Extended Essay

English

In what ways does Kendrick Lamar, on To Pimp a Butterfly, critique contemporary US culture,
and what is the effect created?

Word Count: 366

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 Table of contents
Introduction - 3
Importance of Studying Kendrick Lamar - 4
To Pimp A Butterfly, Most Important Songs - 5
Section 1: Slavery & Racism - 5
Section 2: Substance Abuse - 7
Section 3: Lack of equal opportunities for the African American communities - 9
Conclusion - 11
Bibliography - 12

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 Introduction

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is a 35-year-old rapper and songwriter. The artist was born in

Compton, California, in the United States. Lamar is considered to be one of the most influential

songwriters of his generation, going over common themes he has gone through and really connecting

to the listener with his work. Lamar has influenced Hip-Hop and Black culture in the U.S. by

capturing the Black experience in the United States. Lamar's music must be placed into the tradition

of political Hip-Hop, which seeks to raise awareness about tensions and conflicts between

communities and within the black community and seeks to raise awareness of such issues. Hip-hop as

a movement is a musical expression of resistance and protest, which has its roots in the social-cultural

context of the United States in the 90s and the legacy of slavery following the American Civil War.

Lamar identifies present problems of the African American experience as deriving historically from

the socio-economic conditions of black people. Following the Civil War, African Americans sought

social equality in the Reconstruction era, which attempted to confer rights to the black community but

failed. “For we colored people did not know how to be free and the white people did not know how to

have a free colored person about them.” (Reconstruction and Its Aftermath) The Jim Crow laws

ensued equality in a separate but equal state. "In legal theory, blacks received "separate but equal"

treatment under the law — in actuality, public facilities for blacks were nearly always inferior to those

for whites, when they existed at all." (“Jim Crow Laws - PBS”). The civil rights movement agitated

for voting rights and an end to segregation, met with mixed success and the death of one of its main

leaders, Martin Luther King. Finally, as a consequence of the racist killing of George Floyd recently,

the Black Lives Matter movement has been given new importance, making Lamar's work more

relevant than ever in his dealing with contemporary issues regarding the African American

experience. Other contemporary Hip-Hop artists would include Childish Gambino, also known as

Donald Glover, the rap group N.W.A., Marvin Gaye, the late Tupac and others. But Lamar's works

stand out because of the seriousness of his themes and the poetic quality of his lyrics: "His ability to

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incorporate elements of storytelling, social commentary, politics and spirituality into his songs has

earned him critical acclaim as well as commercial success." (Kendrick Lamar and His Impact on Pop

Music | Home of Hip Hop) His album To Pimp A Butterfly is considered one of his best pieces and

will form the focus of this investigation, especially the songs mentioned in the following segment. In

order to answer the research question: In what ways does Kendrick Lamar, on To Pimp a Butterfly,

critique contemporary US culture, and what is the effect created? I have divided my essay into three

sections, each part dealing with a topic that Lamar critiques in his work, Section 1: Slavery and

Racism, Section 2: Substance Abuse, and Section 3: Lack of equal opportunities for the African

American communities. The essay concludes that Lamar critiques contemporary US culture by using

his personal experience and exploring sensitive topics common in African American communities. He

makes the public feel like they have the obligation to face the issues with him and causes them to

rethink everything they thought they knew before.

Importance of Studying Kendrick Lamar

Lamar has released five studio albums, all of which have traces of his African American heritage. He

speaks about the issues that he has struggled with in his life in such a manner that makes the listener

feel like he is also going through those issues. The Pulitzer Prize winner is considered by many to be

the greatest rapper of all time: "Kendrick Lamar was the first ever musician to receive this award that

was not a jazz or classical musician. The lyricism and diction of his records cause people to love them

simply because of his unique sound and approach. His songs carry meaning and are something that

many people can enjoy and relate to." (The Story of the G.O.A.T. – Black Music Scholar) He follows

his roots in his songs by using Ebonics, "... also called African American Vernacular English (AAVE),

formerly Black English Vernacular (BEV), a dialect of American English spoken by a large proportion

of African Americans." (Mufwene) This type of dialect comes from the African Americans who

migrated to the US because of slavery, it is used by Lamar to free himself from social norms and show

his real culture and background. For me listening to Lamar is an opportunity to find a different point

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of view about a delicate topic, his lyrics and flow make the ideas he passes on become emphasised

and understandable to listeners who might not be familiar with such topics.

