@@Guitargate thats good rap for ya joey bada$$, royce da 59, kendrick, mac miller all these dudes have this power to make ANY music enjoyer, regardless of genre, gripped at the song
I remember when he made a mixtape and rapped over all Tha carter 3 beats, or some other Wayne beats. It was before OD. I was a mixtape surfer. I’d dig deep on datpiff back then.
The fact that bro actually mentioned 'Euphoria' in 'The Heart Part 5' alone just blows my mind 🤯 It almost seems like kendrick was only reminiscing this whole drake diss battle, shit already happened in his head a long time ago. Spooky! who else's here after the drake massacre ?
Next time you do a Kendrick reaction definitely get the lyrics. He won a Pulitzer prize. In my opinion he is the equivalent of Bob Dylan in hip hop. Just an amazing writer and mind. His live stuff is just great too
As a massive Bob Dylan fan i would NOT agree more! Kendrick is such an unbelievably talented writer. Thank god we live at the same time as Kendrick AND Dylan
As a black man, who plays piano, your reaction was exactly what Kendrick wanted you to feel. The best way to describe the music, overcoming, similar to Rocky like you said. Kendrick spoke from the perspective of those gone, and said that their days were fulfilled in this lifetime and that their mission was accomplished. They had victory even in their untimely deaths (Kobe and Nipsey) because their days were meaningful. Great review.
I’m a black guy that randomly came across your video. I appreciate all music damn near. Really enjoyed your review man, especially considering you don’t know, Kendrick. Hope you listen more, he’s one of the greatest artist of all time 💯
"The funk is in the silence" That's a bar, bro! and thank you for talking about that break, i knew something special was happening but couldn't put it into words. keep up the great work!
For not listening to rap much, you jumped right into the deep end. Awesome. Without catching all the bars or having much experience with this, you identified most of the major themes, which speaks volumes to your perception and Lamar's artistry. I've got a ton of respect for you for posting this even though it's so new to you. There are doubles all over the song, but even without experience, a smart listener can pick many of them out after pouring over the lyrics. The last two words are "emit still,"...a near homophone of "Emmett Till" or even "emit steel." There's that sort of wordplay throughout.
Kendrick Lamar is the real deal. Definitely a modern day musical legend. Definitely check out more in your free time. For me, his entire To Pimp A Butterfly album listened front to back is one of the greatest albums ever made.
Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly was an inspiration for Bowie’s Blackstar. David Bowie loved Kendrick’s inspirited nouveau take on hip hop with jazz, blues and off-beat samples.
@@janana6138 go to the To Pimp a Butterfly wiki page and look under the Influence tab, Bowies producer talks bout how they listened to it while recording Blackstar en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Pimp_a_Butterfly
Bowie, Kendrick, true artists that never rest on their laurels. They don't have to please is everyone but they have to challenge the status quo. Thanks for the info
Michael, as a big fan of you, I truly hope this is the moment where you find a route into the depths of great rap/hip-hip. Kendrick is the voice of a generation and has allowed myself and many others to learn about life from a different and very important perspective. Like the Dad on turning the tables (youtube) and many others, there is so much to learn from this music. Peace and love.
@@justing42 and people like you are missing out on so much great music because of some stupid bias towards an entire genre. and at the same time you are probably complaining that there isn't "real music" anymore and that the record industry ruins music. what the 60s/70s were for rock, the 10s/20s are for rap. just open your mind, there is so much great music to explore and it's not culturally relevant than ever.
"A route into the great depths of rap" speaking of depths, how deep have you gone into rap? Just curious, let's be honest, when did you start listening to rap? There is absolutely no flow in this rap. None! I feel sorry for myself if this is the future of rap.
Kendrick Lamar created a masterpiece. The sample of this song is Marvin Gaye's song "I want you"! Im so glad Marvin Gaye's estate allowed him to sample this song. I love your genuine reaction to kendrick lamar.
What you're hearing with Kendrick's flow is a mastery of rhythm. He often imitates drums with his cadence. He goes over the barline quite often. There's so many things to unpack. The lyrics, the beat his cadence, the double entendres,couplets... it goes on forever. You have to live with his music for awhile to get everything. Not a single word is wasted.
@hempwickwizard You're welcome to your opinion. I agree with some of your points. He is a great poet. He does technically use polyrhythms in How Much A Dollar Cost? That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head. I'd have to go back through his catalogue.
Wesleys theory was my first hip hop song I’ve like actually tried to listen to, and let me say _that song_ and _that chorus_ fucked me up the first time I heard it.
This video was a journey. Powerful. To see you go from "let me learn this on guitar" to "wait, something's happening. I should just listen" to "Here's some music theory, but IT DOESN'T MATTER" This was good.
Hey Michael, this beat is actually a sample from Marvin Gaye’s “I want you” and there’s a live version of him in a basement of some sort and laying a couch singing the song. Need to react to it because it is phenomenal! True master of what he does
I'm laughing so much at you, almost completely by accident, choosing THIS as your first dive into American hip-hop hahaha. It reminds me a bit of those videos of kids jumping into a seemingly small puddle and falling up to their waist. Valiant attempt my man, but you simply can't do Kendrick without lyrics. No-one can. It's why he's Kendrick.
I think kendrick is the perfect start for people who appreciate artistry in music but don't listen to hip hop. There's so much depth in his music from the composition of the instrumentals to the phrasing of the bars. Kendrick is a true artist in every meaning of the word.
The whole thing is the vibe of Marvin’s “I want you.” Just gorgeous…and he emulates how Marvin gently speaks over the music in the beginning of some of his songs. Marvin is my fave singer of all time. Respect to Kendrick for noting his genius.
Kendrick Lamar is that level of genius / brilliance that is unquestionable and recognized no matter if you care for his style of music or not. When I hear Kendrick I get the same feeling of being in an other worldly genius like when I first listened to Hendrix.
As a hip-hop fan, I honestly never expected to see you reacting to any rap on this channel so I appreciate that you were willing to give this a shot. Rap is/can be the most lyrically dense form of music out there, so if you haven't trained yourself to listen to it you will definitely miss a lot, if not everything. Kendrick is one of the best to ever rap, but he does not "dumb it down" to make his lyrics more accessible. This song is mostly about his struggles with what he considered culture, whether it be Black American culture, hip-hop culture, gang culture, American culture, or western culture in general. The last verse is entirely about a rapper called Nipsey Hussle who was murdered in front of his own clothing store in the neighborhood he grew up in. The guy was doing his best to be a positive influence on his community and whatever other cultures he was part of. It would take multiple listens AND understanding a lot of context that isn't spelled out in the song to get most of what Kendrick is saying, though.
