Kendrick Lamar is not my savior. Therefore, he won't disappoint me. He is a man struggling with his life, identity, and doing what's right like we all are. I don't expect anything from him.
Kendrick is a thought provoking artist. His compositions serve as a prompt for the listener. If nothing else, his worked has sparked rich conversatiins and threads on issues related to culture, the state of the art, personal responsibility for the one's self and community, etc. Kendrick's work has less to do with the man himself, as much as what his art inspires us to consider collectively.
FD isn't saying KDot's going to put a disappointing spectacle. He's saying that if you're thinking KDot's gonna do some radical political messaging in it, you're going to be disappointed. (And he's absolutely right)
Idk who is even expecting that tho. Kendrick has never had radical messaging. His tone has always been more about self-confidence and positivity from within. And I don't think that's a bad thing. It's still an overall positive message. I think people just want him to be the savior that he isn't.
And yet FD Signifier also did a video trashing people criticising Kamala Harris and centrists from the left. Which is exactly what he's now doing with Kendrick.
You're not old cos of how you look F.D sir, you're old because you have that ability that all old people have of crushing hopes and dreams of the youth 😭
what revolution would be started by making fun of drake? Makes no sense, most people don't even care that this happened, like rap/hip hop is not even that prevalent in pop culture anymore
@@JaneDoe-ym7de naw dude, most of everyone doesn't care. Its a rap beef. It ain't that serious. That shit is just entertainment my man. Lets be real, aint nobody stopped listening to drake. If a rap battle cant even end a career it sure isn't getting anyone on the street to protest 🤣
@@JaneDoe-ym7de and btw I live and breath rap. Im just not delusional enough to think a rap battle is changing the hearts and minds of people. Im gonna keep listening to both artists, and Im gonna work on a worker revolution without kdots nonexistent help
Meet the Grahams was the surgery to remove the tumor. Not Like Us was the celebration of a successful surgery. Party Die was Kendrick telling us it’s time to start chemo. It was never about the tumor, it was about the cancer.
AND because"the boy" is who he is he thought this whole thing was all about him. Sure, parts of it was but ultimately he was just one tree in the forest that J. Cole may or may not be skipping through as I type 😅
All Kendrick did in his new song is make a commentary on the state of the industry. He echoed many of our sentiments about the state of the culture and rap music in general. We need moments like this in music. We can’t complain in one breathe that everything feels empty and vapid, then turn our noses up at someone whose using their platform to address those issues.
And at the moment, that platform is the biggest in rap. No one topping the interest Kendrick is generating right now, no one. He at the top, and he using that platform to spit truth. I wonder what NOT disappointing us would look like??
It's a strange dichotomy. On one hand you want to push promising influential people toward your cause. On the other hand you don't want to drive a wedge between your positions and people who are at least doing more than 99% do in terms of putting positive ideas in people's heads. Kendrick is not as revolutionary in his political positions as most of us would like, but he could've very easily just been another gangster rapper and black capitalist with no morals. We have to keep in mind that we can be an obstacle to progress by having an all or nothing attitude that largely encourages people to completely avoid our positions. What's ideal isn't always what's practical. Kendrick can at least be a bridge that encourages more artists to create more positive music, and I think ultimately that's a win for mainstream hip hop.
@@akiret3113 exactly. What more is he supposed to do? They say they are disappointed but will be tuned into superbowl. It’s getting boring at this stage. First they complain about the current brain rot in rap, then someone comes along to address that and it’s still not enough. I don’t want to be locked into the cycle of never being satisfied
@@F-N-Z-01 Kendrick is full of himself I was done with him after he let that European lady say the N word at his show and gave her the mic and then he cosplayed as Jesus with the fake blood on him
@@RyomenAyeni225 nah he clearly plays into it, "to nipsey's killer i forgive you" while also saying hes not a savior to disolve himself from accountability. watch how thats gonna be ur guys excuse when he does some capitalistic crap in his half time show
An artist is just normal a person who makes good art. I think you can maybe expect them to not be TERRIBLE, they might do some good stuff, they're just normal though, can't be surprised
We got to remember that Kendrick let go his savior complex at the end of Mr. Moral _"I choose me, I'm sorry"._ I highly doubt he's going to do some crazy activitism
@@relicreturns sometimes the most effective way to spread word against the industry is to utilize it when given the opportunity. Very few revolutions are born from scratch.
@@80s_graffiti I mean yeah... or just calm down on the preaching and enjoy the moment, you won the beef. Got the big show. Just put on a good show. If you arent a saviour, why are you trying so hard to be one.
“I’m hearing the comments the critics are calling me conscious but truthfully every shooter be calling me Compton, so truthfully only calling me Kweli and Common? Proves that ignorance is bliss” - Kendrick Lamar
@@Ismael-kc3ry Can you explain why its intentionally ironic. Would it be OK Islamic imagery at one of his shows as long as he was being "intentionally ironic"
Your stance on the American flag surprises me. Since his major label debut, Kendrick has provided personal and consistent themes of patriotism. We tend to confuse criticism with contempt - which, in Lamar’s case, can be easy to do for the average listener. Having said that, if you are a close and avid listener of Kendrick’s albums, the flag backdrop is not a surprise.
We complain that rappers today lack substance. We complain about the perceived excess and debauchry in the industry. Then we have an artist like Kendrick who comes along and at least TRIES to create some semblance of balance; and that’s still not enough. We hold him to standards many of us don’t hold ourselves to. Even if Kendrick wasn’t doing the superbowl the same Black people condemning him for taking that opportunity will be tuned in lol. It’s time to have a breather. Enjoy the art, enjoy the commentary and leave it at that. I for one at least appreciate his attempt to bring some semblance of balance to rap’s current landscape.
Kendrick is my favorite rapper but this rant is irrelevant to everything that FD has been saying. 1. If your rant is about this video then let’s be specific. People are looking for rappers to deliver a radically subversive,fiery, political message. Kendrick touches upon political themes but that isn’t what’s driving his music right now and that’s ok. Just don’t expect him to do it at the superbowl and you won’t be disappointed. 2. No one is complaining that Kendrick isn’t enough. FD certainly isn’t and Kendrick fans are happier than ever. Again, FD is cautioning us to not expect a huge political spectacle from Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show. And honestly, that’s good advice isn’t it?
It’s not like fd doesn’t appreciate Kendrick though he said he loves his music in the video, he just wishes he doesn’t do some stupid shit, not that he does something revolutionary
People who set unreasonable expectations will be disappointed and it will be entirely their fault. Let the man enjoy his moment and let those who enjoy his music enjoy it with him. That show is going to be amazing.
There's a brilliant line in John Martyn's song 'Don't Want to Know' off his 1973 'Solid Air' album. Where the first verse he finishes with "all around the gold is glistening, making sure it keeps me down to size" and the second verse he finishes with "all around the gold is glistening, making sure it keeps me hypnotised". Essentially about how the money is designed to make you feel small and powerless when you don't have it and designed to make you feel surrounded and mesmorised when you do. Both times you're equally held in place by it.
I think just the fact a black man with the care he does for the black community is going to be up there singing songs about black people loving themselves on that big of a stage is enough to make me proud/satisfied 🤷🏿♂️. Nothing extra necessarily needs to be done.
Like when people are so quick to yell "industry plant" despite the fact that there isn't a single successful artist in the history of successful artists that made it without the help and cosign of people in the industry already. Not one.
@@cantu7214it doesn’t have to be that esoteric weird shit, but selling out can easily be defined as just going against your morals or principles to gain an advantage somewhere.
@@saucemandela ok but oftentimes people misunderstand what someone's morals and principles are. They project what they hope the person represents, when in reality, the person's morals and principles are no different than they were from the beginning.
@@Chrisratatain that sense, this is when I would propose another meaning. Sometimes people sell out their morals, and sometimes they instead sell out their community, regardless of their own moral compass.
Exactly. He's going to put on an entertaining show that some of us can relate to. That's all an artists job is. Expecting anything more from him is just a sad way to set oneself up for disappointment
@@CommodoreFluffywhat do you mean? The out of touch, wealthy 50-60 year old dudes complaining that the “kids today are too woke” isn’t great stand-up comedy to you? 😂
Kendrick knows now's the perfect time to do this. Ultimately we've reached the stage where only about half a dozen rappers are going to be big in any substantial way going forward, whereas 5 years ago, it felt like there were about 20 or 30 on that level.
