Aug 18, 2015

Kendrick Lamar
SOTD





LETS EAT






@KendrickSXN
​

Tracklist

0. K.DOT
1. Track 13
2. Outrageous
3. War Is My Love
4. The Art Of Peer Pressure
5. 1Train
6. P&P 1.5

Week 2

1. I Hate You + Bonus Song: Vegas
2. Comtpon
3. It Aint Hard 2 Tell
4. Evil
5. Really Be
6. Nosetalgia
7. Faith

Week 3

1. Wesley's theory
2. Blow My High
3. Good Kid
4. u
5. Average Joe​

 

Oct 17, 2015

Week 2

Day 7: Faith


Felt like I'm free from all my sins when the service was over
Walked out the church, then got a call that my homie was murdered




Welcome to Day 7 of Kendrick SOTD. To be 100 with you, the song I was going to display today was ‘Westside Right On Time’ but if you look above me it seems like someone had similar thoughts as me. Now before I start talking about this song, I want all the atheists in here to take a deep breath and calm the f--- down because I know how some of you MFers like to instantly hate on anything ‘God’ related. This is a song, if you don’t believe in God; that’s cool but just try and respect other people’s opinion, now that that’s out the way, let’s get to the track.

As you can probably tell by the title of the track this song is about ‘Faith’. Kendrick details different scenarios in verse 1 and 2. The first verse about Kendrick himself and the second verse about a woman. In both of these scenarios the characters turn to God for advice/help, after reaching out to him they end up trying to get a better relationship with God, Kendrick starts to preach about God and the woman avoids committing a sin to get herself out of a situation. Unfortunately both of these verses don’t carry happy endings and results in them losing their ‘faith’

The third verse is actually carried out by TDEs president ‘Punch’ but we are not going to get into that. Fourth verse and Kendrick is basically saying that it seems that whenever pain is what your feelin, it’s hard to believe that god really exists and ends the verse by telling us that god is really testing our faith; I ain’t tryna go too in-depth tho, I aint rap genius.
I mean its a beautiful song, everything about it; from the instrumental to BJ on the hook. You are really going to have to listen to the song and listen to the lyrics to see what im talking about.
Shout out to Queen @shahidah (the best female in this forum) she picked out this song

@shahidah on 'Faith'

Let me start by saying ...BJ's voice was perfect for this song...it is so smooth and I love how he harmonized with the beat.

On to the verses...
I really like the lyrics.. they're not complex to understand but the meaning is so deep....

I mean you don't even have to be religious or spiritual to understand faith and the struggle religious people go through when they feel like God has abandoned them
Its simply just believing in yourself, for those who aren't religious.

But I find it cool how he can tell his story, and someone else's story in a couple of bars...like you don't even need to know the person to understand the struggle goin on in their life. This is what makes Kendrick so real and down to earth as an artist to me, the fact that he can capture that emotion with his words and he doesn't even have to be talking about himself.




​

 

Oct 23, 2015

Week 3

Day 1: Wesley's Theory


When I get signed, homie, I'mma act a fool
Hit the dance floor, strobe lights in the room




Welcome to Week 3 of Kendrick SOTD. Im sorry 4 the wait, im sorry 4 the wait. Yes it’s finally here, now calm yourself. The song we are going to be listening today is the intro song from ‘To p---- A Butterfly’ aka AOTY and if you don’t think so then we gonna have problems. Presenting you this song is the best female in the forum @shahidah ; okay let’s get it.


shahidah:
The first thing that catches my attention is the cracking/crackling sound, which instantly gives me the image that I'm putting an old vinyl record on. That combined with the fade in of Boris Gardiner's "Every n---- Is a Star" takes me back, in only the first min of the song.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PlMzSdo2L._SX355_.jpg

I cant help but get that classic vibe, like a Motown record.

George Clinton ' intro = summary of poem > summary of album....



