Shivam Patel

Mr.Diehl

Human 2010

12-2-20

“i” By Kendrick Lamar Analysis Essay

“i” by Kendrick Lamar from his 2014 album To Pimp A Butterfly is a beautiful song

that mixes hip hop with modern issues such as depression and suicide. The third studio album

by Kendrick Lamar not only focuses on issues such as suppression of black people to mental

health and is a very vocal album especially when compared to albums released by his peers.

Throughout the song, there is an upbeat vibe to the song that perfectly coincides with the

message Kendrick Lamar is trying to tell. He can give the perspective and comfort needed in

a powerful yet mainstream song that is very uncommon in the current musical landscape.

The philautia love that Kendrick Lamar throws at the listener during the hooks just

shows how deep this song hits. Him screaming “I love myself (He said i gotta get up, life is

more than suicide)” reinforces the idea of how self-love is key and sometimes helps when

you can yell it out loud instead of quietly saying it inside your head. Not only does Kendrick

Lamar say this for himself, but he also gives philautia love to the listener. “Everybody lookin'

at you crazy (crazy!)What you, gonna do? (what you gonna do?), Lift up your head and keep

moving (keep moving), Or let the paranoia haunt you (haunt you)?” is just one example of

the philautia love he gives in the song about loving yourself. This love that Kendrick raps

about is significant because there are not many songs like this one that focuses on social

issues such as depression and suicide, especially in the African-American community.

 The love languages presented in the song are subtle to none in the song in the sense

that it is easy to overlook what Kendrick Lamar is saying due to the energy in his voice and

the instrumental in the background. While they are subtle, the only love language is words of

affirmation which Kendrick Lamar uses generously throughout the song. The biggest

example is the hook when he screams “I love myself” 4 times which not only adds to the

vocality of this song, but he can make it pronounced that he indeed loves himself.

Not only are the lyrics relatable and powerful, but the song’s instrumental also adds

that extra punch to make this song hit home. The fast-paced nature of this song does not feel

like Kendrick is telling the story of a young man struggling with depression since an

adolescent but it does add to the pick me up feeling that he is trying to convey. The guitars

that are played also add to how Kendrick Lamar was trying to mold this song into a

motivational song to inspire others going through dark times that it is okay and learning to

love yourself is one of the purest forms of love. Another feature of the song that adds to the

philautia of this song is how Kendrick Lamar yells “I love myself” but he has a normal tone

when rapping the verses which goes to emphasize his need to tell the listeners about loving

oneself and that it can help overcome anything.

Kendrick's song “i” relates to other love songs such “Just the way you are” by Bruno

Mars as well as “Titanium” by David Guetta. When taking a look at the songs there is a

strong message of self-love that is displayed and expressed throughout them, in this world

there will always be cruelty and hatred displayed by others however as long as you proceed to

view and carry yourself in a positive manner there is nothing one can say that will alter the

way the think, act, or feel. In the song “I” Kendrick states as “I look around me so many **

wanna down me but an enemigo never drown me” compared to Guetta lyrics which states
“I’m criticized but all of self-love and uses their understanding of it to motivate and inspire

their listeners to stop living for what other people have to say and start living for yourself.

Mars sings about the your bullets ricochet you shoot me down, but I get up” both artists

understand the concept on the same concept although his song his not a self-love song it is a

love song about uplifting one’s natural beauty stating that no matter how you feel or how

others tend to view you, you’re amazing and perfect just the way you are and there is no need

to change. Each artist relates the message that the greatest love you will ever receive will

come from you first before you receive it from others, so start loving yourself and become

your own motivation.

When it comes to music, Kendrick understates that it is a way of life, understanding,

and expression. He uses his music to motivate and uplift his listeners so that they will not go

into a dark space because they feel unloved or unwanted, by letting them know that they

don’t need others approval on how to feel or how to move. Self-love and assurance are two

things in life that can keep you moving and lifted up, loving yourself, and having that

confidence helps you to move and step in a way that you never imagined you could.