Thank you for all you do on this platform, Michael. Seriously love your channel my man, and soooo stoked you chose this song. The last section with Kobe and Nipsey Hussle, both of whom RIP, is as heartbreaking as it is incredible when you have the lyrics side by side (as with the other faces, but particularly this section). Both folks who used their success to try to better their communities, but both tragically die before most if not all their potential good is able to really come to fruition. Kendrick cuts the drums out, likely in memoriam, as drums are arguably the “heartbeat” of a song…. Add in the dope soulful Marvin Gaye sample “I want you” (can do that lesson another time lol) which serves as yet another character/face on its own both for the hook and the singer himself….another star who suffered a tragic death as yet another casualty of the culture… Intentional art. Cheers if you decide to go down that KL rabbit hole ✌🏼
Song that's sampled is a Marvin Gaye tune, "I Want You" Hope that helps. Love your vids🤘🏾 Edit: came back after listening to what you said at the end. Spot the F on. I am a musician as well and mostly play prog/metal/jazz. Your musicianship has always shown thru in all your vids and this only further emphasized it for me. Lotta folk would learn a lot by listening to other genres. Especially hip hop. The history that can be learned from the sampling alone is tremendous. How so many who couldn't play an instrument still made music and influenced culture. I'm rambling. Please, keep up the great work mate. ✊🏾🤘🏾🤟🏾
LOVED that you chose to listen, watch and react! It was so cool that I, as did others, immediately recognize the Marvin Gaye hook from "I Want You" but you heard "Rocky" who's chords are in there too! Good stuff. You are a great example of why everyone needs to step out of their comfort zone, be open and try something new, especially in music. Keep it up MP!
This is such a great video. Im here after the diss drama and tbh ive never heard Kendrick before (other than the recent diss songs). So in a way this is also my first time listening to his work. Incredible stuff. I dont think ive heard such genuine music and good art in a long time. It truly makes me feel alive and good.
As someone who has listened to Kendrick for years, he is one of the most incredible artists of our time. I listened to this song (the heart part 5) often when it dropped but I had almost forgotten how amazing it was, especially with the visuals. You should check out more of his music if you're interested
Kendrick Lamar surrounds himself with some of the best musicians when he’s making music. To Pimp A Butterly is amazing. Lots of funk, jazz, and rock themes with lyrics that have a message. All of his albums are thematic.
the amount of features on TPAB alone is amazing, Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, George Clinton, Bilal, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper to name a few. Insane
The song is essentially about what the term “culture” has done and how it has damaged the black community, the feeling of wanting to be apart of the hood (“the culture”) and not being accepted , the feeling of loss and hurt and how we deal with those feelings within the community as well as ourselves well atleast that’s how I internalized it.
this album is good but dude pleasssseee listen To Pimp A Butterfly. Its not only, imo, one of the greatest hip hop albums, but one of the greatest albums straight up, also some brilliant arrangements to breakdown. Its jazz, its free, its poetry, its experimental, its dark, its tragic, its everything. I know the comments will be flooded with similar comments but its the real deal
To truly appreciate what you've just experienced take the time to go to the Lost In Vegas channel's reaction to this amazing work of art. There are so many levels to the lyrics that those of us who are outside of hip hop - like me, a 64 year-old white guy in rural Maine - just can't grasp even with a lyric sheet. Artists like Kendrick Lamar are at the pinnacle of what music can be but climbing to those heights takes some effort from his audience, too. I can truly say that I would have missed so much if I hadn't had great guides - Ryan and George, for those who know the channel - to lead me deeper. What I also would have never appreciated is the impact the video has. Even knowing that he turns into OJ, then Kanye, Jesse Smollett, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle (after doing some research) by itself wouldn't give me a clue about how conflicted and complex a reality they symbolize within "the culture" that Kendrick alternately scolds, seduces, implores, analyzes and finally, embraces with all his heart. It's OK to need a teacher sometimes. Right?
Man... Kendrick unites the critical thinkers of the world, and I can only hope that he is inspiring more to "climb those heights". I really enjoyed your comment just as much as the video. ". . .but climbing to those heights takes some effort from his audience, too."
A++ the Lost in Vegas breakdown is solid and they provide a lot of necessary context. I've been listening to hip hop and rap since the 90s and they still taught me a few things. One of the things I appreciate about rap, but particularly this song, is how frequently artists reference each other in subtle ways that you won't pick up on if you're not immersed in it. Like in this track, I heard lyrical references to Jay-Z, Nas, and Lauryn Hill, but I'm sure there are more I missed. And knowing the bodies of work and artists he's referencing provides a whole 'nother layer of meaning.
@@TheAndersox Exactly. There's no way that just looking at the lyrics can help with those kinds of deeper connections. To use an obvious comparison, if someone heard Dylan back in the 60's but had no knowledge of pre-existing tropes from folk music or how songs were at the heart of the American labor movement, they couldn't appreciate how he appropriates and modifies both the language and melodies of earlier works. They could still enjoy his work but much of his genius would stay hidden.
Damn bro the amount of respect you have while not knowing much about the genre is fire. This is like the perfect impression people should be getting, wp mane
12:12..Huh? As a black guy, it was instantly apparent that It was a Marvin Gaye sample/remake of his song "I Want You". Which, combined with his lyrics which were about embracing his people and culture and feeling love even through pain, all drew parallels. And you got ROCKY from it?! It's fascinating how much perspective changes interpretation of art!
Thank you for trying something that you may consider to be "out of your wheelhouse". When there are big events in our culture like the release of this song, and Kendrick Lamar in general, it is great to see more people get exposed to and enjoy the content. It brings us all closer together!
This reaction literally made me tear up because of how genuine his reaction. Like the way he wanted to comment on the song but just felt like he couldn’t pause the song till Kendrick finished talking was so good. Like you really see him taking in the music and it super refreshing.
You should react to Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" music video. That's what got me--a diehard metalhead--into rap/hiphop/r&b. Now most of what I listen to is rap/hiphop/r&b. The intro of the video has such an amazing jazzy section
As a guitarist for 20 yrs, and a Hip-hop listener for my entire life, I can say anecdotally/subjectively that BOTH have helped me become a better artist/musician. Its refreshing to see u hear/watch hip-hop, but Kendrick transcends genre, he has always had jazz/funk influence but has created new lane for himself and stands alone. The faces are OJ, Smollett, Nipsey, Kobe, Will Smith are all black men the have been judged(for right or wrong), struggled in a racist/capitalist society, and become the essence and expectation of what a "successful black man" should be, and have had to adapt to find their own sense of self in a flawed way. Also I will say Rocky was already heavily influenced by black culture but, this song is reclaiming it in a way. The lyrics, the message, the groove and rhythm and the empathy expressed should be vital for any musician, bec those are the basis of any art. Well done!
