A Deep Dive into DAMN. - Kendrick Lamar's Darkest Opus

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  • Опубліковано 6 тра 2024
  • In 2017, Kendrick Lamar released his 4th studio album, DAMN. However nobody knew that what Kendrick had for us, was his darkest project to date.
    Filled with strange religious concepts and mysterious structures hidden within the tracklist, DAMN tells the twisted journey of a man who’s cursed, without really knowing why. As he retrospects on his past, his rap career and his many sins, he realizes all of this ties back to one terrifying thought: being damned to hell.
    This album is a damn puzzle (no pun intended), there’s no other way of putting it, and in this video you’re gonna learn all about it.
    Wickedness or Weakness?
    You decide...
    Follow me on:
    Twitter: @TennisThom
    Instagram: @thetennisthom
    Twitch: twitch.tv/tennisthom
    Bandcamp: kendlan.bandcamp.com
    Subscribe for a delicious Cheez-it (mailed to your front door of course)
    Chapters:
    0:00 INTRO.
    2:30 BLOOD.
    6:26 DNA.
    9:41 YAH.
    13:38 ELEMENT.
    15:41 FEEL.
    18:46 LOYALTY.
    20:38 PRIDE.
    24:08 HUMBLE.
    25:58 LUST.
    28:59 LOVE.
    31:08 XXX.
    34:46 FEAR.
    39:37 GOD.
    41:43 DUCKWORTH.
    50:36 THE TWIST.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,4 тис.

  • @TennisThom
    @TennisThom  6 місяців тому +1599

    Thank you sooo much for the kind words on the video and most importantly, 10K SUBS!!! ❤ It really means the world to me :)
    Btw, what artists would you like to see next on the channel? 🤔

    • @EmInExtras
      @EmInExtras 6 місяців тому +72

      I would REALLY LOVE it if you make a video about IGOR by Tyler, The Creator.

    • @Pogchamp57
      @Pogchamp57 6 місяців тому +8

      I’d love to see you make a video on twenty one pilots debut album

    • @skepandbbh
      @skepandbbh 6 місяців тому +36

      frank ocean maybe?

    • @koofe0
      @koofe0 6 місяців тому +34

      kanyeee

    • @ahmaddimasmaulana6286
      @ahmaddimasmaulana6286 6 місяців тому +16

      Quadeca - I Didn't Meant To Haunt You
      I Didn't Mean to Haunt You is a VERY omnious 54min experience, with immaculate production that sends chills down your spine.
      Lyrically, this album is quite dark. Talking about heavy subject matter from the viewpoint of a ghost in the afterlife that's still missing life & those close to him.

  • @lwyerup
    @lwyerup 22 дні тому +4622

    as a reminder: there are genuinely people out there that think Drake is better than this

    • @jeffreymarumorankeng3839
      @jeffreymarumorankeng3839 20 днів тому +141

      The club ad emo rap fans😂😂 its the same fans who say mr morale is a bad album as they dont get the art yet

    • @javiartem
      @javiartem 18 днів тому

      @@jeffreymarumorankeng3839you think emo rap fans are listening to fucking drake? that’s literally frat boy rap dude

    • @astralvibration02
      @astralvibration02 18 днів тому +20

      this

    • @ZayBub
      @ZayBub 16 днів тому +94

      Drakes good, but he'll never top Kendrick I'm sorry

    • @Dapper_Dad
      @Dapper_Dad 16 днів тому +8

      If you replace “god” with Drake, recognize the fear of having the lust found out by Whitney(which I believe had happened by this time and this is the response via Drake going to Compton for the 100 vid and probably telling Whitney Kendrick was cheating on his tours) and recognize Mr. Morale is the Part 2 to this(1855 days, I’ve been going through something, be afraid) but ALSO THE PART 3 to TPAB(the attempted saving of Drake ) and realize that’s why Drake was so mad it beat him out for the 2016 Grammy then I think we all see what’s been going on this whole time

  • @bobfrank3575
    @bobfrank3575 2 місяці тому +4143

    bro is definitely getting an A in english

  • @McFlyIncognito
    @McFlyIncognito 18 днів тому +512

    kendrick is the only dude where you need an 1 hour explanation for his album

    • @Nathan7041
      @Nathan7041 2 дні тому +4

      I know this cool UA-cam channel full of dudes needing 1 hour explanations for their albums.