"Hit me!
When the four corners of this cocoon collide
You’ll slip through the cracks hopin' that you’ll survive
Gather your way, take a deep look inside
Are you really who they idolize?
To p---- a butterfly"




The first line reminds me of the process of becoming a butterfly, "you'll slip through the cracks..." describes breaking from the cocoon. Where he says "Gather your wind, take a deep look inside.." - I imagine that's Kendrick growing wings and looking inside his soul or simply remembering where he comes from and thinking... "Are you really who they idolize?" He's asking himself if he's ready to be a leader.


"Lookin' down is quite a drop (It's quite a drop, drop)
Lookin' good when you're on top (When you're on top you got it)
A lot of metaphors, leavin' miracles metaphysically in a state of euphoria
Look both ways before you cross my mind."


Kendrick totally has me stumped with this line "A lot of metaphors, leavin' miracles metaphysically in a state of euphoria". Unless he's referring to the previous 2 lines and that being on top of the game it's a long way down. I mean this one went right over my head. Also, it's always a nice surprise when I'm listening to it with headphones and I hear the shift in beat from the right ear to the left ear when George Clinton sings, cross.

Finally, HUGE s/o to the engineer(s) and producer(s) on flowing the Sax solo at the end of Wesleys Theory, with the beginning solo on For Free. The timing was perfect, Kudos.

Sad part is there's so much more to this track, I barely scratched the surface, but I look forward to discovering other things that I love about it as I listen in the future.

References/Info

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=36290

@KendrickSXN
​

 

Oct 11, 2015

Week 2

Day 6:Nosetalgia


My daddy turned a quarter piece to a four and a half
Took a L, started selling soap fiends bubble bath
Broke his nails misusing his pinky to treat his nose




Welcome to Day 6 of Kendrick SOTD.I should probably change the title to Kendrick Verse of the Day because I have been choosing a lot of features lately, but I don’t believe it matters as any track Kendrick hops on becomes his.
Let’s get to the track.
Man the way Kendrick opens his verse is one of most amazing things I have ever heard.
‘You wanna see a dead body?’

Instant flashbacks to the movie Boyz In da Hood every time I hear it.
The way he delivered the line was eerie as f---. I have replied the opening like twenty times as I write this I swear to god, and that is only the opening, I haven’t even touched on his crazy wordplay in this verse yet.


‘Quantum physics could never show you the world I was in
When I was TEN, back when nine ounces had got you TEN
And nine times out of TEN, n----s don't pay atTENtion
And when there's TENsion in the air nines come with exTENsions’

Jesusss. Kendrick deserves an award just for this verse. I mean beside the phenomenal lyrics he just spat; Kendrick delivered them PERFECTLY; like always. Kendrick is saying that no matter how complex quantum physics is even the smartest people will never understand what Kendrick has experienced in Compton. Then Kendrick hits us with the numerical wordplay that was just mad crazy, the way he structured those lines and delivered them was just
this isn’t the only time Kendrick plays around numbers like this

Best Rapper Under 25





@KendrickSXN​

 

Dec 8, 2015

Week 3

Day 5: Sherane aka Master Splinter's Daughter
​

I met her at this house party on El Segundo and Central
She had the credentials of strippers in Atlanta
a--- came with a hump from the jump she was a camel
I want to ride like Arabians,push an '04 Mercedes-Benz
"Hello my name is Kendrick,"she said "No, you're handsome"..​

Jehovah:

Welcome to Kendrick SOTD Week 3 Day 6. Yes, it’s been more than a minute since I did this. Yes, It’s called “Song of the day” and Yes, this slacking is becoming consistent.
But s---, yall should be used to this by now and Jehovah had to leave this thread for a bit to hold the city down.
Don't yall know that Jehovah drops every blue moon


Today we looking at the first track of GKMC "Sherane aka Master Splinter's Daughter"
(credit to @shahidah this was written by her and this thread will have stayed dead until 2016 if it wasn’t for her)

shahidah:

this track is one of my favorites to close my eyes to and play out the scene like a movie, which is basically how I listen to GKMC, as "A short film by Kendrick Lamar".






the lyrics of each verse are what play into the script vibe ................