To Pimp A Butterfly, Most Important Songs

To Pimp a Butterfly has 16 songs, all of which have a specific role in the storytelling of

Lamar. Some are more well-known than others, and some have a deeper meaning. The songs that

present the themes mentioned above and are deeper will be the main ones present in this essay. "The

Blacker the Berry" is the second single off TPAB it may not be very listener-friendly, however, it is

the one that best represents the album, and its themes. "i" is a Grammy winning song that goes over

the ideas of self expression and for Lamar is his best song ever written, it also goes over the lack of

self love in the Compton area. "Alright" is one of the more popular songs within the album, at first it

might seem like an optimistic song, but in reality, it is about pain and struggle and how Lamar went to

God when he needed help, this song also impacted the 2015 BLM protests. "King Kunta" is a song

about the main character in the show "Roots: The Saga of an American Family." In the show, the

character refuses to accept the slave name his owners want to give him and they end up cutting his

foot. "How Much a Dollar Cost" is the 11th song on the album, it speaks about Lamar's encounter

with a homeless man. The main themes in this song are religion, wealth, fame and charity. These

songs will allow me to show the different themes presented in the album and answer my research

question.

Section 1: Slavery & Racism

In the album, Lamar uses his music to explore the idea of slavery, from the literal chains to

the mental and emotional slavery that to this day affects black people in the United States. All the

other themes he talks about such as racism, poverty, police brutality, and the struggle for self-love, are

a result of slavery in the country. The album's title, "To Pimp a Butterfly," is an allusion to Harper

Lee's work "To Kill a Mockingbird." Like Lee's novel, Lamar's album shows the reality of racism and

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unfairness in America, but it goes further by talking about the systemic issues that have continued the

legacy of slavery. One of the main tracks on the album is "The Blacker the Berry," the title of the song

can be related to Sylvia Plath work, "Blackberrying '' which explores the decaying and flourishing life

and human mortality. The song begins with, "I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015 / Once I finish this,

witnesses will convey just what I mean." Lamar is aware of the contradiction in his own position as a

successful black artist on top of the larger black community. He acknowledges his role in the system

of oppression and wants to use his platform to cause change. In "The Blacker the Berry," Lamar also

draws a line between the slavery of the past and the present-day struggles of African Americans. He

raps, "I'm African-American, I'm African / I'm black as the heart of a fin' Aryan / I'm black as the

name of Tyrone and Darius / Excuse my French but f* the negatives." By showing his identity as an

African American, Lamar rejects the idea that blackness is something people should be ashamed of or

try to hide. Another track that talks about the theme of slavery is "Alright," which has been very

significant for the Black Lives Matter movement. The song is a message of hope and resilience

against police brutality and racism. Lamar says, "We gon' be alright / Do you hear me, do you feel

me? We gon' be alright." The section is a powerful statement of defiance against oppression, as he

also tries to assure the listeners that he is there to comfort them as if they were one of the people

suffering from oppression. Throughout the album, Lamar uses his music to challenge the portrayal of

the American Dream. He is asking his listeners to question the idea that anyone can be successful

through hard work and determination alone. He recognises the role that systemic racism and

inequality play in shaping people's lives and calls for a more just society. In "How Much a Dollar

Cost," Lamar tells the story of a homeless man who asks him for a dollar. Lamar initially ignores the

man, but when he realises that the man is actually God in disguise, he confronts his own

preconceptions and assumptions. The song is a powerful critique of the idea that success is solely the

result of personal effort and a reminder that we all have a responsibility to help those less fortunate. It

is possible to understand with these songs that Lamar is trying to say that a person's skin colour

determines their future and whole life, critiquing the American dream and that it is impossible for a

black person to achieve success with hard work, the prejudice that people have against skin colours in

the "How Much a Dollar Cost". The album is a constant allegation of the legacy that slavery and

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racism has left on the United States. Lamar uses various references from other pieces of art and real

world examples to share his view on the problems that have been left lingering in the United States.

Section 2: Substance Abuse

The album examines the complex problem of substance abuse in Lamar's home area,

Compton, highlighting his position as a socially conscious musician who utilises his platform to speak

out on important issues. In the context of this album, substance abuse refers to the hazardous and

compulsive use of drugs or alcohol, frequently as a coping strategy to avoid dealing with life's

difficulties. Using Ebonics and figurative language to present a vivid portrayal of this ubiquitous

issue, Kendrick Lamar's examination of this matter is a testament to his commitment to raising light

on the hardships of individuals and communities affected by substance abuse. This section will

examine the ways in which Lamar tackles substance abuse in his works and analyse the factors that

led him to choose to discuss this topic so deeply here. The rapper speaks about the topic in the "For