Thank you for bringing up Cop City. Even among my fellow Georgians it feels like talking about the protests has slowly died to the point no one is aware it is still happening. Even the average person is unaware of all the legislation that passed earlier this year around heavy restrictions on bail because they didn’t like we were bailing out protestors that judges deemed could be bailed out. They are almost always furious that it happened but if I didn’t randomly bring up it they would have never known
People forget that as they were boycotting/protesting against the NFL on Kap’s behalf, he kept trying out for a position almost every year. As far as the Superbowl, if you’re looking for Kendrick to make a political statement you’re watching for the wrong reason.
@@userr1225 I disagree, but each to his own I suppose. I personally enjoyed it more than TPAB, which is heresy, I know. Maybe I need to listen to TPAB a few more times.
As a hardcore Kendrick fan I’ve accepted the man’s hypocrisies, it’s just the way of life. I see him more as a philosopher than a political and social figure these days
Philosophy, politics, and society are not mutually exclusive. It's like when you go in to a discord or reddit or whatever and one of the first rules is always "No politics". You cannot discuss life, living and society without politics either being directly or indirectly involved. Same goes for philosophy. Everything is interconnected and entangled. Anyone who avoids that reality, is doing so for selfish reasons in one way or another. Either for money or power or whatever. That's why corporations will pander to public sentiment (the Pepsi Kardashian commercial comes to mind) but in the background they'll fund any politician (overwhelmingly republicans but democrats aren't innocent in that regard either) that will only benefit themselves even at the expense of their very own customers and society as a whole. Always assume someone who is wealthy to fall within that example in one way or another. There's NO such thing as true altruism and anyone (especially someone who is wealthy) who presents themselves as "doing good" is definitely guilty of that behavior. The MORE they present their "good deeds and altruism" the more you can guarantee they're guilty of that. It's like compensating for a tiny penis with a big truck or for terrible actions/behavior by pretending to be religious or righteous.
@@Smokingman25 No one is perfect, you can either talk on the side or be direct. I respect people who are direct, speak your mind.... The amount of people you can change with words is crazy. Let's not play the devil's card. Kendrick makes music for normal people. Of course he'll get rich because his type of music is high on demand. People have put a lot of their hopes on a mortal. He will disappoint you. No one is perfect
Thinking Kendrick is a hotep I feel is the perspective of people who aren’t really fans of his. From what I know is considered hotep ideology, I can’t recall any of that from Kendrick’s music. He’s not hyper pro-black, he doesn’t have any strong adherence to responsibility politics, doesn’t drown us to death with talk about the white this, the white man that, he’s not preachy. I feel like that perception of him came from TPAB where some people who never really listened to it think it’s some black power album, when it’s really how Kendrick deals with his own experience as a black man in America. I never get a preachy vibe from him at all. It’s always personal. Also, duality has always been a theme in his music. It’s obviously an inner conflict within himself (and in all of us).
The sad part is even if he was preachy people are quick to have a problem with that but they can listen to an entire album with every track rapping about drugs sex and violence and won't complain at all
Kendrick is the black man who has lived the black experience and basically tells you ,he then says what he holds dear to his heart and what he loves and what he will fight and die for.Some people identify with this but most people dont want to look in the mirror .A majority want to live in fantasy not address reality and thing by doing or saying nothing things will get better.If Hip hop is what peole listen to copy follow and change lives ....Then this party needs to end !, burn it to the ground and start again!. Misogynistic rappers, drug and violence words in raps ,isnt art but a way of drumming negativity into the youth and what cultrue is perceived as!! The Industry has allowed being the distributor negativity to be put out about black people women and men ,and that's what our children our future absorbs. HOW CAN WE EVOLVE !!😢
While I hear where you’re coming from, in terms of Dot’s performance at the SB being a kumbyah ass performance, his most recent behavior, at least with this song, seems to be very pointed and angry. Like talking about watching the party die, the eerie and admittedly…violent vocals, it just wouldn’t make sense to go from that to then be like “hey everything’s gonna be okay and we’re all one tribe!” Dot sounds kind of fed up and I have hope that that translates into something transgressive come his performance.
meet the grahams to NLU wasnt a weird tone switch to you? you dont think its odd to use pedophillia and trafficking as a joke in a rap beef? it should be obvious by now his gimmick is fake
@@Z4NKA1 Just because he doesn't always follow the script, it doesn't mean that K. has no idea about what the audience wants. He knew that beating Drake in his "own arena" aka the numbers game would seal his victory. And he could only do that with an easy to listen record. As amazing as MTG is ain't nobody playing it in the clubs.
My genuine interpretation of the giant American flag at first was “the superbowl is a big American event, therefore American flag” and that was it EDIT: not excusing Kendrick or the American flag as a symbol from criticism, just admitting that it was a very neutral thing for me before I started thinking about it
@@BoitumeloMarumo-tq4ioit's not necessarily the flag itself-or maybe to some it is-but rather what it represents. Basically a symbol of colonialism, imperialism, exploitation, etc all under the veneer of "one nation*" that asterisk is intentional btw iykyk
Note: Most leftist rappers eventually leave the industry, for the most part. From Lupe to Andre. From Mos Def to Q-Tip. The game is not made for the ideology and those who truly hold some bit of it dear. You stay too long and you end up becoming Killer Mike.
Lupe just didn't leave the industry by choice. His record label screwed him over. He talks very highly of TDE probably because they allow you to be creative and do your own thing. If he had the same chance as Kendrick he would have taken it. He just didn't get the chance.
Hip hop is not black and white and a lot of people leaning on the political subject are struggling to draw the line between Kendrick's beliefs. There is a good reason he stays away from people. Lot of you are contagious. Hip hop is everything.
I really appreciate you front-loading the extremely algorithm-friendly video with an invitation to do real street level work. I'd love more popular creators on this platform to do that.
Bruh you came w this right one time. I have 3 12hr overnight shifts this weekend and 😮💨 you r giving me the life I need to get thru tonight. And probably more. Hell yeah dude. You’re quickly becoming one of my favorite people to listen to speak.
FD, just a movie nerd here to talk about the Patton speech for a sec The opening speech was meant to be ironic. Not from Patton's POV, but from the writer of the movie, Francis Ford Coppola. He's a guy who's always been pretty critical of America, right after Patton he went and made The Godfather, the whole point of which is to put the mafia and capitalism right next to each other and basically play a spot-the-differences game. (They're the same picture) The whole opening speech was turning up Patton's jingoistic attitude to the max, and him talking about how America can never lose a war, but the audience was watching it in 1970, when America was in the middle of losing a war in Vietnam. When Patton is saying "you don't win a war by dying for your country, you win the war by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" the only real logical thought to have as a moviegoer in 1970 would be "How's that strategy working out for us in Vietnam?" Most of the movie is pretty straight down the line bio-pic stuff because Coppola took the writing job for the money, but that opening scene was definitely him putting in his own two cents, I think. What this means for Kendrick's usage of the symbolism there, I don't know
Mafias are a perfect example of capitalism, because that’s actually what they are, they are a capital driven entity that prioritizes gains over anything else, including rules, laws, lives, sustainable growth, demand, health, etc. they are concerned with only the logic of profit and will murder their rivals if that means reducing risks of losing market shares and thus more profit.
I get the wariness but I also find it hard to believe someone who would do a coopted substance-less halftime show, would also drop that Instagram song basically the day after he was announced for it
@yTV-x6q Hot take, but I think Kendrick doesn't even have diss Drake anymore by playing NLU He solo-headlining at the SuperBowl is more than enough, and if he follows the patterns of his pop out concert and NTU vid, all he has to do is empower the people and community that cares about hip hop.
I don't think him censoring himself changes the power of his music. You still know what he's saying & the original message. You still understand what it means
FD himself censor his videos on youtube to get paid and reach a bigger audience lmao like how are you criticizing Kendrick when you're doing the same shit
9:25 the fact that ppl heard it as a Drake diss speaks volumes and exposes what a lot of people assume Drakes values and impact on the culture and the public at large to be. The fact that much of the topics and critiques in the songs can easily be applied to Drake is why many people misheard this song as another diss.
Won't disappoint me, I don't see him as a savior or renegade. He's an artists who makes music with generally better messages than most. The hope, though it's damn near subterranean level of hope, is that more follow suit and we can get more variety of messaging in hip hop. Also, having more talented artists start to climb to the top more frequently would be hopeful as well. I just want better gatekeepers basically. Also, Kdot's censoring himself wouldn't be any different that Signifier posting youtube videos where he censors himself in order to funnel viewers to his paid content off of youtube.