Verse 1 introduces the characters of Kendrick and Sherane. Kendrick starts with.."I met her at this house party on El Segundo and Central...", so I can imagine Kendrick being at a party, while he notices a chick so bad he is reminded of "Strippers in Atlanta". My knowledge of ATL is that its known for having hot temperatures, as well as being home to Magic City, a popular strip club in Atlanta.

you know what's also hot?
riding camels like the "Arabians in the hot desert". Tying in with his Arabian hot desert reference,
Kendrick tells us that she's got a fat a--- or camel toe ?? or both? in the lines, "a--- came with a hump, from the jump she was a camel".

So Kendrick greets her simply by stating his name, "Hello my name is Kendrick". Sherane, who is equally as interested replys "No, you're handsome".

AWEE MAN....Sherane giving Kendrick some play.

@ this point in the song, im interesting in seeing how the story is going to play out. Im already feeling the vibe he's getting from this chick, hopefully things turn out good for young Kendrick .

As verse 1 ends Kendrick tells us "..Dropped the number, we chirped the whole summer and well.."

Verse 2
"The summer had passed and now I'm liking her.
Conversation we having probably enticing her.
Who could imagine, maybe my actions would end up wifin' her.
Love or lust, regardless we'll f--- cause of the trife in us."


Verse 2 continues the story of Sherane and Kendrick so well...
-you know the whole summer's passed since their first time meeting at the party
-also you can tell by how Kendrick describes their convos. of getting to know one another, they're both feeling each other. @ the end of verse 2, Kendrick and Sherane make plans to hang out.


"I wanna come over, what's up? That's what I told her soon as this episode
of Martin go off, I;m tryna get off.
I was in heat like a cactus, my tactics of being thirsty,
Probably could hurt me, but f--- it I got some heart
"Grab my momma's keys, hopped in the car, then oh boy".


I got 2 interpretations from these lines with the ending....."oh boy"...
Kendrick is feeling like something bad is about to happen when he meets up with Sherane
or
its an excited "oh boy, I cant wait".


Verse 3
"So now I'm down Rosecrans in a Caravan.
Passed Alameda, my gas meter in need of a pump.
I got enough to get me through the traffic jam..."


.."I had a fifth in the trunk like Curtis Jackson for ransom"
......"I'm hoping to get her loose like an uncle Luke anthem...."





"I pull up a smile on my face, and then i see
2 n----s, 2 black hoodies, I froze as my phone ring".


Verse three leaves us hanging on to wondering what happens when Kendrick pulls up to meet Sherane. I thought it was so smooth how they followed up the ending with the voicemail. Leading into the next track "b----, Dont k--- My Vibe". Somewhat foreshadowing to what's about to happen next between Kendrick and Sherane.

Spoiler: Spoiler

they get to a little rough patch in their relationship

The way Kendrick lays the lyrics down over this beat, with that eery howling intro and R&B vocals singing "ooohh....ahhhh..ooh ahhh" (sorry that's how it sounds in my head lol) that creeps you out, but at the same time caresses your soul, I thought made it a perfect intro track for a classic album (and story).

**SideNote...I thought Ryan Bassils', "The Narrative Guide To Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" was an interesting and a well thought out interpretation of the whole album.

Spoiler: Spoiler: link, if you're interested in reading

http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/the-narrative-guide-to-kendrick-lamars-good-kid-mad-city

@KendrickSXN​

 

Nov 9, 2015

Week 3

Day 3: Good Kid​

Look inside these walls
And you see I'm havin' withdrawals of a prisoner on his way
Trapped inside your desire to fire bullets that stray
Track attire just tell you I'm tired and ran away
I should ask a choir "What do you require
To sing a song that acquire me to have faith?"





Been a minute since I done this and Jehovah apologizes for that but let’s skip that petty s---. Welcome to Kendrick SOTD Week 3 Day 3. Today we are listening to Good Kid, from Kendrick’s album good kid, m.A.A.d city *cough* Album of the decade *cough*.

This is a song that does not get talked about enough. The way that Kendrick starts of this song is just flawless. Those opening lyrics are gold and just sets the tone for the whole f*cking song.
Kendrick tells a story and the first verse appears to be a continuation from the Poetic Justice skit where he is approached. The song tackles the negativity of gangs in Compton in the first verse and then police brutality in the 2nd verse. Kendrick links both of these verses together at the end with the way the both end.