    • @anirudhtalabattula1257
      @anirudhtalabattula1257 22 години тому

      @@Nathan7041 can you tell me plz

    • @beautiful_ground
      @beautiful_ground 16 годин тому +2

      You've clearly never heard a Swans album.

    • @McFlyIncognito
      @McFlyIncognito 16 годин тому +1

      @@beautiful_ground Yes I have
      Soundtracks for the blind and To be kind to be more precise.
      I don't know what are you trying to say tho

  • @theKaizen1
    @theKaizen1 Місяць тому +974

    we need mr morale and big steppers version

  • @eddienicx
    @eddienicx 5 місяців тому +6173

    DAMN. being your first rap album is setting a very high bar for your rap taste

    • @o.d.5070
      @o.d.5070 4 місяці тому +66

      Odeee bro I wonder if there’s an album he ranks above this

    • @YourDadsHouseAbdYourMums
      @YourDadsHouseAbdYourMums 3 місяці тому

      damn is great but personally it's not even kendricks best so it's not impossible to like other shit too

    • @JoshuaGreyJensen
      @JoshuaGreyJensen 3 місяці тому +188

      To Pimp a Butterfly has been my intro to conscious rap. And it moved me so much even though I can't actually relate to it very much but it just caused a swell of empathy and a paradigm shift of what "answer" is to making the world a better and more open place

    • @jamez6398
      @jamez6398 2 місяці тому +28

      Mad City is my favourite Kendrick Lamar album I like it more than Damn.

    • @prat118
      @prat118 2 місяці тому +1

      Brother it was my first rap album😭

  • @christianaragon8533
    @christianaragon8533 6 місяців тому +3701

    Duuuuuude, this is one of the best album breakdowns I’ve ever seen. Also the animations were on point. Definitively following you and hope you can do more of Kendrick in the future!

    • @pabinda
      @pabinda 4 місяці тому +4

      ete sech

  • @Wositap333
    @Wositap333 Місяць тому +865

    I feel like the blind lady was a reference to weakness or wickedness, lemme explain. He helped the lady without knowing what would happend trusting and showing her weakness WHICH GOT HIM KILLED. But if he didnt helped her he would be wicked, or "a bad person" but not get killed. Showing how unfair the world it's, bad people have it all, they do whatever they want and it comes out however they want. While good people are usally punishes or suffer too much in their life.

    • @nicolaspagnotta1072
      @nicolaspagnotta1072 14 днів тому +25

      I feel like you can kind of apply that to every song on this album. I think every song shows something that kendrick has went through and hes unsure if his actions are weakness or wickedness. Have all the bad things kendrick or even the world done been made out of wickedness or weakness

    • @luisortegast
      @luisortegast 12 днів тому +16

      IS IT WICKEDNESS , IS IT WEAKNESS¿

    • @Wositap333
      @Wositap333 12 днів тому +1

      @@luisortegast R E ALLLLLL

    • @luisortegast
      @luisortegast 12 днів тому +4

      @@Wositap333 damn, this album top 3 of kendrick

    • @officialconch
      @officialconch 12 днів тому +5

      The lady was weakness and wickedness all-in-one.