Great post! Man, the jazzy guitars have been stuck in my head all day. I've always loved the instrumentals on Kendricks albums. I'm a huge Metal/Rock guy, but I'm glad that I discovered Kendrick from playing GTA. This sounds like a fun song to learn on guitar, and way different to what I normally play 😆
Excellent statement. Couldn't have said it better. I like how you think. It shows me that there's hope and that's part of the purpose of Kendrick's music.
Honestly, this was out of you comfortzone, and the fact that you did this makes you a fantastic content creator, and I hope that you will keep doing these sorts of things!
You'll hear rappers reference the idea of "subdividing" the beat, as you explained it, as finding the right "pocket" .. If you listen to rap with the idea in mind that part of the skill is finding unexpected pockets, I think you'll really enjoy it. Basically what Kendrick did to you, hit you with an unexpected pocket.
Thanks for this! It is awesome to see an assessment of Kendrick’s music from someone with your background. I honestly appreciate the perspective that you gave here.
Not knowing anything behind this song, you gave an incredible interpretation that is pretty spot on in the same way you said "he's speaking my language just in a different way".... Definitely look up the lyrics cuz there are so many subtleties throughout. Everything in this video was done intentionally, my favorite being him cutting out the drums - the heartbeat of music - ....the two people featured once the drums were removed, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle, are the only two featured who have already passed away. 100% go listen to the new album, I believe you would enjoy it...
The bit about how Kendrick’s feeling the music at 7:50 is the most beautiful, precise explanation of how different people interpret rhythms that I’ve ever heard. That alone was worth the click. Thank you.
[edit add - I always LOVE your intros] ... You teach me every damn time. ☮☮❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥💜💜 i have seen this react before... but i need to scroll through your latest. I cannot fully tell you how much energy, joy, and gift that you give in every post. Brother... thank you. I sometimes stop breathing just to hear your passion and your education. Danke Sir, I want to listen to the instrument first, the lyrics second, the video watch last... but damn... KL slayed this on all three.
Seeing your excitement brought tears to my eyes, my friend. You seem so understanding. I remember feeling like this when I first heard Kendrick 13 years ago. Thank you for giving me a chance to relive that moment vicariously through your open and honest take on to what is for you, a new artist and genre. Bless up 🙏🏾
Hell I use to hate rap when I was in highschool, I was funk, soul, classic rock, and punk rock purist, but Kendrick Lamar is the one that saved me and introduced me to a world of music that I love so much now, from 90s hip hop to modern day greats like jcole, mac miller, and Anderson Paak, I can honestly say I love it all ❤
I love how you changed things up and listened to some hip hop. Would love to see you do more of these. Super cool to see your honest reaction and how mesmerized you are with a new style of music that you are being exposed to!
As someone who found you through a hip hop reaction, I can say your reactions seems very honest. I’d like to see you make more of these. You break it down better than most “reactors”
@@Guitargate I loved what you picked up about subdivisions though! Rhythmic "flow" is a massive part of rap that goes way underacknowledged by a lot traditional musicians and I'd love to see you analyse it in other hip hop songs in the future.
Never expected to see this! Kendrick Lamar really is an artist of the highest Caliber. To Pimp A Butterfly has Thundercat, Ronald Isley, George Clinton, Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington and so many other world class musicians. He is all for the music
Done tapped into the Matrix and I love it. The hands on your face "I don't know how to describe this" reaction is everybody's on their first listen to some Kendrick. Musical and lyrical genius, one of the rarest once in a generation talents. Well done 🤝🏽
I enjoyed this video so much. The fact the you have never really listened to Hip Hop but Kendrick was your first choice to listen and make a video about speaks volumes in your taste in music. This man is a legend in hip hop already. He’s been my favorite rapper for a decade; he’s a huge deal in industry. This song was a sample from Marvin Gaye.
I loved every second of this reaction/breakdown, probably more so than your usual ones, seeing you try to find the words to articulate your thoughts on a style of music you're not well-versed in.... it felt very genuine to see and I appreciate you sharing that. Would love to see more of these.
Sir, you blessed my whole entire life with your commentary at the end. Just blessed my whole life. I can't wait to see you get more into Kendrick, should you choose to do so. I hope you do. Commentary like this is rich.
The best thing about this is all your subscribers and fans commenting and replying that genuinely just enjoy good music and aren’t complaining about you doing a hip hop song I love this
Even if it's not for content, take the time to listen to "To Pimp a Butterfly" from start to finish- and you'll understand why Kendrick is considered a once per generation artist.
As a hip-hop stan (and Kendrick Lamar die-hard) myself, there have been countless times where I have been told that hip-hop "isn't real music," or that rap is "just speaking with a beat." Many times, these criticisms come from people who claim to be music-aficionados and such. With that said, it is incredibly refreshing to hear a musician, especially one that does not come from or often indulge in the rap community, to be giving such high-praise to an artist like Kendrick Lamar. Absolutely earned my subscription.
I used to be like this. I'm black from a black family so I would always here rap and hiphop music but my head was too far up my ass to appreciate it. I would dismiss it all as the same. now that I actually dwelled into the genre. it's one of the most interesting genres out there. the rhythm and accents are on a whole other level. the lyricism of kendrick is so fucking incredible and genuinely eye-watering. the beats and backing tracks are as interesting music can get. when I think of progressive genres, I think of prog rock, prog metal, jazz, avant-garde, alternative rock etc but alternative hip-hop or progressive rap stands out in a different way. I mean, have you heard the madvillany album, it's so strange but great. I genuinely believe you aren't a true fan of music until you learn to appreciate all genre for what they do. dislike them or not but appreciate is a different. from appreciating the weird feelings you get from ambient or avant-garde to the crazy harmonies of jazz
This is why I love this channel. Music is music and it touches everybody differently. Thanks for doing this video. Kendrick is on another level entirely.
The best thing about this is he’s speaking from HIS perspective. This Kendrick beef has people think that we are trying to kick people out. We love to share our culture and we want to see others enjoy it. Just be yourself when doing so.