The first verse ending with:

I don't mind cause one day you'll respect the good kid, m.A.A.d city

The second verse ending with:

He don't mind, he know we'll never respect, the good kid, m.A.A.d. city

Those goons that beat the s--- out of Kendrick might do a 360 in the future and come to respect the man that Kendrick has become but the cops will just look at Kendrick as another black man.

The last and short verse Kendrick finds himself in a room where he just describes the money, drugs and depression that surrounds him which I guess Kendrick could also be using this as a metaphor for the society he lives in. There are a lot of amazing songs in GKMC but this one might deserve a spot in the top 5.



@KendrickSXN​

 

Oct 1, 2015

Week 2

Day 5: Really Be


I swear this industry s---, to me is one big a--- lick
I walk inside of a buildin', tell the A&R n----- strip




Today we are looking at a track of YG’s album ‘My Krazy Life’
Very special moment in this song where two of my favourite west coast rappers hop on a track and hold it down; It’s also a noteworthy track in this album since many people compared MKL to GKMC since there are some small similarities. I guess it’s only right that both artists of those classic albums hopped on a track together.
Let’s get to the Kendrick verse.
I have to say first of all that I am actually a big fan of the flow Kendrick and YG used and that tone of voice. The tone of their voices show so much pain and it fits the main concept of the track perfectly. I know I probably said this before in a previous SOFTD I might have posted; but this is probably another one of my favourite Kendrick verses. You can feel Kendrick’s emotion as the track progresses, his voice cracking and his delivery making it difficult to tell if he is depressed or angry.


‘I'm on this tour bus and I'm f----- up, I got a bad call
They killed Braze, they killed Chad, my big homie Pup
Puppy eyes in my face, bruh,’


This is probably one the reason why Kendrick sits at the throne to this day. His emotion in his songs cannot be compared. It should also be noted that those lyrics above is actual fact. Kendrick’s friend died in the streets ‘Chad Keaton’. I believe that Kendrick has referenced Chad a total of 3 times including this, ‘u’ and in ‘Jealous’ by Fredo Santana. Kendrick also attended Pup’s funeral and paid a tribute.
Rest in peace to those 3 fallen soldiers.






I honestly don’t know what else to say; this is a top tier Kendrick verse.

What do you think of it?


@KendrickSXN​

 

Sep 6, 2015

Week 2

Day 2: Compton

Now everybody serenade the new faith of Kendrick Lamar
This is King Kendrick LamarKing Kendrick and I meant it,my point intended is raw



A Bonus track of GKMC; a very underrated track in my eyes. There is something extremely satisfying and magical about Kendrick and Dr. Dre exchanging verses after a 5 second hook. Both Kendrick and Dr. Dre’s delivery and lyrics complimented each other so well, the synergy between these 2 artists in this song was perfect and even the short hook was rather enjoyable. Not only is this song perfect but according to Kendrick this was the first song he did with Dre and stated that it was ‘the start of my new life’. if I had to compile a list of essential Kendrick songs this would be the first song I would consider.

Reference.

Kendrick Interview:

around 10:55
​

@KendrickSXN
​

 

Aug 21, 2015

Day 3: War is My Love​

‘Wake up in the morning and I gotta win
Not taking the victory, that's my only sin’



A track made for the video game Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. It’s like this instrumental was built for Kendrick. The way Kendrick flows with the song is breath-taking. There is not one thing in this song that is not enjoyable. Honestly a song that needs to be in every one of you Kendrick playlists.


​

 

Aug 19, 2015

Day 1: Track 13
‘My gun got many ways to get you
You get hit with a missile and live, you would need barbed wire to stitch you’




Track 13 of Kendrick Lamar’s Hub City Threat. The phase of his career in which he used the stage name K-Dot, which is now just known as a Kendrick’s alter ego.
Anyway let’s get to the track. This is one of Kendrick’s more hard hitting tracks with a catchy hook and very reckless delivery that gets all the kids scared like when Omar is coming. I am unsure if this track is officially supposed to be in Hub City Threat as a bonus track as track 12-16 are not in the datpiff website or any mixtape hosting website so I will post a link below for the project which includes the bonus tracks.