  • @Shiny_mewtwo4
    @Shiny_mewtwo4 24 дні тому +116

    He’s feeling cursed and then his newest album he mentions the generational curse being broken. Kendrick is an absolute genius and the best rapper alive

  • @user-iw6eb2nv4d
    @user-iw6eb2nv4d 6 місяців тому +1436

    Respect for Kendrick's father! He found a smart move that changed whole history

    • @kingace6186
      @kingace6186 4 місяці тому +60

      Ducky is a great father that more people should try to be like

    • @makesomething4093
      @makesomething4093 4 місяці тому +92

      Yeah, adding biscuits to a box gave us To Pimp a Butterfly

    • @zboy1152
      @zboy1152 3 місяці тому +47

      That chicken incident gave us gkMC and TPAB

    • @juannaym8488
      @juannaym8488 2 місяці тому +30

      it's a showcase of peaceful actions leading to peaceful resolutions

    • @Avazarrineh
      @Avazarrineh 5 годин тому

      @@kingace6186especially drake 💀

  • @Stooks22
    @Stooks22 6 місяців тому +1592

    One thing I'd like to add!
    In blood, you can see the old blind lady as Lady Justice. You can see the interaction as a court case or police brutality.
    With blood leading off, you can see Lady Justice as a corrupt cop, playing as judge, jurry, and executioner. The story of a young black man walking down the street and being shot by a cop for no reason. This could act as a metaphor for the things Kendrick may have heard growing up. To cope with this idea, he begins to believe that's the way of life for black people in America. This manifests in the next track DNA, with him ending "sex money murder in our DNA". This sets Kendrick up to believe murder is part of who he is, and there isn't anything he can do about it, and hell just die in a gun fight regardless. Queue Yah next and it plays along with idea 'i got so many theories and suspicions'
    On the flip side of things, ending with blood, you can see a corrupt, wealth, rapper Kendrick in a court battle of sorts. One that he ultimately loses and is sentenced to death. The gunshots even works as the gavel the judge would use to end it all. Then Kendrick becomes just another headline for Fox to use.
    We know Kendrick is deeply worried about he's legacy he will leave after his time on earth. We see this in the previous album, even ending on the thought of 'if shit hit the fan are you still a fan?' That was the last thing Kendrick said to us before this album.
    Blood works both ways in this context. Blood could refer to a story of a black man being killed in Compton being told to a young Kendrick. This is the solidified by what he sees on the news.
    It could also be the end of Kendricks life as a wicked rapper who never focused on what was important until it was too late, becoming just another headline.
    This also still fits with all the other ideas in the video! I'd re listen to the album both forwards and backwards with this context! It fits surprisingly well.

    • @haydensmith7529
      @haydensmith7529 4 місяці тому +73

      This was really good and thought out and I love both the different sides it could be and maybe it could even refer to both of these themes

    • @rasdos3889
      @rasdos3889 4 місяці тому +65

      i aint reading allat💀

    • @philippoberhauser9866
      @philippoberhauser9866 4 місяці тому

      same
      @@rasdos3889

    • @philippoberhauser9866
      @philippoberhauser9866 4 місяці тому

      same
      @@rasdos3889

    • @celestite_e
      @celestite_e 4 місяці тому +35

      Honestly, i can see the point leaning more towards the second part in which he tried to end his wickedness. “Mr. Morale” being released after “DAMN.” sort of ties in the idea of family life and just generally abandoning his “wicked past”, embracing love and weakness. Looking at family life, there is bound to be struggle, and as a kid growing up he knew this. But instead of repeating the same “wicked” behavior he thought he was bound to, he tries to teach new meaning to life and what it is to truly *love*.

  • @MonkeMusicMan
    @MonkeMusicMan 8 днів тому +57

    In PRIDE, he says “I wasn’t taught to share, BUT care.” Maybe, he’s saying that he cares, but nobody else does. Maybe that other life is where people DO care.

    • @thenitpickchannel9993
      @thenitpickchannel9993 2 дні тому +4

      Or it’s worse in that Kendrick does care about people but he CAN’T share, like maybe it’s just too important for himself that he can’t share his success or career or what he gains from it with others.
      In another life, he surely was there for everyone else.
      If you take that perspective, it’s possible that this song is kind of a balance between the Wickedness and Weakness theme since it’s also in the middle of the album (the 7th of the 14 songs). His pride is his wickedness, and so is why be won’t share it. But he also feels shame for this because he does care and wishes that in another life, he wasn’t so prideful and actually tried to help others and put the needs of others before his own. That in this “perfect world,” he’d put faith over riches, make schools out of prisons, etc. But he sort of “knows” that that can’t happen, that’s it’s never a perfect world because each perfect world would be a world of lies. Kendrick is too prideful about his own success to share while caring at the same time, hence his remorse because he could do better but his pride gets in the way. He can’t show Weakness because he has too much Wickedness

    • @MonkeMusicMan
      @MonkeMusicMan 2 дні тому +2

      @@thenitpickchannel9993 Right on the nose, man. This album is so intricate, it’s insane how much you can pull from it.

