. A visceral but necessary gut punch. A thoughtful outro and a bible verse is the icing on the cake. This is a must listen, for sure.

Money Trees:

"Everybody gon' respect the shooter . But the one in front of the gun lives forever"

Prod. By DJ Dahi

By the time you get to track five of good kid, m.A.A.d city, you've been introduced to a lot narratively. You've been introduced to the protagonist; his background so far; his influences; his good and bad decisions and his temptations. All of this is recapped throughout this song. What's the motivation? To live life like rappers do. To have so much money it could block the sunrays just by how tall the cash is stacked. This thesis is illustrated perfectly over a sublime beat by DJ Dahi. Anna wise provides good vocals and Jay Rock provides one of his best features ever on this track. You can really feel every bar jay says with such urgency and gusto that you have no choice but to respect the technique (Get it?). Would very much recommend you give this a listen. Plus this song contains probably the funniest skit on the album. No spoilers :]