Download

@KendrickSXN


​

 

Jun 1, 2016

ive been wanting to do a SOTD for awhile and I was finally inspired after this song came up on shuffle

​

"H.O.C, H.O.C
All the real Smokers give me H.O.C......" (x2)


​

All the real smokers know H.O.C is an acroynym for the phrase "high on contact". I remember in my early days of smoking hearing that phrase and thinking "aint no way you can get high just by being around someone else who is". but then I ended up going to a couple of college house parties and being proven wrong. For Kendrick to not be a smoker, he definitely knows how to make a track for the smokers ... and everything about this song creates the most perfect vibe to chill out and smoke a blunt to.

first line of this literally had me like ....

"Everybody know I spit that other s---, s--- that make you duck for cover s---
s--- that make you hop out your seat and slap your mother s---...."



WHAAAAAAATTTT ! I mean WHO? says that ....for it to be the opening line ...ahh man it just makes me want to hear more of what Kenny has to say. the first verse of this track sets up a more playful side of Kendrick... it contains a lot of what I consider funny, and clever Kendrick lines. he plays around with a lot of similes to describe how dope of an artist he is, despite not currently being a smoker himself.​

". . .Especially when Drop drop the beat
I drop jewels like my nuts dropped out of my briefs
Jump in the booth and shatter every rapper's dream
They jump in a sauna because I killed their self-esteem
That's a jab, you should bob and weave
Like Pam when Martin pulled jokes out his sleeve
I go in studio sessions and feel like a nerd
Cause I'm the only n----- there not smoking no herb
You telling me the kush make you think on level 4?
I'm on 5, you saying that I can level more?
In high school my teachers thought I was smoking stress
Didn't know my eyes low cause of genetic defects
I stimulate my mind every time I think about the end of time
Creation of man and Columbine."

​

moving into the hook Kendrick lets us know he's more of an alcohol drinker (specifically Henny is his drink of choice) and hes real polite about it too...he's like​

". . .I really appreciate that you share your Indo
But a sip of Henny is the farthest I would go
I don't even smoke, I don't even smoke
I don't even smoke, I don't even smoke."
​

. . .what a gentleman .
​

Look, nowadays everybody think they're big chiefers
Just cause they heard that new tape from Wiz Khalifa
Knowing d--- well they can't hit the sour
They're new booties, they probably need baby powder
My skill shower over your city for 40 days
40 nights off the chain like freedom of slaves
Before you get it twisted like 40 gays
My flow worth the earth, that's not to be appraised
Those the type of lines that I'm talking 'bout
You know the type of rhymes you don't talk about
Copy my session on a disc when the session ends
So my momma can have it and play it for her friends
Brag on me like "My son's 'bout to win
Somehow some day and I don't care when"
I might hit the gin once a month
I'll let you inhale, like an atheist
​

for the first verse he rhymes the last word of each line with the next line (beat-briefs, dream-esteem, weave-sleeve, nerd-herb, 4-more, stress-defects, time-columbine), but he switches it up on verse 2. and then completely doesn't rhyme in the last 2 lines but it somehow works and flows with the rest of the verse. now we're taken to an early memory from Kendricks' past and he reveals an experience he had smoking with a friend. he barely rhymed at all, but the immaculate storytelling in this verse proves it isn't needed.​

"I'll take you back to the 9th grade
When Dough Boy had me high for 4 days
That's my n-----, he a street n-----
Probably in your hood, f---ing up your street, n-----
But anyway I think it was some purple
Told me "Don't hit it hard because it'll hurt you"
I didn't listen, I was floating like the Rose Parade
Swear to God a n----- seem some flying fishes.
That was the Vegas trip, Hooters sponsored
The same time I start writing like a f---ing monster. ."
​

is he saying that the weed had him creatively writing at his peak? .....this track is so dope its appreciated by smokers and non-smokers...hes not bashing those who do smoke or praising those who dont smoke but simply giving them a track they can come together and vibe to. to me this song is one of the highlights on OD because of how easily digestible the lyrics are. theyre cleverly constructed rhymes, but not overly complicated to understand. I think Kendrick had fun writing this song, I know I have fun and am able to enjoy life everytime I listen to it.