Exactly. It's not the revolutionary change we want, but even incremental change is better than falling further down the rabbit hole of degenerate clout chasing that is tarnishing rap culture right now. It's not necessarily about Kendrick overhauling rap singlehandedly, but moreso his success and presence and the praise he's getting incentivizing newer generations to adopt more positive messaging. It's nice to have a mainstream hip hop act that doesn't solely operate off of selling the black gangster image to white people. If we get a wave of more conscious mainstream rap artists I see it as a big win for rap music going forward.
I really appreciate your knowledge and perspective. I’m an outsider trying to educate myself, and even though I was rooting for Kendrick from day one, it’s important to consider all angles. It gives a fuller picture.Thank you!
If people are expecting K-Dot to be on an activist vibe at the Superbowl, they haven't been listening. He literally said, "Kendrick made you think about it, but he is not your saviour." Stop putting that on him.
His last post on his Instagram burner account says a lot about how he was feeling before the battle. I also believe he responds based on how he’s feeling at the moment.
Thank you for your comment. It’s so exhausting reading and hearing the expectations placed on that man - like nothing is ever good enough. Whether he should be performing at all, what is he going to perform, who is he going to bring out? Just let that man have his moment.
@@ZiyadDyingtricycle in what way he does? he just makes music. he never claimed or did anything outside of being an artist. sure, like any good art, his art reflects a lot of topics but it has nothing to do with actual political activism - something Kendrick never did or claimed to do
tbh I'd hope kendrick defy all superbowl rules, and do something great. That's something I'd hope he do. He really will be immortalized for better or worse during the superbowl. The song sounds like a funeral or some world burning away.
Anyone can disappoint you, but Kendrick may just be doing what you do, F.D. Censor yourself to an extent on the bigger platform in order to get a larger audience on the platform you feel freer to speak. In your case that's Curiosity Stream, in Dot's place it's "Alright" and perhaps this new album. You of all people should get that.
@@Shadowhunter420 The entire thing. Which is why I can add this extra point. Why the hell is FD assuming Kendrick should make some grand political statement? Where in his music do we get this idea that he would?
Kendrick won't disappoint me. Why because I don't worship celebrities. Thus when they do something bad or not do something they should I am not disappointed by them. People need to stop this hero worship. All people are flawed.
Best comment yet. If you’re looking at other humans to be your moral compass you’re already lost. I’m just looking forward to a great halftime performance
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas alright then he shouldn’t act as if he’s pro black, he literally doesn’t have to make any statement, but we’re worried he might.
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas why we’re acting as if he said anything yet😭 He literally doesn’t have to say anything, there is still many months left it’s not as if it’s already happened
When I was a teenager I remember seen guys in their 40s walking around with rock and metal band t-shirts. Now the 40-year-olds are walking around dressing in Tupac's and Biggies' shirts.
Okay... I'm about to blow your mind here. Many of the 40 year olds was bumpin Tupac and Biggie in their teens (and early twenties/in their college years) back when they were both STILL ALIVE. It's not that odd that they're wearing the shirts now. Js.
@@thomaswright17 Is that what the previous comments were about? Because the comment below it seemed to discount the ages of those who have been into Hip Hop since teen years during Pac and Biggie's actual career. And the third comment was another dude reminding that grandpas are the original Hip Hop heads, which is totally TRUE. In fact, if Tupac and Biggie wasn't taken from the world too soon, both would be granpas today (53 and 52 respectfully), the same age as Snoop... who's also a grandpa, btw. But I apologize if that was what the original comment meant, noting that the generation is now unc age (as well as mine). As well as the second one about wearing cardi shirts. My b. I just didn't want grandpa above me to feel like anyone was pushing him out and I had his back. 🙏
Thaaaank you, i don't even watch football but even i had a passive thought in my head about the SB being in New Orleans multiple times in recent decades. Why would THIS time be the one Wayne was destined for?
It’s time for us to be adults. Stop projecting ideas of perfection onto Kendrick. He’s an artist and entertainer. He has used his art at times to speak to and address his people, like many other Black artist have in the past. However, he alone is not going to fix all the issues in his community. If you look at him through the lens of him being someone who makes commentary on where the world is at you’ll find it easier to come to terms with him being just like you and I. He is not your saviour.
People are just too desperate for a savior. I can understand why, but it's an unfair expectation for anyone. I wish people were more willing to appreciate that someone who could've easily spent his career selling black trauma to the masses by playing the gangster rap image chose to promote a more positive message. Kendrick gets more hate for doing what he's doing than other artists do for just promoting the gangster rap image. And then we wonder why so many just don't bother with trying to make more positive music.
@@ZiyadDyingtricycleKumbaya? I'm not sure why some people feel the need to police what a grown up person would do. If we are afraid Kendrick won't do it maybe we should put together a team and do it. He has done more to represent a black person than a lot of us and we still need more. Maybe wes should help him.... Instead of putting him on a pedestal
Not sure if you’re going to see this but Was really shocked that he said yes. For a lot of reasons. But this image of Kendrick standing in front of that ginormous flag, tossing footballs, reminds you how beautiful our flag is truly is. For a moment it doesn’t feel menacing like when protesters march around with their torches waving the flag, or in front of homes in segregated communities staking claim in front of their home, signaling who they are, “outsiders not welcomed”. Because it can feel that way, especially in some neighborhoods/communities. Not sure what display of art he will create for that day, because Kendrick, I’m sure like some, but not many, truly creates art, he does it for himself and the people. But that 1 minute and 16 second video, for me, screamed: “I am you, you are me. You will not treat me any differently.” And I wouldn’t doubt he’s thinking, “because if you do, just like you, I am a force to be reckoned with. I am an American.” But that’s just me. 😆
Kendrick always gave me the vibe that he really just wants the rawness of rap back but without the trauma attatched lol. I think that mindfulness gets him in that kinda hotep category with how he navigates his raps. I would love a good moment with Kendrick on that stage but I know he understands his limits also, he's definitely a slow burn. I hope his strategy is to get in the mix, make small waves, then disrupt the system within, I hope he's just making sure he's all the way in first. haha.
What if he doesn't want to change the industry, but just inspire people to step their game up? Kind of like how Tupac said he doesn't want to change the world, but he's going to inspire the next generation of minds that will... Significant change is definitely a slow burn and takes generations of good work
Bro...it's every other album with K. Dot....He experiments...he gets his hardcore audience...then he experiments some more....then he comes back for his core...it's his cycle...he's smart
Im not expecting him to do some kind of revolutionary halftime show where he shits on the establishment or anything. But i do think its a win for the perception of hip hop broadly to have an artist with a more clean cut image and a catalogue full of more positive and uplifting messaging. It'll be significantly more difficult for guys like Ben Shapiro to do his racist "look at his criminal record" thing on Kendrick. Even though I'd like to see a more powerful stance from him than i expect, i do think he is still the best mainstream representation of hip hop that you could get on a national stage, and that's a silver lining.
Another way of viewing this performance is that a rapper is headlining the halftime show for the first time EVER! A genre that many have said is in decline; both in quality and sales. Yet, the genre has been given an opportunity to be centred on one of the largest platforms in the world. Who better at this time to take that opportunity other than Kendrick? He gives great live performances and with PG Lang directing that’s also a huge opportunity for Dave Free. If you love rap this should be a moment you enjoy.
This is the problem with mass media: the only people making stuff that we listen to are rich beyond believe. People like FD invested in hiphop (or other media) gotta start starting conversations about small/local artists or this is literally guaranteed. Mass media isn’t the only way, we don't all need to be listening to the same 20 artists
I’m not going to be disappointed at all because I’m not looking at Kendrick as anything but a man trying to do what he feels in his heart is right. Where when everyone else is sitting idly by just watching he’s saying he won’t and we shouldn’t either. I don’t have him on a pedestal like that anymore like when I was younger. He’s a common man trying to find God and making mistakes along the way whose heart is for the people. As a man I can only respect him as such. Whether he goes down the path we think he should or not..I respect him for even caring enough to say and do something about the state of culture rn and pleading with us to do the same.
How many ppl were negatively influenced BY NWA & gangster rap in general only to find it they was acting or selling you an idea then masking by saying we street reporters.
I have always felt that Kendrick is playing by the rules of the industry until he reaches a point where he can change it. I'm not sure where he is in the journey though. Surely, as an artist he has his priorities and moods and when everything comes together, once in a while, we may get something that shakes things up.