This was a beautiful video breakdown. Started out with a mission to teach and ended up learning. I truly believe we can all come together through music. Bravo brother, bravo 💪🏾
Kendrick is the greatest artist, in any medium, of the 21st century so far. I say this as an old suburban white guy with probably zero life or cultural experience in common with the man. Exploring his discography has been one of the great musical experiences of my life, and I feel my life is richer and I am wiser as a result of his work.
that first verse had my eyes starting to water already. wow. its heavy, its complex, there's a lot going on in the stories which requires you to pay attention...that to me is something that has always been appealing to me about Kendricks stuff, kind of like revisiting a book or tv series instead of an album. and people like him DON'T get discovered all the time... Loved seeing your reaction, Michael.
Lmao you sound so much like that corny white dude.. thank you for that. Thanks for being yourself. I felt your genuine intrigue and excitement about this. As a black man (I know, that shouldn't matter) and a musician I can't tell you how many times I've watched ppl reacting to this or any other hip hop & try to "act black". It's your child-like curiosity, stepping into a musical world you may not be all the way familiar with that makes me keep watching. It's seeing how you navigate through the unknown and be willing to be a bit uncomfortable that makes me a new subscriber. Job well done, Sir. Job well done.. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Haha hey man never watched a video of yours in life. But you got my sub. I love that you decided to test the waters and create your own perspective based off what you heard. Thank you for being genuine man.
Isn’t that a breath of fresh air Michael, when you hear something new and it stops you in your tracks and you know you’ll have to slow down to dissect it! Beautiful
i love how you say the flow Kendrick was following was always there but you couldn’t find it, but when he started rapping again it all made sense to you. that moment alone really captures what i love about music.
"The funk is in the silence". You get it. Haha. Literally just stumbled on your channel. If ever you want to get into hip hop/rap, and look into lyrics or music. I would strongly suggest an album like To Pimp a Butterfly. It's the sophomore album (some would say 3rd album) by Kendrick Lamar. It's got a heavy jazz influence within it. Glad you were introduced, in a sense, to this genre through this song by this artist.
You're in a new place, Mike. I love it. Not my thing, but I'm always open to new tunes. The timing is defo different...but DAMN. It's on point. It's just something different to what us trad guys know. I've never seen you struggle like this. It's good, man. You're growing.
It was fun as a guitarist who has been listening to Kendrick to watch another guitarist listen for the first time. His cadence is beautiful. I doubt you wanna do a “series” but if you have time to keep up with this new work, the opening track on Mr. Morale is also a trip.
Watching an obviously inclined musician constantly get tempted to play along, and just stop himself always at the last moment because he keeps hearing something even more interesting, has really deepened my appreciation for this track.
Who’s here after the diss
Right here 🎉
yep. this is what makes Kendrick such a great artist
Me
.........me
Literally everyone who reads that comment bro stupid af
“I don’t usually listen to this type of music”
2 min later…
“2.5 minutes of him just spittin that shit”
The fact that you stopped playing the guitar and started listening to the lyrics is dope. 💯
Yeah man - this HAS ME
You don’t listen, but you understood what he is saying . Thanks 👏🏾👏🏾 14:27
@@Guitargate thats good rap for ya
joey bada$$, royce da 59, kendrick, mac miller
all these dudes have this power to make ANY music enjoyer, regardless of genre, gripped at the song
"By the time you hear the next pop, the funk shall be within you"
😂 if you know you know
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
He was gonna kill a couple rappers...but they did it to them selves.
@@TreFoxR3 Everybody's suicidal, they ain't even need his help.
ong bro, this is the perfect example 😂
I love watching people realise that Kendrick is top tier talented poet and musician
Why?
@@jamesmccaul2945is like seeing someone watch Star Wars for the first time it’s just good shit
I’m 27 and have been a Kendrick fan since 12. Seeing someone witness his genius for the first time is beautiful honestly.
K dot ken dog
Are you from Compton? Just kinda wild you've been listening since before O.D
@@jaceking5938has to be, back in 09 I think Kendrick was only known in Cali
I remember when he made a mixtape and rapped over all Tha carter 3 beats, or some other Wayne beats. It was before OD. I was a mixtape surfer. I’d dig deep on datpiff back then.
I concur
He started the video with a plan and ended up mesmerized. Same dude, same.
The fact that bro actually mentioned 'Euphoria' in 'The Heart Part 5' alone just blows my mind 🤯
It almost seems like kendrick was only reminiscing this whole drake diss battle, shit already happened in his head a long time ago. Spooky!
who else's here after the drake massacre ?
He mentioned Euphoria in the King’s dead verse also. Kendrick seriously dislikes Drake. Not a promo beef
@@CrownxMe7 damn, seems he really does cuz. It’s crazy!
And he mentioned not like us on the "wow freestyle"
Next time you do a Kendrick reaction definitely get the lyrics. He won a Pulitzer prize. In my opinion he is the equivalent of Bob Dylan in hip hop. Just an amazing writer and mind. His live stuff is just great too
I like that comparison, I had never thought of it like that
As a massive Bob Dylan fan i would NOT agree more!
Kendrick is such an unbelievably talented writer. Thank god we live at the same time as Kendrick AND Dylan
Absolutely agreed!
Ummm, no.
@@nizzurtmontalgizzert3337 hmm good point go on?
As a black man, who plays piano, your reaction was exactly what Kendrick wanted you to feel. The best way to describe the music, overcoming, similar to Rocky like you said. Kendrick spoke from the perspective of those gone, and said that their days were fulfilled in this lifetime and that their mission was accomplished. They had victory even in their untimely deaths (Kobe and Nipsey) because their days were meaningful. Great review.
kobe did a bad thing
@@yourwrongloserhaha so did you...
@@derrickmico7423 i have never raped anyone
It’s really true people will try and find anything I’ve did bad things man
@@derrickmico7423 i never settled out of court because of a rape case, i know, but kobe did😐
I’m a black guy that randomly came across your video. I appreciate all music damn near. Really enjoyed your review man, especially considering you don’t know, Kendrick. Hope you listen more, he’s one of the greatest artist of all time 💯
as a white guy from the country i really believe kendrick is the greatest lyrical artist of our generation. one of the greatest writers of all time
Same bro! Respect 🫡
As an Alien 👽 from outer space 🛸 I agree with everything said here.
@@squidthunder missed opportunity, should’ve started with ”as a green alien…”
@@e.parry_realtor hahahah...yes.
“Love that you left that in” speaking directly to Kendrick 😭💀🤣
"The funk is in the silence"
That's a bar, bro! and thank you for talking about that break, i knew something special was happening but couldn't put it into words. keep up the great work!
someone should throw that on a shirt, thats some wisdom
"By the time you hear the next pop, the funk shall be within you"
I put on da ugly face like homie said a meannnn battle rap bar!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💯💯💯
Glad Kendrick is getting love from all types of people. What a wonderful world we live in.