Sale? (Interlude)", in the short track he personifies the temptations one might have and addiction, as

he sings: "I pray to God this dick'll make a pussy out of you / It's all I want for you, it's all I want for

you" As seen in the lines he uses metaphors to describe the temptation that substance abuse brings to

communities, as something seductive and manipulative. Representing how substances can cause

people to follow a self-harming path. He expands on the topic in his song "Wesley's Theory" where he

speaks about the allure of wealth and success through materialism, which in some cases leads people

into substance abuse, as he says: "What do you want, a house, a car? / Forty acres a mule? A piano, a

guitar? / Anything, see, my name is Lucy, I'm your dog / Motherfucker, you can live at the mall" Here,

'Lucy' represents temptation, referring to Lucifer and the desire that can drive people into drugs and

alcohol. The reference to living at the mall shows the idea that people turn to substance abuse to

escape the hardships of life. He goes on to talk about his own battle with substance abuse. In the track

"u" he delivers an introspective monologue that confronts his past issues: "Loving you is complicated,

loving you is complicated…" This phrase repeats 4 more times and reflects the internal torment and

emotional burden associated with addiction. The repetition of the line serves as a metaphor for the

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complexity and conflict within one's self that individuals feel when abusing substances. As the track

continues Lamar raps: "A piece of mine, that you seen at the Magnolia / Chest compressions at the

paramount, just to figure out / I was the Mortal Man, once upon a time" In these lines the rapper

comments about his own experiences and issues with substance abuse. 'Magnolia' and 'Chest

compressions' allude to the moments of near death experience that one might habe when abusing

substance. It emphasizes the danger and issues that may come from addiction. Throughout the album

Lamar explores the cycle of self-destruction that is closely related to substance abuse. In the track

"Institutionalized" he says "Shit don't change until you get up and wash your ass, nigga" repeats two

more times and follows with "Shit don't change until you get off your ass, nigga" The metaphor of

"washing your ass" explains personal responsibility and the importance of breaking free from the grip

of addiction. Lamar emphasises that change is impossible until you take action. In the same track

Lamar continues: "Sippin' wine, bitch, feelin' right / Hennessy never did me wrong, so pour another

strong / Tycoon, now I gotta kill em, sorry" These lines show the role that alcohol has, specially

Hennessy which is incredibly popular in the African American communities, as a way to cope with

the issues that someone might be facing. Beyond his own struggles with substance abuse, Lamar

continues to show the broader problems that the issue has caused on African American communities

in the track "The Blacker the Berry" The same quote used for the slavery & racism issue can be used

for substance abuse: "I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015 / Once I finish this, witnesses will convey /

Just what I mean, I mean, it's evident that I'm irrelevant / That elephant in the room, it's time to

wrestle it" This set of lines shows the hypocrisy and self-destructive behaviours related to addiction.

Lamar acknowledges that addressing the issue of substance abuse may be challenging but is

necessary. In the song "Momma" the artist speaks about the Harlem community located in New York,

going on to show the presence of drugs and the issues with addiction the community has. The lines go

as follows: "Grew up around Red Eyes, Harlem's paradise / Marlboro's and Cherry ices, queen of

hearts, make you a joker / Tarot cards and pick your poisons, live today, gon' die tomorrow" The

stanza reference "Red Eyes," "Marlboro's," and "pick your poisons" bring attention to the massiveness

issues with substance abuse that the communities face and how they decide to deal with it. "live today,

gon' die tomorrow" presents the problem that from one moment to another one might suffer the

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consequences of substance abuse and die, if they don't stop using the substance their final destination

will come. During the album Lamar speaks on the problem that is substance abuse with artistry and

brutal honesty. With figurative language including metaphors and narratives, the rapper paints an

incredible portrait of the allure, struggles and consequences of addiction. By doing this he not only

presents his own battles but also the need for change within the communities that have issues with

substance abuse.

Section 3: Lack of equal opportunities for the African American

communities

The album stands as a unfortunate testament to the enduring struggle for equal opportunities

within the African American communities in the United States. Within his lyrics and storytellin,

Lamar goes into the systemic barriers and social injustices that hinder progress and perpetuate

inequality. This section will dive into the way Lamar uses his writing and storytelling to illuminate the

lack of equal opportunity in the United States faced by African American communities, utilising

metaphors and narratives to explore the issue. In "Wesley's Theory" Lamar critiques the exploitative

nature of the entertainment industry and the financial snares that entrap many African American

artists: "And when you got the studio, yelling at the hoes / 'Get Money,' and we'll spend it on the

clothes / And the candy and the boats, and the candy and the boats / Hell no, must be the dope, now