  • @themysticalrebirth955
    @themysticalrebirth955 2 місяці тому +162

    This entire video is beautifully made.

  • @eddybagajevs
    @eddybagajevs 6 місяців тому +4657

    5 minutes into this video and your interpretation of story-telling and editing is actually amazing dude! Never stop making vids :)

    • @theoneandonlyzizf
      @theoneandonlyzizf 5 місяців тому +24

      Then your gonna love how he did the wolf trilogy

    • @keanewhiteirproductions9538
      @keanewhiteirproductions9538 2 місяці тому +1

      I’m sorry this is well made and thought out but this guy is so close but so wrong, he’s got the right idea but is also so off

    • @ImmaniGregory
      @ImmaniGregory 2 місяці тому

      Literally said what I wanted to say! Insight on this album is amazing

    • @user-cw8pv6sf5k
      @user-cw8pv6sf5k 2 місяці тому +2

      Holy glaze

    • @akduyahwvd4137
      @akduyahwvd4137 2 місяці тому

  • @trapzone707
    @trapzone707 6 місяців тому +1756

    The quality of this is fucking wild, definitely looking forward to seeing more!
    Update: I just relistened to DAMN. Because of this video. It was always my least favorite Kendrick project and this let me give it a second chance with new context and it elevated it a whole lot. Thanks for this

    • @nonkolisekowaka2754
      @nonkolisekowaka2754 6 місяців тому +33

      I'm glad u gave it another chance

    • @isthatfox6780
      @isthatfox6780 5 місяців тому +16

      exact thing happened to me

    • @Frosty1026
      @Frosty1026 5 місяців тому +3

      I’m about to do the same after this vid I also didn’t like it like I have other projects but this vid gave me a whole different perception on it.

    • @nebiyoutadesse9785
      @nebiyoutadesse9785 5 місяців тому +3

      Exact same thing with me too

    • @romeogill3601
      @romeogill3601 3 місяці тому +4

      took the words out of my mouth. Amazing video

  • @loganmounts3723
    @loganmounts3723 Місяць тому +194

    Kendrick at 7, 17, and 27… 777? Angel number

    • @JorgeHernandez-qw3wy
      @JorgeHernandez-qw3wy 12 днів тому +15

      Well there is no such thing as angel numbers the Bible never speaks about such things

    • @LoveWinsItAll
      @LoveWinsItAll 10 днів тому +16

      ​@JorgeHernandez-qw3wy the bible does speak of the number 7 hundreds of times. The number 7 is completion

    • @CSalad_
      @CSalad_ 10 днів тому +2

      @@LoveWinsItAllFair but no mention of angel numbers. Logan has a good point though about the repitition of the 7.

    • @theunfunnyjokester
      @theunfunnyjokester 9 днів тому

      7 is repeated in other places too I think

    • @tab.x1173
      @tab.x1173 6 днів тому +2

      7 deadly sins

  • @spacepeep4850
    @spacepeep4850 Місяць тому +27

    I think the blind lady is justice and what she was finding was Kendrick’s fate on whether he chose weakness or wickedness

  • @polarsvoid
    @polarsvoid 4 місяці тому +1693

    Barely 20 minutes in and he's uncovered more than I would've ever imagined by myself. Insane bro, also the animations and works are amazing. Keep it up bro!

    • @philippoberhauser9866
      @philippoberhauser9866 4 місяці тому +8

      bro it was so good right?

