Political music - RATM, Public Enemy, Idles, Allflaws

[Micca]

 

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On 07/06/2024 at 10:24 AM, Nilsi said:

kendrick here masterfully analyzes the systemic vortex of crime and violence within black culture.

he deconstructs the narratives of successful black people who are looked up to as role models, yet only perpetuate and reinforce the preconditions of their demise. this theme is visually reinforced by him morphing into controversial black celebrities like o.j. simpson, kanye west, and will smith, and is constantly underscored by the marvin gaye sample that forms the musical backdrop of the lyrics. gaye, a hugely successful black musician and prominent social justice activist, was famously shot by his own father over a trivial personal dispute. this "cultural" perpetuation of violence and pain is also viscerally felt in the beating drum loops that relentlessly run throughout the track, culminating and resolving in kendrick speaking from the perspective of the late nipsey hussle, the ultimate tragic hero of black culture, who suffered a similar fate to marvin gaye. kendrick feels indebted to carrying on his legacy, hinting at the perhaps inevitable martyrdom that comes with being a true black leader.

kendrick, in some sense, blames black culture itself for its own shortcomings, presenting a harsh realpolitik reflection on the once-promising civil rights movement of the mid-20th century. while the movement achieved surface-level successes in changing policies and ending segregation, it has, in some sense, failed to change the fate of african americans in a meaningful way.

Great analysis and insight. Very interesting indeed.  

Kendrick is amazing. 

[Micca]

New ALLFLAWS video Chimera. Very dystopian but very stunning at the same time.