American flag is used ironically in media all the time. And people act like they never seen it before. Beyonce literally had a song called America Has A Problem with the flag on the cover
Kaepernick has been trying to get back into the league for years. Why is it a problem for artists to perform the halftime show? These guys expecting Dot to be their version of perfectly radical is crazy. The guy is human and he's gonna move in the space he's in, accordingly.
I'm a real Kendrick fan. While everyone is criticizing him, I don’t forget that he is his own lane and a singular voice. I don’t see any conscious YT'ers calling out 'the small hats.' But we're holding Kendrick to the highest of standards. No mention of the work he had to do, or the chances he had to take to get there. Every channel is 'poor Wayne' the legend, and I'm hearing no clear support for Kendrick, no pushback on the reigning narrative on social media. Where are Kendrick's real fans?😢 Our message to him is: I expect you to disappoint us. Ok. Noted.
I (white woman) remember seeing Lupe Fiasco's "Bitch Bad" music video and then reading Tricia Rose's book The Hip Hop Wars and feeling completely blown away by the commodification/commercialization of hip hop that you're talking about here. I hadn't had a clue about any of the forces at play when I was growing up and hearing it on top 40 radio - glad to be in the know now, but disheartened to see how nothing has really changed lol
Thank You, FD, finally someone speaking about how the NFL hired RocNation to help heal their image in Urban and POC communities and Kendrick who stood with Kap against them doing this is weird and I’m not a Drake Stan I listen to KDot way more
So why do you feel the need to say you're not a Drake stan? Weird caveats...Like if you are a fan of not it's okay to have a different opinion on something.
Let The Party Die is the beginning of the schism among us newer Kendrick fans like myself between who’s here for his genuine musical talent and who’s a tourist who just enjoyed the blood sport of shitting on Drake
People talk about how punk music and hiphop were intertwined during different periods from the communities' proximity in places like LA and NYC. Hearing you talk about the hiphop gold rush reminds me of when I realized that most early punk musicians were art students, folk musicians, and idling middle class kids.
Also, Kendrick literally has a song where Tupac talks about eating the rich, where the whole focus is on how wealth (black capitalism) is used to remove the edge from those motivated to change the unfair system. How turning 30 takes the fight out of you, whether you beat the system or it beats you. They win either way. That makes him quite different from Jay-Z or Killer Mike.
I think that all the points you made about rap and the culture as commodities is a blanket statement for the corportization of art as a whole. Its pretty much widespread to any and all cultures
Kendrick Lamar is not my savior. Therefore, he won't disappoint me. He is a man struggling with his life, identity, and doing what's right like we all are. I don't expect anything from him.
Sounds like you didn't watch the video
Kendrick is a thought provoking artist. His compositions serve as a prompt for the listener. If nothing else, his worked has sparked rich conversatiins and threads on issues related to culture, the state of the art, personal responsibility for the one's self and community, etc. Kendrick's work has less to do with the man himself, as much as what his art inspires us to consider collectively.
@@spacecolon7760 sounds like u didnt listen to mr morale
yeah what he says inspires me but he is just a person with talent navigating the best he can
The cat is out the bag, he is not our savior 🤷♀️
FD isn't saying KDot's going to put a disappointing spectacle. He's saying that if you're thinking KDot's gonna do some radical political messaging in it, you're going to be disappointed. (And he's absolutely right)
Idk who is even expecting that tho. Kendrick has never had radical messaging. His tone has always been more about self-confidence and positivity from within. And I don't think that's a bad thing. It's still an overall positive message. I think people just want him to be the savior that he isn't.
@@Zack-vi7is You beat me to it, the savior-ideal audience is who would be expecting that
And yet FD Signifier also did a video trashing people criticising Kamala Harris and centrists from the left.
Which is exactly what he's now doing with Kendrick.
@@luckyspursthis isn't even trashing Kendrick. Criticism isn't necessarily denigration
Kendrick has never been political. he speaks on societal issues & uplifting the culture.
You're not old cos of how you look F.D sir, you're old because you have that ability that all old people have of crushing hopes and dreams of the youth 😭
😂😂😂😂
Fun fact: it's also what people mean when they call you an old soul.
I have... personal experience in that regard.
That's why I watch these videos, I need to check my youthful optimism and blissful ignorance every once in a while lol
Wowwww it’s a true statement
The youth ain't listening to kdot
Wait, people really thought Kendrick was going to start a revolution or something? My dudes that is our job
And that's what FD is sayin. Nice to see someone that finally gets it
what revolution would be started by making fun of drake? Makes no sense, most people don't even care that this happened, like rap/hip hop is not even that prevalent in pop culture anymore
@@zwicker5585You don’t get it and are projecting cause YOU don’t care.
@@JaneDoe-ym7de naw dude, most of everyone doesn't care. Its a rap beef. It ain't that serious. That shit is just entertainment my man. Lets be real, aint nobody stopped listening to drake. If a rap battle cant even end a career it sure isn't getting anyone on the street to protest 🤣
@@JaneDoe-ym7de and btw I live and breath rap. Im just not delusional enough to think a rap battle is changing the hearts and minds of people. Im gonna keep listening to both artists, and Im gonna work on a worker revolution without kdots nonexistent help
Meet the Grahams was the surgery to remove the tumor. Not Like Us was the celebration of a successful surgery. Party Die was Kendrick telling us it’s time to start chemo. It was never about the tumor, it was about the cancer.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Okayyyy well said👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥🔥🔥
AND because"the boy" is who he is he thought this whole thing was all about him. Sure, parts of it was but ultimately he was just one tree in the forest that J. Cole may or may not be skipping through as I type 😅
This analogy makes sense, but it’s unpleasant man 😂
🔥🔥🔥🔥
i think if kendrick does some beyonce in the black panther fit shit he is going to release a diss track against himself within 5 months
😂😂😂
I guess we will never know- Kendrick Lamar
"I'm Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar (feat. K. Dot and Kung Fu Kenny)
You lied about your revolution!
Kendrick really might be Beyonce for men
All Kendrick did in his new song is make a commentary on the state of the industry. He echoed many of our sentiments about the state of the culture and rap music in general.
We need moments like this in music. We can’t complain in one breathe that everything feels empty and vapid, then turn our noses up at someone whose using their platform to address those issues.
And at the moment, that platform is the biggest in rap. No one topping the interest Kendrick is generating right now, no one. He at the top, and he using that platform to spit truth. I wonder what NOT disappointing us would look like??
It's a strange dichotomy. On one hand you want to push promising influential people toward your cause. On the other hand you don't want to drive a wedge between your positions and people who are at least doing more than 99% do in terms of putting positive ideas in people's heads. Kendrick is not as revolutionary in his political positions as most of us would like, but he could've very easily just been another gangster rapper and black capitalist with no morals. We have to keep in mind that we can be an obstacle to progress by having an all or nothing attitude that largely encourages people to completely avoid our positions. What's ideal isn't always what's practical. Kendrick can at least be a bridge that encourages more artists to create more positive music, and I think ultimately that's a win for mainstream hip hop.
@@akiret3113 exactly. What more is he supposed to do? They say they are disappointed but will be tuned into superbowl. It’s getting boring at this stage.
First they complain about the current brain rot in rap, then someone comes along to address that and it’s still not enough. I don’t want to be locked into the cycle of never being satisfied
People will always find something to whine and be pessimistic about, I would know as a hella pessimist.
@@F-N-Z-01 Kendrick is full of himself I was done with him after he let that European lady say the N word at his show and gave her the mic and then he cosplayed as Jesus with the fake blood on him
The problem is that people put Kendrick on a pedestal. You shouldn’t put anyone on a pedestal.
Tragic considering Kendrick HIMSELF has been telling us not to put him on a pedestal
@@RyomenAyeni225Thank you!
@@RyomenAyeni225 nah he clearly plays into it, "to nipsey's killer i forgive you" while also saying hes not a savior to disolve himself from accountability. watch how thats gonna be ur guys excuse when he does some capitalistic crap in his half time show
@@RyomenAyeni225yall need to stop Kendrick literally called himself Black Jesus and was dressed up as him in concert two years ago
@@Z4NKA1facts Because I highly Doubt Nipsey would forgive Eric Holder taking him away from his Family
Realizing Kendrick was human despite him saying so through his music all the time is wild. EXPECT NOTHING BUT ENTERTAINMENT FROM YOUR ENTERTAINERS.
