city - is a party anthem, but despite its mass appeal, is a much darker track that deals with peer pressure and alcoholism. For example, the excellent “Swimming Pools (Drank)” - from Lamar’s own good kid, m.A.A.d. Subject matter in rap/hip-hop sometimes eludes close examination. Lamar’s “Control” verse is critical to hip-hop for a number of reasons, the primary one being that it drew so attention for its lyrical content. While Lamar’s verse was heavily discussed and overanalyzed, he had already called out specific rappers three years prior on a freestyle over Kanye West’s “Monster.” Though, at the time, no one cared, because he wasn’t as famous as he is now. What’s strange (to me, at least) is at this moment and as El-P mentioned, no one is paying attention to what is really being said. In my experience listening to hip-hop, it has always been about the lyrics. His music is critically revered, and a pretty big reason for that is because it’s driven by powerful storytelling. If anything, the verse on “Control” is a call to action from Lamar, who is using the mainstream platform to his advantage. After digesting the reflections of these two artists, my views had solidified, and there was no need to discuss it any further. It shouldn’t be surprising.” Similarly, Flying Lotus tweeted similar thoughts. Like, of course you’re supposed to be incredible… It shouldn’t be rare. I liked Kendrick Lamar and knew he was a great rapper, so why wouldn’t I also be praising him?ĭuring an interview two days later El-P offered his opinions on the said verse, “It’s so funny to me to see people freak out - all these born-again hip-hop purists and shit.” He further elaborated, ”Lyrics are important! No shit…Some of us been going for the throat our whole careers…It’s crazy to me that anyone’s like freaking out over someone being ill. While most friends were posting their views on the verse and the state of hip-hop, it didn’t faze me. Dot’s verse put the Internet hype machine into overdrive. I tried to avoid paying attention, but the effect of K. I remember this moment vividly because at the time, I was on vacation, untethered to the never-ending entertainment news cycle.
On August 14, 2013, Big Sean released “Control,” a single that turned into a controversy immediately as a result of Kendrick Lamar’s verse calling out specific rappers.
0 kommentar(er)