I don't know if many people pull off 'genuine' as much as you in your reactions. Amazing stuff
Thank you Adam!
@@Guitargate PLEASE react to his album To Pimp A Butterfly
check out mercurial number six, he is a very genuine reactor too!
For not listening to rap much, you jumped right into the deep end. Awesome. Without catching all the bars or having much experience with this, you identified most of the major themes, which speaks volumes to your perception and Lamar's artistry. I've got a ton of respect for you for posting this even though it's so new to you.
There are doubles all over the song, but even without experience, a smart listener can pick many of them out after pouring over the lyrics. The last two words are "emit still,"...a near homophone of "Emmett Till" or even "emit steel." There's that sort of wordplay throughout.
Indeed
Wow I thought "Emmett Till" when I listened to it as well, thought I was the only one and that it was too far-fetched lol
This is why I love music man
9:15 ”The funk is in the silence” is the best piece of musical wisdom this channel has given us
No he's given us a lot more than that.
Kendrick Lamar is the real deal. Definitely a modern day musical legend. Definitely check out more in your free time. For me, his entire To Pimp A Butterfly album listened front to back is one of the greatest albums ever made.
I honestly think Good Kid is even better than Butterfly
Drake?
I find it very interesting that everybody's favourite is to pimp a butterfly but in my opinion, good kid maad city is his best work
@@seyitant4997 no. He’s one of the best of the decade but he’s no Kendrick. He just doesn’t have that touch that Kendrick has
@@adamjanek3511 Huge Kendrick fan❤️🎵 ...but yeah I would definitely say M.A.A.D City is the best 🥇 For Sho 🎼🎷😎✌️🎶💯
Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly was an inspiration for Bowie’s Blackstar. David Bowie loved Kendrick’s inspirited nouveau take on hip hop with jazz, blues and off-beat samples.
Ayo bro that sounds mad interesting, where’d you read that?
@@janana6138 go to the To Pimp a Butterfly wiki page and look under the Influence tab, Bowies producer talks bout how they listened to it while recording Blackstar
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Pimp_a_Butterfly
Bowie, Kendrick, true artists that never rest on their laurels. They don't have to please is everyone but they have to challenge the status quo. Thanks for the info
Michael, as a big fan of you, I truly hope this is the moment where you find a route into the depths of great rap/hip-hip. Kendrick is the voice of a generation and has allowed myself and many others to learn about life from a different and very important perspective. Like the Dad on turning the tables (youtube) and many others, there is so much to learn from this music. Peace and love.
Great rap and hip hop is an oxymoron
@@justing42 is that it? Just gonna brush off an entire genre? One of which you’re probably not all that familiar with?
@@justing42 and people like you are missing out on so much great music because of some stupid bias towards an entire genre. and at the same time you are probably complaining that there isn't "real music" anymore and that the record industry ruins music. what the 60s/70s were for rock, the 10s/20s are for rap. just open your mind, there is so much great music to explore and it's not culturally relevant than ever.
"A route into the great depths of rap" speaking of depths, how deep have you gone into rap? Just curious, let's be honest, when did you start listening to rap? There is absolutely no flow in this rap. None! I feel sorry for myself if this is the future of rap.
@@AroundTheHorn1 lol wait, are you saying Kendrick can’t rap?
It's quite simple, Kendrick is a great poet/storyteller that can reach a person soul... the truth always wins because it's real...
Kendrick Lamar created a masterpiece. The sample of this song is Marvin Gaye's song "I want you"! Im so glad Marvin Gaye's estate allowed him to sample this song. I love your genuine reaction to kendrick lamar.
What you're hearing with Kendrick's flow is a mastery of rhythm. He often imitates drums with his cadence. He goes over the barline quite often. There's so many things to unpack. The lyrics, the beat his cadence, the double entendres,couplets... it goes on forever. You have to live with his music for awhile to get everything. Not a single word is wasted.
"if seans a black Beatle then I need a 10 minute drum solo bitch you see at Woodstock"
@hempwickwizard You're welcome to your opinion. I agree with some of your points. He is a great poet. He does technically use polyrhythms in How Much A Dollar Cost? That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head. I'd have to go back through his catalogue.
@hempwickwizard you must not be a good drummer then
@hempwickwizard This is such an insane comment. To say he's "ok" as a poet is crazy lmao. One of the greatest lyricists of all time
Wesleys theory was my first hip hop song I’ve like actually tried to listen to, and let me say _that song_ and _that chorus_ fucked me up the first time I heard it.
The way Kendrick caught this guy and it's his first time just made me laugh my lungs out😂😂😂😂
This video was a journey.
Powerful.
To see you go from "let me learn this on guitar" to
"wait, something's happening. I should just listen" to
"Here's some music theory, but IT DOESN'T MATTER"
This was good.
My sentiments exactly. It's amazing to see true inspiration happen right in front of your eyes.
ii was waiting for this EXACT comment. ii was just mesmerized at how he just fell into deep focus in this video bc he didn't want to miss ANYTHING
You gotta do "To Pimp A Butterfly". You will be blown away from this album musically and lyrically.
Hey Michael, this beat is actually a sample from Marvin Gaye’s “I want you” and there’s a live version of him in a basement of some sort and laying a couch singing the song. Need to react to it because it is phenomenal! True master of what he does
I jammed it and i was like this sounds like marvin gaye and knew it i was right lol lov eme some marvin gaye
can't make their own music? the fuck is wrong with them. Marvin Gaye makes the song beautiful. and I love so much "I Want You"
Its a song called mercy mercy me
@@the_maori_with_the_mo nah it’s definitely I want you.. mercy mercy me is a good song though
@@ogulcanyolcu8714 ignorance at its finest here folks
I'm laughing so much at you, almost completely by accident, choosing THIS as your first dive into American hip-hop hahaha. It reminds me a bit of those videos of kids jumping into a seemingly small puddle and falling up to their waist. Valiant attempt my man, but you simply can't do Kendrick without lyrics. No-one can. It's why he's Kendrick.
That’s exactly how I feel.
I think kendrick is the perfect start for people who appreciate artistry in music but don't listen to hip hop. There's so much depth in his music from the composition of the instrumentals to the phrasing of the bars. Kendrick is a true artist in every meaning of the word.
Don't be cringe
@@pffilms2522 dont be lonely
You?? Lmaoooooooo…. I’m rolling. Rocky?
the hook is a marvin gaye sample
whole song is just i want you stemmed and chopped up, absolutely brilliant
The whole thing is the vibe of Marvin’s “I want you.” Just gorgeous…and he emulates how Marvin gently speaks over the music in the beginning of some of his songs. Marvin is my fave singer of all time. Respect to Kendrick for noting his genius.