this track samples the end of the beat:
Mass Productions - Galaxy




​

@KendrickSXN

​

 

Nov 13, 2015

Week 3

Day 4: u

I know you're irresponsible, selfish, in denial, can't help it
Your trials and tribulations a burden, everyone felt it
Everyone heard it, multiple shots, corners cryin' out
You was deserted, where was your antennas again?




Welcome to Week 3 Day 4 of Kendrick SOTD. Yeah that's right n-----, we managed to put up 2 Kendrick songs in a week. That's a motherfucking achievement if you ask Jehovah.
Today we looking at "u" a song from TPAB *cough* album of the century *cough*
Quick Shoutout to queen @shahidah , the song today was picked by her, she wrote this herself and she put a lot of effort on this.
If shahidah dont trust you Jehovah gon s---t you
Ait lets get it

@shahidah :

Now I know a lot of fans prefer the hype tracks from Kendrick like Cartoons and Cereal, Michael Jordan, etc. But I love and appreciate the emotional tracks too. Some of my most played songs are the ones where he gets really emotional and personal with his listeners.

Songs like "u" and "Sing About Me.." touch my soul. It probably has something to do with the fact that some of the lines hit home for me. It's crazy how even though he's speaking on his own experiences, his words resonate with me because they remind me of my own experiences.

Moving on to the hook...the simplicity of the lyrics is perfect because it gives the listener the chance to appreciate parts like..

1. the heartbeat under that eerie/creepy howl sound
2. Kendricks raspy voice as it breaks each line
3. His stress on the word 'complicated'

Kendrick doesn't just rap or spit lyrics at you. He's painting a scene, giving you a feeling and being vulnerable. That's dedication right there.

"I f---in' tell you, you f---in' failure you ain't no leader
I never liked you, forever despise you I don't need you
The world don't need you, don't let them deceive you
Numbers lie too, f--- your pride too, thats for dedication
Thought money would change you, made you more complacent
I f---in' hate you, I hope you embrace it...

Kendrick mini spazzed on himself here, but that's nothing compared to the ethering he he does later in the song.

Now we get to my favorite part (the Ethering)
"Everyone heard it, multiple shots, corners cryin' out
You was deserted, where was your antennas again?
Where was your presence, where was your support that you pretend?
You ain’t no brother, you ain’t no disciple, you ain’t no friend"

.......

"Shoulda killed yo a--- a long time ago
You shoulda filled that black revolver blast a long time ago
And if those mirrors could talk it would say "you gotta go"
And if I told your secrets
The world'll know money can't stop a suicidal weakness"


So harsh...I almost hate reading the lyrics sometimes, but that's real self doubt right there...I KNOW. The level of vulnerability in this song is amazing to see an artist show. Especially when we're surrounded by so much "reality tv", its hard to tell what's real as opposed to what's scripted.
I can see why it's an overwhelming track. I also understand why even though this is such an awesome track, its not one you can listen to everyday or perform in front of a massive crowd. However, I would love to hear Terrace Martin play the saxophone solo live, it brings me back to my clarinet playing days....

Anyway....
Good thing we have "I" and "Alright" to make it all better.







@KendrickSXN​

 

Sep 22, 2015

Week 2

Day 4: Evil


Live from the barbershop, who want a fade?
Who want war? I got a drawer full of hand grenades




Welcome to Week 2 Day 4.


Today we are looking at a track of ScHoolboy Q’s mixtape Gangsta & Soul. A mixtape I didn’t even know existed until 10 minutes ago. The mixtape includes 2 features from Kendrick Lamar, so even if you are not a fan of ScHoolboy Q I recommend that you at least download this mixtape or listen to the two features.
Back to the track. Kendrick Lamar just snaps on this track; his alter ego K-Dot just unleashes on this track. Kendrick sends threats after threats with a very gritty delivery and his classic K-Dot flow this song just had me tweaking the first time I heard it.