    • @R4lka
      @R4lka 21 день тому

      @@philippoberhauser9866ONGGG, I adore his damn videos, I could’ve never cared less about the meaning of albums but he single-handedly made me so interested

  • @bumpy742
    @bumpy742 5 місяців тому +1055

    One thing that could be point out. In the regular album cover in DAMN, DAMN is above Kendrick as he’s wearing a blank white T-shirt, indicating his journey to salvation and being free from damnation. In the collector’s edition (reversed order) DAMN is on his shirt which could indicate his path into damnation and where he becomes cursed.

    • @hooyadiver1974
      @hooyadiver1974 2 місяці тому +10

      i didnt notice that. Thats pretty cool!

    • @amimistry3869
      @amimistry3869 2 місяці тому +1

      Omg I didnt notice Tysm this feels like a part of the video more than a comment

    • @gabrielfridvall8830
      @gabrielfridvall8830 2 місяці тому +1

      49:50

    • @Bdot_youtube
      @Bdot_youtube Місяць тому +7

      Damned if you do, damned if you don’t

  • @chasewilliamson1449
    @chasewilliamson1449 2 місяці тому +29

    Man I’m really going to need you to do the rest of Kendrick’s discography after this one

  • @fragmentshotz9352
    @fragmentshotz9352 12 днів тому +14

    in FEAR. one thing that always stuck out to me was the way Kendrick says "my new found life made all of me magnified". It almost sounds like he says "Ptolemy". Looking into Ptolemy he has a theory about Earth being the center of the universe which I interpret as either Kendrick being fearful because he believes he is the center of the attention further "magnifying" his fear brought from fame, or a connection to Earthly desires and ways furthering him away from god. Just a thought I had.

  • @w1u4
    @w1u4 4 місяці тому +923

    Holy shit i never realized how insanely amazing this album is. The reverse twist is phenomenal, and its so impressive that kendrick and his team were able to make this story so cohesive in both directions

  • @ZachIGuess69
    @ZachIGuess69 6 місяців тому +481

    I’ve always interpreted XXX. As 666. Or hell. Showing that America is now a hellhole, and also referring to one of Kendrick’s main fears in the album

    • @sadeensada9107
      @sadeensada9107 5 місяців тому +5

      i literally had the same thought

    • @anshuuu9708
      @anshuuu9708 4 місяці тому +6

      Been thinking the same for years, even in TPAB he keeps referring to that

    • @chilluxtheduck8023
      @chilluxtheduck8023 4 місяці тому

      Perhaps both symbolizing the similarities between USA and 666

    • @zboy1152
      @zboy1152 3 місяці тому +31

      "I don't see Compton, I see something much worse, the land of the landmines, *the hell that's on Earth"*
      That line from the end of Complexion might fit perfectly with XXX.

    • @vanessaluna7312
      @vanessaluna7312 Місяць тому +3

      3 characters in the alphabet can mean so much.

  • @fazemialege5427
    @fazemialege5427 17 днів тому +20

    might be the best video i’ve seen

  • @nick_hunter00
    @nick_hunter00 8 годин тому +2

    the amount of symbolism and theme, the quality of this album… its one of the greatest albums of all time

  • @vitorx4
    @vitorx4 3 місяці тому +406

    this video is PERFECT. the interpretation, the imagery, the color game, everything builds up to a MASTERPIECE. congratulations brother, you've made ART.

    • @ADMmachine
      @ADMmachine 22 дні тому +4

      saw two words in all caps with a dot at the end and thought they were DAMN. tracks lmao

    • @mewxtwo
      @mewxtwo 19 днів тому +2

      ​@@ADMmachine😂 kinda a funny coincidence. That's the amount of power this album holds, I can't ever unsee it now lmao

    • @tocide
      @tocide 6 днів тому

      YOU. Made an art

  • @jabraillemorrison7204
    @jabraillemorrison7204 3 місяці тому +111

    I think it’s really important to mention that Rhianna had been dealing with a similar situation. Somebody in her team took money from her / deceived her and Kendrick heard about it. They ended up collaborating on Loyalty cuz they were in very similar places dealing wit dishonesty & being backstabbed in the industry

    • @48pulkitgupta65
      @48pulkitgupta65 6 днів тому +1

      and yet in one of the songs, kdot says “i read a case about rihanna’s accountant and wondered, how did the BAD girl feel when she looked at the numbers” wicked ken 😂😭

    • @jabraillemorrison7204
      @jabraillemorrison7204 6 днів тому +2

      exactly. it wasn’t a slight at Riri. he was doubling down on the fact it happened to her and that it was fucked up.