The tears drop when he morphs onto Kobe & Nipsey Hussle.
Kendrick Lamar is that level of genius / brilliance that is unquestionable and recognized no matter if you care for his style of music or not. When I hear Kendrick I get the same feeling of being in an other worldly genius like when I first listened to Hendrix.
💯🎯
And imagine no talent artist like future calls himself Hendrix 😂🤣
As a hip-hop fan, I honestly never expected to see you reacting to any rap on this channel so I appreciate that you were willing to give this a shot. Rap is/can be the most lyrically dense form of music out there, so if you haven't trained yourself to listen to it you will definitely miss a lot, if not everything.
Kendrick is one of the best to ever rap, but he does not "dumb it down" to make his lyrics more accessible. This song is mostly about his struggles with what he considered culture, whether it be Black American culture, hip-hop culture, gang culture, American culture, or western culture in general. The last verse is entirely about a rapper called Nipsey Hussle who was murdered in front of his own clothing store in the neighborhood he grew up in. The guy was doing his best to be a positive influence on his community and whatever other cultures he was part of.
It would take multiple listens AND understanding a lot of context that isn't spelled out in the song to get most of what Kendrick is saying, though.
Young thug a better rapper Wym
@@YSLJOKER lol good one
No need to gatekeep
@@sebastianlenzlinger9291 where did I gatekeep?
Kendrick Lamar is one of those pure artists who can be appreciated by all creatives. This is art!
That last part with nipsey hussle was amazing.
It’s like he channeled him and it allowed nipsey to address the world from beyond the grave
So are you saying the rest of the song wasn’t amazing?
Thank you for all you do on this platform, Michael. Seriously love your channel my man, and soooo stoked you chose this song.
The last section with Kobe and Nipsey Hussle, both of whom RIP, is as heartbreaking as it is incredible when you have the lyrics side by side (as with the other faces, but particularly this section).
Both folks who used their success to try to better their communities, but both tragically die before most if not all their potential good is able to really come to fruition. Kendrick cuts the drums out, likely in memoriam, as drums are arguably the “heartbeat” of a song….
Add in the dope soulful Marvin Gaye sample “I want you” (can do that lesson another time lol) which serves as yet another character/face on its own both for the hook and the singer himself….another star who suffered a tragic death as yet another casualty of the culture…
Intentional art. Cheers if you decide to go down that KL rabbit hole ✌🏼
Love it. Thanks my friend!
@@Guitargate PLEASE react to his album To Pimp A Butterfly
Thats marvin gaye brother, but you feel it, thats all that matters ❤
Song that's sampled is a Marvin Gaye tune, "I Want You"
Hope that helps. Love your vids🤘🏾
Edit: came back after listening to what you said at the end. Spot the F on. I am a musician as well and mostly play prog/metal/jazz. Your musicianship has always shown thru in all your vids and this only further emphasized it for me.
Lotta folk would learn a lot by listening to other genres. Especially hip hop. The history that can be learned from the sampling alone is tremendous. How so many who couldn't play an instrument still made music and influenced culture. I'm rambling. Please, keep up the great work mate. ✊🏾🤘🏾🤟🏾
I enjoyed your rambling! speaking facts
Drake trying to understand Kendrick’s diss records
😂😂😂😂😂😂
LOVED that you chose to listen, watch and react! It was so cool that I, as did others, immediately recognize the Marvin Gaye hook from "I Want You" but you heard "Rocky" who's chords are in there too! Good stuff. You are a great example of why everyone needs to step out of their comfort zone, be open and try something new, especially in music. Keep it up MP!
Thanks so much!!
This is such a great video. Im here after the diss drama and tbh ive never heard Kendrick before (other than the recent diss songs). So in a way this is also my first time listening to his work. Incredible stuff. I dont think ive heard such genuine music and good art in a long time. It truly makes me feel alive and good.
As someone who has listened to Kendrick for years, he is one of the most incredible artists of our time. I listened to this song (the heart part 5) often when it dropped but I had almost forgotten how amazing it was, especially with the visuals. You should check out more of his music if you're interested
One of the greatest of all time without a doubt
You've gotta do more Kendrick Lamar man. I want to see you go down this rabbithole.
Kendrick Lamar surrounds himself with some of the best musicians when he’s making music. To Pimp A Butterly is amazing. Lots of funk, jazz, and rock themes with lyrics that have a message. All of his albums are thematic.
the amount of features on TPAB alone is amazing, Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, George Clinton, Bilal, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper to name a few. Insane
“That’s rocky” 😂😂😂
Yt Ppl😂😂😂
That’s Marvin Gaye
😂😂😂😂😂
The song is essentially about what the term “culture” has done and how it has damaged the black community, the feeling of wanting to be apart of the hood (“the culture”) and not being accepted , the feeling of loss and hurt and how we deal with those feelings within the community as well as ourselves well atleast that’s how I internalized it.
this just sounds like a whole bunch of projection tbf
I think you're spot on. Ignore that 👆🏿 person.
Spot on
this album is good but dude pleasssseee listen To Pimp A Butterfly. Its not only, imo, one of the greatest hip hop albums, but one of the greatest albums straight up, also some brilliant arrangements to breakdown. Its jazz, its free, its poetry, its experimental, its dark, its tragic, its everything. I know the comments will be flooded with similar comments but its the real deal
“…..the funk is in the silence…”
Now you’re talkin 🤝🏾
To truly appreciate what you've just experienced take the time to go to the Lost In Vegas channel's reaction to this amazing work of art. There are so many levels to the lyrics that those of us who are outside of hip hop - like me, a 64 year-old white guy in rural Maine - just can't grasp even with a lyric sheet. Artists like Kendrick Lamar are at the pinnacle of what music can be but climbing to those heights takes some effort from his audience, too. I can truly say that I would have missed so much if I hadn't had great guides - Ryan and George, for those who know the channel - to lead me deeper.
What I also would have never appreciated is the impact the video has. Even knowing that he turns into OJ, then Kanye, Jesse Smollett, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle (after doing some research) by itself wouldn't give me a clue about how conflicted and complex a reality they symbolize within "the culture" that Kendrick alternately scolds, seduces, implores, analyzes and finally, embraces with all his heart. It's OK to need a teacher sometimes. Right?
Man... Kendrick unites the critical thinkers of the world, and I can only hope that he is inspiring more to "climb those heights".
I really enjoyed your comment just as much as the video.
". . .but climbing to those heights takes some effort from his audience, too."
