“To Pimp A Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar has turned ten years old
What is considered one of the most important records in the recent history of rap, has turned ten years old. “TO PIMP A Butterfly “The masterpiece of Kendrick Lamar, is a stratified album, full of sounds and powerful messages. Here are three musical references to approach the project and understand its importance. The first It is the Sound-Parliament-Funkadelic universe, in particular a name above all, George Clinton, which is also present in the album. “TO PIMP A Butterfly” is a celebration of Black Music, funk, jazz, soul and obviously rap. Between the sound -sounded and contaminated sound of Clinton and that of Lamar there is a red threadit is no coincidence that the work of the Rapper of Compton has contributed to bringing a music scene made up of incredible musicians including including Thundercat.
The second reference is Michael Jackson: in what is considered the only truly danceable piece of the disc, “King Kunta”, a hit that tells the story of a rebellious black slavethere is a tribute to the king of pop with a manipulated sample of “Smooth Criminal”. Another source of constant inspiration, in the path of the Californian artist, was certainly Tupac. With his twelve minutes of duration, “Mortal Man” is the longest song of the album, and constitutes a poignant reflection in which Kendrick thinks about the spiritual legacy that he will leave in the future, in relation to that offered by great leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X. It makes all this by staging a dialogue with Tupac Shakur. There is a beautiful passage that shows how Lamar, in an era of running to often provide simple and deceptive answers, Instead, ask big questions about the faith that can generate rap music and to what extent you will have to follow who loves. Kendrick says: “You tell me that a song of mine is much more than a simple song, this is certainly a blessing. But a prophet is not a prophet until this question asks you: When I stay with shit to the neck, will you still be my fan?“.