I'll take a sip of that" Here, Lamar uses metaphors to portray the music industry as a system of

exploitation created by others, illustrating how African American artists often find themselves trapped

in cycles of materialism, financial dependency (losing all their money) and substance abuse. This

highlights a lack of equal opportunities for advancement and financial stability. This can be seen as

system injustice or just the lack of thinking done by the artists who do not notice they are being

exploited. In "Complexion (A Zulu Love)" Lamar addresses the persistent issue of education

inequality and the unfulfilled promises of a better future: "The new Nat Turner gotta shoot us / The

new Nat Turner gotta talk us / That's words, my nigga, we oughta / Get our house, my nigga" Lamar

reminds the public about the memory of Nat Turner, a slave who led a rebellion against oppression, to

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emphasize the need for new modern leaders that could empower communities with education and

proper meaningful speeches and dialogue. In the same song he goes on to rap: "Complexion don't

mean a thing / It all feels the same / All y'all feel the same / Complexion don't mean a thing / It all

feels the same / All y'all feel the same" The lines enforce the idea that skin colour and difference

should not be the factor that determines a person's opportunities or they're worth. Lamar want the

African American community to unite, showing that it is important to work together to work against

social barrier set by the skin colour. The mention of "Our House '' symbolizes the unfulfilled promise

of equal access to equality in education, housing and other opportunities for improvement of one's

self, showing the educational issues within the African American communities and the lack of

dedication when fulfilling promises. In "Alright'' one of the album's most popular track, Lamar

addresses racial profiling, police violence and the revolving nature of poverty and crime within

communities: "I keep my head up high / I cross my heart and hope to die / Lovin' me is complicated,

too afraid of chaisin' dreams / Put down that syrup çause we been waitin' for a long time" Here the use

of figurative language conveys the difficulties of being African American in a society that

systemically for decades has disadvantaged the communities. The reference to "Syrup speaks to the

dangers of substance abuse as a way to cope with the issues, extending the challenges that the African

American communities are faced with. Lamar's album serves as a powerful demonstration of the

continuous lack of equal opportunities that African American communities have. Lamar tries to paint

these barriers and emphasise that inequality will persist if nothing changes, by using his lyrics and

storytelling. In "Hood Politics" Lamar explores the cycle of crime and violence which causes

individuals to become trapped in places that can be bad influence's saying: "You can't gangbang

forever, don't gangbang forever / But as I gangbang forever, I'ma gangbang forever / I'ma gangbang

forever" He accepts that there are limited opportunities available for those of colour and if those

opportunities are not taken in then the continuation of this negative behaviour occurs. The repetition

of 'gangbang forever' highlights the incredibly low options for most of the people that are part of these

communities. He uses the platform he has to show these issues for the general public that might not

understand what these issues are, the artist has to role of becoming a powerful weapon for social

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change, as listener confront the realities of the lyrics and inequalities he is talking about, trying to

work towards a more equal and inclusive society.

Conclusion

In one of Kendrick Lamar's most meaningful albums, To Pimp A Butterfly, he serves as a

powerful critique to contemporary US culture in the present days, while still referring to past events

that have shaped the new issues. He tackles the issues present head-on, speaking about issues such as

Slavery & Racism, Substance abuse in the African American communities and the lack of equal

opportunities for these said communities. Lamar brings a deep analysis of the issues confronting the

modern culture, allowing for the selected research question to be answered: In what ways does

Kendrick Lamar, on To Pimp a Butterfly, critique contemporary US culture, and what is the effect

created? His critiques to the culture are innovative and transformative. It causes the reader to confront

the uncomfortable issues and reality of millions of people in the US, they are obligated to rethink and

notions about US culture. His critique is a way to combat for social change, encouraging the end of

oppressive systems and create a more inclusive future where the communities can flourish and find

new beginnings. Through his lyrics, which utilise figurative language, elite storytelling, Ebonics,

result in every single one of the stories he is telling to become vivid in the listeners head. By telling

his personal story he also creates a connection with the listeners who now feel comfortable and

believe they understand the meaning of what he has to say. Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly is a

stong force of cultural critique. The carefully thought of lyrics and examination of topics including

slavery, racism, substance abuse, and lack of opportunities require the public to pay attention to them

and understand how massive these issues actually are. The examination calls for help and unity of the

people to combat them. His artistry is not just music, he leaves a mark on the cultural landscape of

these communities inspiring people to face these issues and truly understand the complexity and

challenges of contemporary US culture.

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