A++ the Lost in Vegas breakdown is solid and they provide a lot of necessary context. I've been listening to hip hop and rap since the 90s and they still taught me a few things.
One of the things I appreciate about rap, but particularly this song, is how frequently artists reference each other in subtle ways that you won't pick up on if you're not immersed in it. Like in this track, I heard lyrical references to Jay-Z, Nas, and Lauryn Hill, but I'm sure there are more I missed. And knowing the bodies of work and artists he's referencing provides a whole 'nother layer of meaning.
@@dually81 Thanks for the kind words. Great artists, like Kendrick, and great teachers (as Michael often is) deserve support.
@@TheAndersox Exactly. There's no way that just looking at the lyrics can help with those kinds of deeper connections. To use an obvious comparison, if someone heard Dylan back in the 60's but had no knowledge of pre-existing tropes from folk music or how songs were at the heart of the American labor movement, they couldn't appreciate how he appropriates and modifies both the language and melodies of earlier works. They could still enjoy his work but much of his genius would stay hidden.
@@WDRhine Spot on.
Damn bro the amount of respect you have while not knowing much about the genre is fire. This is like the perfect impression people should be getting, wp mane
12:12..Huh? As a black guy, it was instantly apparent that It was a Marvin Gaye sample/remake of his song "I Want You". Which, combined with his lyrics which were about embracing his people and culture and feeling love even through pain, all drew parallels. And you got ROCKY from it?! It's fascinating how much perspective changes interpretation of art!
Thank you for trying something that you may consider to be "out of your wheelhouse". When there are big events in our culture like the release of this song, and Kendrick Lamar in general, it is great to see more people get exposed to and enjoy the content. It brings us all closer together!
His albums Good Kid, Maad City and To Pimp a Butterfly are really masterpieces.
This reaction literally made me tear up because of how genuine his reaction. Like the way he wanted to comment on the song but just felt like he couldn’t pause the song till Kendrick finished talking was so good. Like you really see him taking in the music and it super refreshing.
i think i teared up when i first herd this. i'm just glad you saw what he saw. great reaction!!!
You should react to Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" music video. That's what got me--a diehard metalhead--into rap/hiphop/r&b. Now most of what I listen to is rap/hiphop/r&b. The intro of the video has such an amazing jazzy section
As a guitarist for 20 yrs, and a Hip-hop listener for my entire life, I can say anecdotally/subjectively that BOTH have helped me become a better artist/musician. Its refreshing to see u hear/watch hip-hop, but Kendrick transcends genre, he has always had jazz/funk influence but has created new lane for himself and stands alone. The faces are OJ, Smollett, Nipsey, Kobe, Will Smith are all black men the have been judged(for right or wrong), struggled in a racist/capitalist society, and become the essence and expectation of what a "successful black man" should be, and have had to adapt to find their own sense of self in a flawed way. Also I will say Rocky was already heavily influenced by black culture but, this song is reclaiming it in a way. The lyrics, the message, the groove and rhythm and the empathy expressed should be vital for any musician, bec those are the basis of any art. Well done!
Move to North Korea or Cuba, enjoy the beautiful Communism there, or is it State Capitalism? lol
Very well said
Great post! Man, the jazzy guitars have been stuck in my head all day. I've always loved the instrumentals on Kendricks albums. I'm a huge Metal/Rock guy, but I'm glad that I discovered Kendrick from playing GTA. This sounds like a fun song to learn on guitar, and way different to what I normally play 😆
Excellent statement. Couldn't have said it better. I like how you think. It shows me that there's hope and that's part of the purpose of Kendrick's music.
Honestly, this was out of you comfortzone, and the fact that you did this makes you a fantastic content creator, and I hope that you will keep doing these sorts of things!
You'll hear rappers reference the idea of "subdividing" the beat, as you explained it, as finding the right "pocket" .. If you listen to rap with the idea in mind that part of the skill is finding unexpected pockets, I think you'll really enjoy it. Basically what Kendrick did to you, hit you with an unexpected pocket.
Thanks for this! It is awesome to see an assessment of Kendrick’s music from someone with your background. I honestly appreciate the perspective that you gave here.
The fact he couldn't really play is a testament to Kendrick's artistry. Respect!
Not knowing anything behind this song, you gave an incredible interpretation that is pretty spot on in the same way you said "he's speaking my language just in a different way".... Definitely look up the lyrics cuz there are so many subtleties throughout. Everything in this video was done intentionally, my favorite being him cutting out the drums - the heartbeat of music - ....the two people featured once the drums were removed, Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle, are the only two featured who have already passed away. 100% go listen to the new album, I believe you would enjoy it...
The bit about how Kendrick’s feeling the music at 7:50 is the most beautiful, precise explanation of how different people interpret rhythms that I’ve ever heard. That alone was worth the click. Thank you.
[edit add - I always LOVE your intros] ... You teach me every damn time. ☮☮❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥💜💜 i have seen this react before... but i need to scroll through your latest. I cannot fully tell you how much energy, joy, and gift that you give in every post. Brother... thank you. I sometimes stop breathing just to hear your passion and your education. Danke Sir, I want to listen to the instrument first, the lyrics second, the video watch last... but damn... KL slayed this on all three.
Seeing your excitement brought tears to my eyes, my friend. You seem so understanding. I remember feeling like this when I first heard Kendrick 13 years ago. Thank you for giving me a chance to relive that moment vicariously through your open and honest take on to what is for you, a new artist and genre.
Bless up 🙏🏾
I was 12 when I listened to GKMC for the first time. 1 of maybe 3 albums to make me cry. One of the greatest story tellers in human history.
Hell I use to hate rap when I was in highschool, I was funk, soul, classic rock, and punk rock purist, but Kendrick Lamar is the one that saved me and introduced me to a world of music that I love so much now, from 90s hip hop to modern day greats like jcole, mac miller, and Anderson Paak, I can honestly say I love it all ❤
I love how you changed things up and listened to some hip hop. Would love to see you do more of these. Super cool to see your honest reaction and how mesmerized you are with a new style of music that you are being exposed to!
As someone who found you through a hip hop reaction, I can say your reactions seems very honest. I’d like to see you make more of these. You break it down better than most “reactors”
This guy might be the best reactor ever without even noticing it
Can't wait for the inevitable additional reactions from Kendrick to come
If we do it again, It'll be a live performance with a band :)
@@Guitargate this is why we love being apart of your community
@@Guitargate I loved what you picked up about subdivisions though! Rhythmic "flow" is a massive part of rap that goes way underacknowledged by a lot traditional musicians and I'd love to see you analyse it in other hip hop songs in the future.