Meh, say something original
An artist is just normal a person who makes good art. I think you can maybe expect them to not be TERRIBLE, they might do some good stuff, they're just normal though, can't be surprised
@@billyconnelly3568 Regardless of its redundancy the statement still holds great significance my guy,everyday
@@quayzar_escabar
Try to be less trite. You can do it.
@@billyconnelly3568 my bro, you're not even saying anything. Try again
Expectations are just premature resentments.
TEA 🍵 😮
@@SM-ri5kn damn!!!
We got to remember that Kendrick let go his savior complex at the end of Mr. Moral _"I choose me, I'm sorry"._ I highly doubt he's going to do some crazy activitism
Exactly
This
Agree. But the lectures seem hollow when you book the biggest industry show and then moan about the industry
@@relicreturns sometimes the most effective way to spread word against the industry is to utilize it when given the opportunity. Very few revolutions are born from scratch.
@@80s_graffiti I mean yeah... or just calm down on the preaching and enjoy the moment, you won the beef. Got the big show. Just put on a good show.
If you arent a saviour, why are you trying so hard to be one.
“I’m hearing the comments the critics are calling me conscious but truthfully every shooter be calling me Compton, so truthfully only calling me Kweli and Common? Proves that ignorance is bliss” - Kendrick Lamar
That part
Man
Mans literally couldn’t have said it better hisself
AND HE SAID THIS TO US IN 09!!!
Why dfuck did that line from way back hit me do fuckin hard bro, am fuckin tired of ppl BS narratives,
“Kendrick made you think about it, but he is not your saviour” - Kendrick Lamar
While literally acting and pretending to be yall guy's savior. Pick a lane people 😂
@@tutumazibuko2510 where
@@UndarZcrown of thorns, bleeding crown of thorns, unprovoked attacks on his fellow rappers saying he is number 1 and everyone should rap better
@@relicreturns the crown of thorn imagery is intentionally ironic. And to call the shots unprovoked is hilarious.
@@Ismael-kc3ry Can you explain why its intentionally ironic. Would it be OK Islamic imagery at one of his shows as long as he was being "intentionally ironic"
Who’s back after to tell him he was 100% wrong! GNX a classic
Me
Why click on the video and comment but don't even watch it?
The Lecrae respect I loved cuz Lecrae was such an important part of bringing a more genuine rap to mixed church culture
2 minutes in, and I haven’t heard you say one thing about Eminem.
So DISRESPECTFUL!
Lol
how will this affect eminem’s career!!!!????!!!???? 🙁🙁🙁
"We're gonna have a problem."
Don't you know eminem is all the rap anybody cares about petition for Marshall Mathers lp 3
Thank you for shouting out local elections. Theyre often more important and impactful to individual people than federal ones
Aghhh here come unc with the fist of reality to make us all hate our lives again
Lmao
Ahhaha right
“No fun allowed”
Last real commentator alive....
Fist of Reality is my new band name.
Your stance on the American flag surprises me. Since his major label debut, Kendrick has provided personal and consistent themes of patriotism. We tend to confuse criticism with contempt - which, in Lamar’s case, can be easy to do for the average listener.
Having said that, if you are a close and avid listener of Kendrick’s albums, the flag backdrop is not a surprise.
After Mr.Morale, I don't think Kendrick has any intentions of making a radical statement. He has seemingly shed his savior complex
We complain that rappers today lack substance. We complain about the perceived excess and debauchry in the industry. Then we have an artist like Kendrick who comes along and at least TRIES to create some semblance of balance; and that’s still not enough.
We hold him to standards many of us don’t hold ourselves to. Even if Kendrick wasn’t doing the superbowl the same Black people condemning him for taking that opportunity will be tuned in lol.
It’s time to have a breather. Enjoy the art, enjoy the commentary and leave it at that.
I for one at least appreciate his attempt to bring some semblance of balance to rap’s current landscape.
WELL SAID
Kendrick is my favorite rapper but this rant is irrelevant to everything that FD has been saying.
1. If your rant is about this video then let’s be specific. People are looking for rappers to deliver a radically subversive,fiery, political message. Kendrick touches upon political themes but that isn’t what’s driving his music right now and that’s ok. Just don’t expect him to do it at the superbowl and you won’t be disappointed.
2. No one is complaining that Kendrick isn’t enough. FD certainly isn’t and Kendrick fans are happier than ever. Again, FD is cautioning us to not expect a huge political spectacle from Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show. And honestly, that’s good advice isn’t it?
It’s not like fd doesn’t appreciate Kendrick though he said he loves his music in the video, he just wishes he doesn’t do some stupid shit, not that he does something revolutionary
@@CrowTRobot the fact that you needed to explain it should already tell you that the advice wasnt well transmited
he does not have to perform at the nfl. lol. he can release his music without crossing the picket line.
"I am not your savior"-Kendrick Lamar. If you're disappointed that's on you.
Facts 💯
They want him to be a savior, they are just disappointing themselves at this point
No ones saying that lmao
Yet he presented himself as one
@@Technicalectasy😂
People who set unreasonable expectations will be disappointed and it will be entirely their fault. Let the man enjoy his moment and let those who enjoy his music enjoy it with him. That show is going to be amazing.
Right
They going too deep with this. We should just enjoy the show and only then can we talk about it. After the show.
There's a brilliant line in John Martyn's song 'Don't Want to Know' off his 1973 'Solid Air' album.
Where the first verse he finishes with "all around the gold is glistening, making sure it keeps me down to size" and the second verse he finishes with "all around the gold is glistening, making sure it keeps me hypnotised".
Essentially about how the money is designed to make you feel small and powerless when you don't have it and designed to make you feel surrounded and mesmorised when you do. Both times you're equally held in place by it.
I think just the fact a black man with the care he does for the black community is going to be up there singing songs about black people loving themselves on that big of a stage is enough to make me proud/satisfied 🤷🏿♂️. Nothing extra necessarily needs to be done.
Facts. Don’t nobody wanna hear lollipop while sitting in front of they tv with their kids
@@TheSmokeWatcher so real , wayne would’ve have to cut out every other word of his songs 😂😂😂
The hard truth is one cannot get to a certain level of big without selling out in some ways. It is what it is.
y'all don’t even know what the term "sell out" even means. it's just a buzz word now
Like when people are so quick to yell "industry plant" despite the fact that there isn't a single successful artist in the history of successful artists that made it without the help and cosign of people in the industry already. Not one.
@@cantu7214it doesn’t have to be that esoteric weird shit, but selling out can easily be defined as just going against your morals or principles to gain an advantage somewhere.
@@saucemandela ok but oftentimes people misunderstand what someone's morals and principles are. They project what they hope the person represents, when in reality, the person's morals and principles are no different than they were from the beginning.
@@Chrisratatain that sense, this is when I would propose another meaning. Sometimes people sell out their morals, and sometimes they instead sell out their community, regardless of their own moral compass.
He’s not going to disappoint me because all I want is good music and rap. Haha. Anything else is just extra
If "good music and rap" is reconcilable for you with shitty, soft-headed politics then at least concede that you're a liberal at best, not a radical.
Exactly 🎯
Exactly. He's going to put on an entertaining show that some of us can relate to. That's all an artists job is. Expecting anything more from him is just a sad way to set oneself up for disappointment
it happened to rock, it happened to punk, it happened to hiphop. cest la vie under capitalism.
hell, what's happened to stand up comedy isn't that different.
Everything ruined
Pity GG Allin didn't live long enough to play the superbowl.
@@CommodoreFluffywhat do you mean? The out of touch, wealthy 50-60 year old dudes complaining that the “kids today are too woke” isn’t great stand-up comedy to you? 😂
Kendrick knows now's the perfect time to do this. Ultimately we've reached the stage where only about half a dozen rappers are going to be big in any substantial way going forward, whereas 5 years ago, it felt like there were about 20 or 30 on that level.
Thank you for bringing up Cop City. Even among my fellow Georgians it feels like talking about the protests has slowly died to the point no one is aware it is still happening. Even the average person is unaware of all the legislation that passed earlier this year around heavy restrictions on bail because they didn’t like we were bailing out protestors that judges deemed could be bailed out. They are almost always furious that it happened but if I didn’t randomly bring up it they would have never known
Kendrick fans will literally use Kendrick’s self admission of not being a savior to justify him being _their_ savior 😂
Lisan al gaib!
@@korleyhughes I was going to say muadib haha
People forget that as they were boycotting/protesting against the NFL on Kap’s behalf, he kept trying out for a position almost every year. As far as the Superbowl, if you’re looking for Kendrick to make a political statement you’re watching for the wrong reason.