Reference:

ScHoolboy Q Mixtape​

@KendrickSXN​

 

Aug 31, 2015

Week 2

Day 1: I Hate You

Let me start off this letter saying I don't like you
Scared of you but I will fight you



The beginning of Week 2. I’m putting up 2 songs today, mostly because the song that I was originally going to put up is disappointingly short but still a great song so I will use it as a bonus track.

The first track of Week 2 is ‘I Hate You’. An old Kendrick song that actually shares similarities to some songs of Kendrick’s new project ‘TPAB’. A dark song like ‘u’ and by the end of the song you will most likely know who this ‘letter’ by Kendrick is being written for, much like ‘How Much A Dollar Cost’

Bonus Song: Vegas​

A throwaway from GKMC which sounds unfinished. Don’t have much to say about this, very short song which was supposed to be an interlude. This song has a lot of potential, I believe that if Kendrick added another verse it could had been a great song, as a matter of fact the only reason I added this was because I kept replaying it just wishing there was a second verse but this will have to do.

@KendrickSXN​

 

Aug 18, 2015

 

Mar 2, 2016

When I get some free time this week I'll write something

 

Mar 2, 2016

You guys should bring this back. You had a good thing going on here.
@Jehovah @shahidah

 

Dec 8, 2015

Great write up @shahidah. The story telling in this song is so vivid.

 

Nov 20, 2015

Week 3

Day 5: Average Joe

Grabbed the nine-ball, opened up the door, then got in
Somebody said fall back,we gon' make these n----s suffer
You my brother like a frat, and that's just to remind you
Thought about that so long I had failed my finals,f---





Welcome to Kendrick SOTD Week 3 Day 5. Been a week since the last Kendrick song and 8 days would have been too long so I’m doing this now. Today we looking at “Average Joe” a song of the mixtape “Overly Dedicated”

Kendrick states in the first twenty seconds of the song that the hardest thing that he could do is explain to us who he is within 16 bars; and that’s exactly what he does, starting the verse with
“Who is K. Dot?”

The first verse Kendrick tells us the life of a young Kendrick Lamar but mostly about the g--- culture that is surrounding his presence; everywhere he goes, from sitting on a curb to even following him to Elementary school.

Everyone I knew was either crip or piru
Cousins in elementary, relatives in high school
With that being said, each one of their rivals
Was aiming something at my head,I needed survival
Got jumped, got jacked, shot at, shot back
And I don't even push a line, I'm just tryna push these rhymes

Kendrick makes rapping look effortless sometimes. The last phrase is simple but so powerful at the same time. Kendrick ain’t tryna push lines, he ain’t tryna gangbang he just wants to rap, and the city and everyone around him keeps trying to f--- with him(Also links in with the hook), I mean Kendrick been trying to explain to us that he is the Good Kid since OD.

The last few phrases in verse 2 were probably my favourite part of the song.

Grabbed the nine-ball, opened up the door, then got in
Somebody said fall back,we gon' make these n----s suffer
You my brother like a frat, and that's just to remind you
Thought about that so long I had failed my finals,f---, but


Pretty sure Kendrick was about to catch a body, or nah? Kendrick has always been a Good Kid and I’m pretty sure his homie knew that as well: “Somebody said fall back”, Kendrick’s friend knew him, they knew that he wasn’t bout that life and that hesitation might have got Kendrick killed (Jehovah might be reaching a bit too far tho) Kendrick’s friends were down regardless even if Kendrick weren’t along for the ride, they didn’t care. They were all family and all have the same struggle; living in Compton, besides a few years down the line Bloods and Crips would respect the good kid





@KendrickSXN​

 

Nov 13, 2015

Great work once again @shahidah and @Jehovah !!

I bet this was influenced by me calling the 3rd verse Kendricks verse of the year. (jokess)

Honesty it's so hard to pick which one was better because all of them are so good. My favourite songs on albums always change, but this one has consistently stayed in my top 3 since I've first listened to it.