@@Guitargate ua-cam.com/video/sop2V_MREEI/v-deo.html
Woah someone I know in real life on the internet haha
Never expected to see this! Kendrick Lamar really is an artist of the highest Caliber. To Pimp A Butterfly has Thundercat, Ronald Isley, George Clinton, Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington and so many other world class musicians. He is all for the music
I've only watch this once othe than this reaction, it makes me cry as a black man especially the tribute to Nipsey 😢...great review
Done tapped into the Matrix and I love it. The hands on your face "I don't know how to describe this" reaction is everybody's on their first listen to some Kendrick. Musical and lyrical genius, one of the rarest once in a generation talents. Well done 🤝🏽
I like seeing people realize life is better when they know Kendrick exists and is amazing
I enjoyed this video so much. The fact the you have never really listened to Hip Hop but Kendrick was your first choice to listen and make a video about speaks volumes in your taste in music. This man is a legend in hip hop already. He’s been my favorite rapper for a decade; he’s a huge deal in industry. This song was a sample from Marvin Gaye.
I loved every second of this reaction/breakdown, probably more so than your usual ones, seeing you try to find the words to articulate your thoughts on a style of music you're not well-versed in.... it felt very genuine to see and I appreciate you sharing that. Would love to see more of these.
Amazing video. The instrumental breakdown and build up at the end gives me chills every time. And the lyrics. My God the lyrics.
Sir, you blessed my whole entire life with your commentary at the end. Just blessed my whole life. I can't wait to see you get more into Kendrick, should you choose to do so. I hope you do. Commentary like this is rich.
LOVE this man! Its so great seeing someone with a musical background reacting to Kendrick.
We all need to take appreciation this man diving into our culture and appreciating the pure sound of good music we produce
Doesn’t everyone see music like this? When the drums drop out and it’s just bass. I can still feel every sound
The best thing about this is all your subscribers and fans commenting and replying that genuinely just enjoy good music and aren’t complaining about you doing a hip hop song
I love this
Even if it's not for content, take the time to listen to "To Pimp a Butterfly" from start to finish- and you'll understand why Kendrick is considered a once per generation artist.
I like how he feels the music and thinks before he talks this is a dope channel
Appreciate you stepping out the box Mike, definitely like your perspective on it!!!
As a hip-hop stan (and Kendrick Lamar die-hard) myself, there have been countless times where I have been told that hip-hop "isn't real music," or that rap is "just speaking with a beat." Many times, these criticisms come from people who claim to be music-aficionados and such. With that said, it is incredibly refreshing to hear a musician, especially one that does not come from or often indulge in the rap community, to be giving such high-praise to an artist like Kendrick Lamar. Absolutely earned my subscription.
I used to be like this. I'm black from a black family so I would always here rap and hiphop music but my head was too far up my ass to appreciate it. I would dismiss it all as the same.
now that I actually dwelled into the genre. it's one of the most interesting genres out there. the rhythm and accents are on a whole other level. the lyricism of kendrick is so fucking incredible and genuinely eye-watering. the beats and backing tracks are as interesting music can get. when I think of progressive genres, I think of prog rock, prog metal, jazz, avant-garde, alternative rock etc but alternative hip-hop or progressive rap stands out in a different way. I mean, have you heard the madvillany album, it's so strange but great.
I genuinely believe you aren't a true fan of music until you learn to appreciate all genre for what they do. dislike them or not but appreciate is a different. from appreciating the weird feelings you get from ambient or avant-garde to the crazy harmonies of jazz
This is why I love this channel. Music is music and it touches everybody differently. Thanks for doing this video. Kendrick is on another level entirely.
The best thing about this is he’s speaking from HIS perspective. This Kendrick beef has people think that we are trying to kick people out. We love to share our culture and we want to see others enjoy it. Just be yourself when doing so.
This was a beautiful video breakdown. Started out with a mission to teach and ended up learning. I truly believe we can all come together through music. Bravo brother, bravo 💪🏾
Kendrick is the greatest artist, in any medium, of the 21st century so far. I say this as an old suburban white guy with probably zero life or cultural experience in common with the man. Exploring his discography has been one of the great musical experiences of my life, and I feel my life is richer and I am wiser as a result of his work.
that first verse had my eyes starting to water already. wow. its heavy, its complex, there's a lot going on in the stories which requires you to pay attention...that to me is something that has always been appealing to me about Kendricks stuff, kind of like revisiting a book or tv series instead of an album. and people like him DON'T get discovered all the time... Loved seeing your reaction, Michael.
Lmao you sound so much like that corny white dude.. thank you for that. Thanks for being yourself. I felt your genuine intrigue and excitement about this. As a black man (I know, that shouldn't matter) and a musician I can't tell you how many times I've watched ppl reacting to this or any other hip hop & try to "act black". It's your child-like curiosity, stepping into a musical world you may not be all the way familiar with that makes me keep watching. It's seeing how you navigate through the unknown and be willing to be a bit uncomfortable that makes me a new subscriber. Job well done, Sir. Job well done.. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I loved this reaction! Would love to see more of this!
Your reaction/analysis is great to witness. Thanks for sharing this
Haha hey man never watched a video of yours in life. But you got my sub. I love that you decided to test the waters and create your own perspective based off what you heard. Thank you for being genuine man.
Isn’t that a breath of fresh air Michael, when you hear something new and it stops you in your tracks and you know you’ll have to slow down to dissect it! Beautiful
I love the breakdown you broke it down to the best of your ability and truly try and understand and I love that
i love how you say the flow Kendrick was following was always there but you couldn’t find it, but when he started rapping again it all made sense to you. that moment alone really captures what i love about music.
"The funk is in the silence". You get it. Haha.
Literally just stumbled on your channel.
If ever you want to get into hip hop/rap, and look into lyrics or music. I would strongly suggest an album like To Pimp a Butterfly. It's the sophomore album (some would say 3rd album) by Kendrick Lamar. It's got a heavy jazz influence within it.
Glad you were introduced, in a sense, to this genre through this song by this artist.
You're in a new place, Mike. I love it. Not my thing, but I'm always open to new tunes. The timing is defo different...but DAMN. It's on point. It's just something different to what us trad guys know. I've never seen you struggle like this. It's good, man. You're growing.
It was fun as a guitarist who has been listening to Kendrick to watch another guitarist listen for the first time. His cadence is beautiful. I doubt you wanna do a “series” but if you have time to keep up with this new work, the opening track on Mr. Morale is also a trip.
Watching an obviously inclined musician constantly get tempted to play along, and just stop himself always at the last moment because he keeps hearing something even more interesting, has really deepened my appreciation for this track.