Facts
Could you expand on your first sentence because I have no idea what you're talking about?
i dont think kendrick will disapoint me cause i dont really have expectations about what he does, every album has been pretty different
Mr. Morale is very different lmao first Kendrick album to be mid asf
@@userr1225 I disagree, but each to his own I suppose. I personally enjoyed it more than TPAB, which is heresy, I know. Maybe I need to listen to TPAB a few more times.
As a hardcore Kendrick fan I’ve accepted the man’s hypocrisies, it’s just the way of life. I see him more as a philosopher than a political and social figure these days
He's always been a gemini, two sides
Philosophy, politics, and society are not mutually exclusive. It's like when you go in to a discord or reddit or whatever and one of the first rules is always "No politics". You cannot discuss life, living and society without politics either being directly or indirectly involved. Same goes for philosophy. Everything is interconnected and entangled. Anyone who avoids that reality, is doing so for selfish reasons in one way or another. Either for money or power or whatever. That's why corporations will pander to public sentiment (the Pepsi Kardashian commercial comes to mind) but in the background they'll fund any politician (overwhelmingly republicans but democrats aren't innocent in that regard either) that will only benefit themselves even at the expense of their very own customers and society as a whole. Always assume someone who is wealthy to fall within that example in one way or another. There's NO such thing as true altruism and anyone (especially someone who is wealthy) who presents themselves as "doing good" is definitely guilty of that behavior. The MORE they present their "good deeds and altruism" the more you can guarantee they're guilty of that. It's like compensating for a tiny penis with a big truck or for terrible actions/behavior by pretending to be religious or righteous.
@@Smokingman25 No one is perfect, you can either talk on the side or be direct.
I respect people who are direct, speak your mind.... The amount of people you can change with words is crazy.
Let's not play the devil's card. Kendrick makes music for normal people. Of course he'll get rich because his type of music is high on demand.
People have put a lot of their hopes on a mortal. He will disappoint you. No one is perfect
A lot of people need to listen to "U" or just Mr.Morale but they are too busy arguing just cuz Kdot keeps winning while maintaining silent.💀
The fact that you ever saw him as this political figure is funny lol.
Thinking Kendrick is a hotep I feel is the perspective of people who aren’t really fans of his. From what I know is considered hotep ideology, I can’t recall any of that from Kendrick’s music. He’s not hyper pro-black, he doesn’t have any strong adherence to responsibility politics, doesn’t drown us to death with talk about the white this, the white man that, he’s not preachy. I feel like that perception of him came from TPAB where some people who never really listened to it think it’s some black power album, when it’s really how Kendrick deals with his own experience as a black man in America. I never get a preachy vibe from him at all. It’s always personal.
Also, duality has always been a theme in his music. It’s obviously an inner conflict within himself (and in all of us).
fd is absolutely a fan lmao
The sad part is even if he was preachy people are quick to have a problem with that but they can listen to an entire album with every track rapping about drugs sex and violence and won't complain at all
Like I keep telling people... Think like a Gemini...
Kendrick is the black man who has lived the black experience and basically tells you ,he then says what he holds dear to his heart and what he loves and what he will fight and die for.Some people identify with this but most people dont want to look in the mirror .A majority want to live in fantasy not address reality and thing by doing or saying nothing things will get better.If Hip hop is what peole listen to copy follow and change lives ....Then this party needs to end !, burn it to the ground and start again!. Misogynistic rappers, drug and violence words in raps ,isnt art but a way of drumming negativity into the youth and what cultrue is perceived as!! The Industry has allowed being the distributor negativity to be put out about black people women and men ,and that's what our children our future absorbs. HOW CAN WE EVOLVE !!😢
he doesn't even fit the bill for being patriarchical and homophobic for a hotep either.
11:26 Reclaiming the flag🤢🤢🤢 LMAOOO Unc was not having that
Bro, it’s the nfl, he probably wants to reach a larger possibly whiter audience and he’ll probably deliver a positive message
Fiq woke up and chose violence with that title
While I hear where you’re coming from, in terms of Dot’s performance at the SB being a kumbyah ass performance, his most recent behavior, at least with this song, seems to be very pointed and angry. Like talking about watching the party die, the eerie and admittedly…violent vocals, it just wouldn’t make sense to go from that to then be like “hey everything’s gonna be okay and we’re all one tribe!” Dot sounds kind of fed up and I have hope that that translates into something transgressive come his performance.
meet the grahams to NLU wasnt a weird tone switch to you? you dont think its odd to use pedophillia and trafficking as a joke in a rap beef? it should be obvious by now his gimmick is fake
@@Z4NKA1 no i dont
@@Z4NKA1 Just because he doesn't always follow the script, it doesn't mean that K. has no idea about what the audience wants. He knew that beating Drake in his "own arena" aka the numbers game would seal his victory. And he could only do that with an easy to listen record. As amazing as MTG is ain't nobody playing it in the clubs.
@@Z4NKA1I don't think he was joking...
@@Rosula_D so you agree its a club record? and you dont think its odd to use that subject matter as a club record?
My genuine interpretation of the giant American flag at first was “the superbowl is a big American event, therefore American flag” and that was it
EDIT: not excusing Kendrick or the American flag as a symbol from criticism, just admitting that it was a very neutral thing for me before I started thinking about it
And Kendric is Amrican. I do not understand the disdain for the flag of your country
That shot is so associated with Patton though, it's hard to imagine Kendrick wouldn't have considered the similarity.
@@luckyspurs never seen the movie
@@BoitumeloMarumo-tq4io it’s associations with American nationalism, imperialism, etc. I do get it even if it didn’t immediately strike me as such
@@BoitumeloMarumo-tq4ioit's not necessarily the flag itself-or maybe to some it is-but rather what it represents. Basically a symbol of colonialism, imperialism, exploitation, etc all under the veneer of "one nation*" that asterisk is intentional btw iykyk
In my opinion kendrick will always be a savior in a musical sense in how he shook up and contributed to the genre
Totally agree
I met Dead Prez years ago and they were very down to earth brothers. Gave them my books in the green room and they accepted them graciously
FD "Kendrick stop playing fore i turn you into a video essay." Signifer
The only Guy who can diss and Dissect kendrick efficiently 😂😂😂😂
Note: Most leftist rappers eventually leave the industry, for the most part.
From Lupe to Andre. From Mos Def to Q-Tip.
The game is not made for the ideology and those who truly hold some bit of it dear. You stay too long and you end up becoming Killer Mike.
Keep the political Left Right stuff outside this Hip Hop culture.
@@CW043Hip-Hop is political. From N.W.A to Kendrick.
@@CW043An example of ignorance in ALL its forms.
Lupe just didn't leave the industry by choice. His record label screwed him over. He talks very highly of TDE probably because they allow you to be creative and do your own thing. If he had the same chance as Kendrick he would have taken it. He just didn't get the chance.
Hip hop is not black and white and a lot of people leaning on the political subject are struggling to draw the line between Kendrick's beliefs.
There is a good reason he stays away from people. Lot of you are contagious. Hip hop is everything.
I really appreciate you front-loading the extremely algorithm-friendly video with an invitation to do real street level work. I'd love more popular creators on this platform to do that.
Bruh you came w this right one time. I have 3 12hr overnight shifts this weekend and 😮💨 you r giving me the life I need to get thru tonight. And probably more. Hell yeah dude.
You’re quickly becoming one of my favorite people to listen to speak.
FD, just a movie nerd here to talk about the Patton speech for a sec
The opening speech was meant to be ironic. Not from Patton's POV, but from the writer of the movie, Francis Ford Coppola. He's a guy who's always been pretty critical of America, right after Patton he went and made The Godfather, the whole point of which is to put the mafia and capitalism right next to each other and basically play a spot-the-differences game. (They're the same picture)
The whole opening speech was turning up Patton's jingoistic attitude to the max, and him talking about how America can never lose a war, but the audience was watching it in 1970, when America was in the middle of losing a war in Vietnam. When Patton is saying "you don't win a war by dying for your country, you win the war by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" the only real logical thought to have as a moviegoer in 1970 would be "How's that strategy working out for us in Vietnam?"
Most of the movie is pretty straight down the line bio-pic stuff because Coppola took the writing job for the money, but that opening scene was definitely him putting in his own two cents, I think. What this means for Kendrick's usage of the symbolism there, I don't know
Mafias are a perfect example of capitalism, because that’s actually what they are, they are a capital driven entity that prioritizes gains over anything else, including rules, laws, lives, sustainable growth, demand, health, etc. they are concerned with only the logic of profit and will murder their rivals if that means reducing risks of losing market shares and thus more profit.
The title is going to get so many Kendrick fans commenting before they even watch the video
Same, wish I could be a fan of dark killer too.
correct, im about to do this :)
Look, I was ready to throw my phone 😂
I watched the live so I already knew where he was coming from
Already unsubscribed. Another win for drake ❤🎉
I get the wariness but I also find it hard to believe someone who would do a coopted substance-less halftime show, would also drop that Instagram song basically the day after he was announced for it
I hope ur right
Ooohh I never thought of it that way. Here's hoping 🤞
@@signifiedbsides1129Praying UNC fumbles the prediction don't need another sell out 😭
True but he gone play Not like us 4 or 6 x , it gone be epic and exhausting.
@yTV-x6q Hot take, but I think Kendrick doesn't even have diss Drake anymore by playing NLU
He solo-headlining at the SuperBowl is more than enough, and if he follows the patterns of his pop out concert and NTU vid, all he has to do is empower the people and community that cares about hip hop.
Lupe outed himself with hotep tendencies with "Bitch Bad".
Idk how unc hasn't seen that Lupe has some of the most socially conservative views in "conscious" hip hop lol
Old ass song tho
I really respect your opening. Since you had their attention you let them know what REALLY mattered 🔥🔥🙏🏿🙏🏿
In all fairness, Kendrick censors himself when he performs for certain audiences. The music is still powerful.
I don't think him censoring himself changes the power of his music. You still know what he's saying & the original message. You still understand what it means
@@neotheboxer exactly. He doesn’t allow his music to be high jacked
FD himself censor his videos on youtube to get paid and reach a bigger audience lmao like how are you criticizing Kendrick when you're doing the same shit
9:25 the fact that ppl heard it as a Drake diss speaks volumes and exposes what a lot of people assume Drakes values and impact on the culture and the public at large to be. The fact that much of the topics and critiques in the songs can easily be applied to Drake is why many people misheard this song as another diss.
Won't disappoint me, I don't see him as a savior or renegade. He's an artists who makes music with generally better messages than most. The hope, though it's damn near subterranean level of hope, is that more follow suit and we can get more variety of messaging in hip hop. Also, having more talented artists start to climb to the top more frequently would be hopeful as well. I just want better gatekeepers basically.
Also, Kdot's censoring himself wouldn't be any different that Signifier posting youtube videos where he censors himself in order to funnel viewers to his paid content off of youtube.
Exactly. It's not the revolutionary change we want, but even incremental change is better than falling further down the rabbit hole of degenerate clout chasing that is tarnishing rap culture right now. It's not necessarily about Kendrick overhauling rap singlehandedly, but moreso his success and presence and the praise he's getting incentivizing newer generations to adopt more positive messaging. It's nice to have a mainstream hip hop act that doesn't solely operate off of selling the black gangster image to white people. If we get a wave of more conscious mainstream rap artists I see it as a big win for rap music going forward.
Healthy
Exactly!
@@temujinkhan4314 how are those remotely the same thing bro
@@ZiyadDyingtricycle If you can't understand how they're the same, I don't know what to tell you. It's obvious.
I’m just happy that Kendrick is showing the importance of artists actually expressing themselves in making music.
I really appreciate your knowledge and perspective. I’m an outsider trying to educate myself, and even though I was rooting for Kendrick from day one, it’s important to consider all angles. It gives a fuller picture.Thank you!
If people are expecting K-Dot to be on an activist vibe at the Superbowl, they haven't been listening. He literally said, "Kendrick made you think about it, but he is not your saviour." Stop putting that on him.
Wait, I thought he was trying to free the slaves? 😂
His last post on his Instagram burner account says a lot about how he was feeling before the battle. I also believe he responds based on how he’s feeling at the moment.
@Onlinerando😂, this take just might be valid. I had similar sentiments just lacked the words. The self shadow boxing thing might be real
@@blackconfucius888 goofy
Thank you for your comment. It’s so exhausting reading and hearing the expectations placed on that man - like nothing is ever good enough. Whether he should be performing at all, what is he going to perform, who is he going to bring out? Just let that man have his moment.
At the end of the day, the man is an entertainer, not a revolutionary.
Exactly
@@TryingIGuess then stop acting like a revolutionary
@@ZiyadDyingtricycle in what way he does? he just makes music. he never claimed or did anything outside of being an artist. sure, like any good art, his art reflects a lot of topics but it has nothing to do with actual political activism - something Kendrick never did or claimed to do
tbh I'd hope kendrick defy all superbowl rules, and do something great.
That's something I'd hope he do.
He really will be immortalized for better or worse during the superbowl.
The song sounds like a funeral or some world burning away.
Kendrick is cleaning up his own industry. Clean up your own.
Anyone can disappoint you, but Kendrick may just be doing what you do, F.D. Censor yourself to an extent on the bigger platform in order to get a larger audience on the platform you feel freer to speak. In your case that's Curiosity Stream, in Dot's place it's "Alright" and perhaps this new album. You of all people should get that.
Did you watch the video
@@Shadowhunter420 The entire thing.
Which is why I can add this extra point. Why the hell is FD assuming Kendrick should make some grand political statement? Where in his music do we get this idea that he would?
saying "I hope there's a long term storytelling thing going on here." when talking about kendrick lamar is crazy LOL
Kendrick won't disappoint me. Why because I don't worship celebrities. Thus when they do something bad or not do something they should I am not disappointed by them. People need to stop this hero worship. All people are flawed.
Best comment yet. If you’re looking at other humans to be your moral compass you’re already lost. I’m just looking forward to a great halftime performance
@@Sasha-vb3mh I am an atheist. I don't look towards some work of fiction for my moral compass which was created by a person.
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas alright then he shouldn’t act as if he’s pro black, he literally doesn’t have to make any statement, but we’re worried he might.
@@ZiyadDyingtricycle he is pro black. But no one is prefect.
Do you think that someone who is pro gay rights always says the right thing?
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas why we’re acting as if he said anything yet😭
He literally doesn’t have to say anything, there is still many months left it’s not as if it’s already happened
When I was a teenager I remember seen guys in their 40s walking around with rock and metal band t-shirts. Now the 40-year-olds are walking around dressing in Tupac's and Biggies' shirts.
Next they'll have carti on a t shirt and I'm scared of that 💀
40s is too young, there are dudes in their 60s that listened to rap in the 1980s.
Hiphop is a grandpa thing too
Okay... I'm about to blow your mind here. Many of the 40 year olds was bumpin Tupac and Biggie in their teens (and early twenties/in their college years) back when they were both STILL ALIVE. It's not that odd that they're wearing the shirts now. Js.
@@parallelmoon80thats what he's saying, that generation is now unc status
@@thomaswright17 Is that what the previous comments were about? Because the comment below it seemed to discount the ages of those who have been into Hip Hop since teen years during Pac and Biggie's actual career. And the third comment was another dude reminding that grandpas are the original Hip Hop heads, which is totally TRUE. In fact, if Tupac and Biggie wasn't taken from the world too soon, both would be granpas today (53 and 52 respectfully), the same age as Snoop... who's also a grandpa, btw. But I apologize if that was what the original comment meant, noting that the generation is now unc age (as well as mine). As well as the second one about wearing cardi shirts. My b. I just didn't want grandpa above me to feel like anyone was pushing him out and I had his back. 🙏
I think this is the first time I’ve caught a video within hours of its posting. My favorite content creator. Thanks for your work FD.
Bob the Drag Queen gave FD a shout out this week and I haven't been able to stop daydreaming of a collab since haha
Thaaaank you, i don't even watch football but even i had a passive thought in my head about the SB being in New Orleans multiple times in recent decades. Why would THIS time be the one Wayne was destined for?
It’s time for us to be adults. Stop projecting ideas of perfection onto Kendrick. He’s an artist and entertainer. He has used his art at times to speak to and address his people, like many other Black artist have in the past.
However, he alone is not going to fix all the issues in his community. If you look at him through the lens of him being someone who makes commentary on where the world is at you’ll find it easier to come to terms with him being just like you and I. He is not your saviour.
People are just too desperate for a savior. I can understand why, but it's an unfair expectation for anyone. I wish people were more willing to appreciate that someone who could've easily spent his career selling black trauma to the masses by playing the gangster rap image chose to promote a more positive message. Kendrick gets more hate for doing what he's doing than other artists do for just promoting the gangster rap image. And then we wonder why so many just don't bother with trying to make more positive music.
No one is hoping for a savior, he just hoping Kendrick doesn’t do some kumbaya shit, watch the video.
@@ZiyadDyingtricycleKumbaya? I'm not sure why some people feel the need to police what a grown up person would do.
If we are afraid Kendrick won't do it maybe we should put together a team and do it.
He has done more to represent a black person than a lot of us and we still need more. Maybe wes should help him.... Instead of putting him on a pedestal
Exactly
What's crazy is. I've NEVER heard or seen someone treat him like this .....only Kendrick haters feel this way
All Kendrick Gotta Do Is Be Himself
Not sure if you’re going to see this but
Was really shocked that he said yes. For a lot of reasons.
But this image of Kendrick standing in front of that ginormous flag, tossing footballs, reminds you how beautiful our flag is truly is.
For a moment it doesn’t feel menacing like when protesters march around with their torches waving the flag, or in front of homes in segregated communities staking claim in front of their home, signaling who they are, “outsiders not welcomed”. Because it can feel that way, especially in some neighborhoods/communities.
Not sure what display of art he will create for that day, because Kendrick, I’m sure like some, but not many, truly creates art, he does it for himself and the people.
But that 1 minute and 16 second video, for me, screamed:
“I am you, you are me.
You will not treat me any differently.”
And I wouldn’t doubt he’s thinking,
“because if you do, just like you, I am a force to be reckoned with. I am an American.”
But that’s just me. 😆
If you never have any expectations than you will never be disappointed ;)
0:00 didn’t mention Eminem in the first 10 seconds, I think Unc is part of the party 😤
Kendrick always gave me the vibe that he really just wants the rawness of rap back but without the trauma attatched lol. I think that mindfulness gets him in that kinda hotep category with how he navigates his raps. I would love a good moment with Kendrick on that stage but I know he understands his limits also, he's definitely a slow burn. I hope his strategy is to get in the mix, make small waves, then disrupt the system within, I hope he's just making sure he's all the way in first. haha.
What if he doesn't want to change the industry, but just inspire people to step their game up? Kind of like how Tupac said he doesn't want to change the world, but he's going to inspire the next generation of minds that will... Significant change is definitely a slow burn and takes generations of good work
Bro...it's every other album with K. Dot....He experiments...he gets his hardcore audience...then he experiments some more....then he comes back for his core...it's his cycle...he's smart
Only thing I expect is a solid performance, some pageantry, and hopefully a good football game.
god damn man. you are always blowing my mind with these culture talks. love the channel.
Im not expecting him to do some kind of revolutionary halftime show where he shits on the establishment or anything. But i do think its a win for the perception of hip hop broadly to have an artist with a more clean cut image and a catalogue full of more positive and uplifting messaging. It'll be significantly more difficult for guys like Ben Shapiro to do his racist "look at his criminal record" thing on Kendrick. Even though I'd like to see a more powerful stance from him than i expect, i do think he is still the best mainstream representation of hip hop that you could get on a national stage, and that's a silver lining.
Eminem time stamp 22:35
Oh hell no😂
@@cortezbome7687 🤣
Another way of viewing this performance is that a rapper is headlining the halftime show for the first time EVER! A genre that many have said is in decline; both in quality and sales. Yet, the genre has been given an opportunity to be centred on one of the largest platforms in the world.
Who better at this time to take that opportunity other than Kendrick? He gives great live performances and with PG Lang directing that’s also a huge opportunity for Dave Free.
If you love rap this should be a moment you enjoy.
I get you, but he's not the first rapper to headline the super bowl.
@@Viggles04 Yes he is. The first to headline solo. Dr Dre co headlined with his peers.
This is the problem with mass media: the only people making stuff that we listen to are rich beyond believe. People like FD invested in hiphop (or other media) gotta start starting conversations about small/local artists or this is literally guaranteed. Mass media isn’t the only way, we don't all need to be listening to the same 20 artists
I’m not going to be disappointed at all because I’m not looking at Kendrick as anything but a man trying to do what he feels in his heart is right. Where when everyone else is sitting idly by just watching he’s saying he won’t and we shouldn’t either.
I don’t have him on a pedestal like that anymore like when I was younger. He’s a common man trying to find God and making mistakes along the way whose heart is for the people. As a man I can only respect him as such. Whether he goes down the path we think he should or not..I respect him for even caring enough to say and do something about the state of culture rn and pleading with us to do the same.
I knew this was coming. For sure. Well let’s hear Unc rain on the “party” 😂
LIVESTREAM LIGHT WORKS ARE BACK YES LAWD
How many ppl were negatively influenced BY NWA & gangster rap in general only to find it they was acting or selling you an idea then masking by saying we street reporters.
Kaep DEFINITELY DID NOT “move on”. He still wants to play NFL football.
I have always felt that Kendrick is playing by the rules of the industry until he reaches a point where he can change it. I'm not sure where he is in the journey though. Surely, as an artist he has his priorities and moods and when everything comes together, once in a while, we may get something that shakes things up.
Good Kid Maad City, should have told everyone what time Kendrick was on.
American flag is used ironically in media all the time. And people act like they never seen it before.
Beyonce literally had a song called America Has A Problem with the flag on the cover
And Kendrick is on the remix of AHAP as well
@@AngeBiampandou fire verse ngl
Exactly, Kendrick had a *huge* flag behind him while he performed at the 2015 BET Awards. I don't know why people are acting brand new.
Kaepernick has been trying to get back into the league for years. Why is it a problem for artists to perform the halftime show?
These guys expecting Dot to be their version of perfectly radical is crazy. The guy is human and he's gonna move in the space he's in, accordingly.
Kendrick has been pretty solid I don't believe he'll compromise himself too much. I believe he'll do the right thing when he gets on that stage.
I have been waiting for a Dead Prez video for years! I feel like no one talks about them and they’re music is still so relevant
“Shout out to all 5 of yall”
Im crying 🤣🤣🤣
Texas citizen here thanks bro… i have to re register myself and wouldn’t have known if you didn’t put this out.
I'm a real Kendrick fan. While everyone is criticizing him, I don’t forget that he is his own lane and a singular voice. I don’t see any conscious YT'ers calling out 'the small hats.' But we're holding Kendrick to the highest of standards. No mention of the work he had to do, or the chances he had to take to get there. Every channel is 'poor Wayne' the legend, and I'm hearing no clear support for Kendrick, no pushback on the reigning narrative on social media. Where are Kendrick's real fans?😢 Our message to him is: I expect you to disappoint us. Ok. Noted.
I (white woman) remember seeing Lupe Fiasco's "Bitch Bad" music video and then reading Tricia Rose's book The Hip Hop Wars and feeling completely blown away by the commodification/commercialization of hip hop that you're talking about here. I hadn't had a clue about any of the forces at play when I was growing up and hearing it on top 40 radio - glad to be in the know now, but disheartened to see how nothing has really changed lol
The similarities between gold rush and hiphop is actually a fascinating concept to think about.
I almost clicked off this video .. taking forever to get to it 😂😂
Thank You, FD, finally someone speaking about how the NFL hired RocNation to help heal their image in Urban and POC communities and Kendrick who stood with Kap against them doing this is weird and I’m not a Drake Stan I listen to KDot way more
So why do you feel the need to say you're not a Drake stan? Weird caveats...Like if you are a fan of not it's okay to have a different opinion on something.
Let The Party Die is the beginning of the schism among us newer Kendrick fans like myself between who’s here for his genuine musical talent and who’s a tourist who just enjoyed the blood sport of shitting on Drake
People talk about how punk music and hiphop were intertwined during different periods from the communities' proximity in places like LA and NYC. Hearing you talk about the hiphop gold rush reminds me of when I realized that most early punk musicians were art students, folk musicians, and idling middle class kids.
After the way he put drake back in his box, Kenny could do anything and I'll not care in the least. All I've ever wanted from him was Euphoria
💯
That’s where I’m at too. I got my pay off from a 10+ year saga. I was right from the beginning so Dot good in my book musically.
Also, Kendrick literally has a song where Tupac talks about eating the rich, where the whole focus is on how wealth (black capitalism) is used to remove the edge from those motivated to change the unfair system. How turning 30 takes the fight out of you, whether you beat the system or it beats you. They win either way.
That makes him quite different from Jay-Z or Killer Mike.
I think that all the points you made about rap and the culture as commodities is a blanket statement for the corportization of art as a whole. Its pretty much widespread to any and all cultures