    • @Rpl5555
      @Rpl5555 6 годин тому

      @@48pulkitgupta65it’s just a reference to her nickname badgyal riri

  • @avengersendgame-ne3vo
    @avengersendgame-ne3vo Місяць тому +7

    when the vid so good you just stand there like,DAMN.

  • @alextompkins4041
    @alextompkins4041 2 місяці тому +3

    the best part about xxx for me is the gun control part.
    heavily hints at the idea that damn. as a whole is a reaction to a tragic truth, something he confirmed in an interview about damn.
    he was asked something about the album and TPAB and he said that if TPAB is him trying to change the world, damn. is him realizing he cant

  • @itsnick8751
    @itsnick8751 3 місяці тому +468

    I was eating cheese its while eating this.

    • @stefanman9063
      @stefanman9063 24 дні тому +8

      Me too haha

    • @wcrq_drift7972
      @wcrq_drift7972 13 днів тому

      Half of it in class, the other half asleep on the bus. Rewatched the whole thing while making a grilled cheese

    • @Dullskink
      @Dullskink 12 днів тому +1

      I hope it was good

    • @kingbred4793
      @kingbred4793 12 днів тому +1

      Cheese itz are nasty yall can call me weird idgaf

    • @wcrq_drift7972
      @wcrq_drift7972 7 днів тому

      @@kingbred4793 you're nasty.

  • @brainoffgaming
    @brainoffgaming 6 місяців тому +429

    I wish i could like this a million times cuz thats how much this deserves. DAMN. Was my fav album but i could never put in to words why, and this video finally answered that for me 🔥🔥🔥

    • @Chaoticz_official
      @Chaoticz_official 6 місяців тому +4

      Same here for everything you said

    • @jessepowell5750
      @jessepowell5750 5 місяців тому +4

      How does someone else answer why you like an album?

    • @brainoffgaming
      @brainoffgaming 5 місяців тому +12

      @@jessepowell5750 by describing the reasons why i like it

  • @patsucksatgaming1340
    @patsucksatgaming1340 2 місяці тому +5

    This is probably my favourite video on ALL of UA-cam, absolutely perfect AMAZING video. Keep it up

  • @ryancarona4199
    @ryancarona4199 16 днів тому +6

    This album hits different when you enter your 30s. I always come back to this album when I’m stressed out about things. He went more deep in Mr. Moral and the big steppers. hard subjects to talk about let alone make a song about them.

  • @doomseekar
    @doomseekar 4 місяці тому +527

    the duckworth ending is a representation of kendrick lamar getting shot "die in a gunfi-" and the rewind/reverse is how all your life flashes before your eyes.

    • @ir0316
      @ir0316 2 місяці тому +5

      No lmao

    • @badcat7754
      @badcat7754 2 місяці тому +34

      Bro Kendrick literally posted a reverse tracklist how does that make sense 😭

    • @gooddood3857
      @gooddood3857 2 місяці тому +25

      im not saying youre wrong for having that interpretation on it but comes off like a "this is what it means" grand statement. Art is never one thing

    • @iamsam-cu9rz
      @iamsam-cu9rz Місяць тому

      @@gooddood3857this video IS a grand statement

  • @JackieLombardi
    @JackieLombardi 4 місяці тому +1034

    I never understood why people didn't like DAMN. as much as his other albums, personally i think DAMN. is a better album than TPAB even if TPAB is the objectively more culturally significant one. This video really made me realize why I loved this album so much...i never thought this deeply into it even though i spent a lot of time with this album and listening to what Kenny had to say. Thanks so much for your hard work on this ♥

    • @shaelaputaindrole9625
      @shaelaputaindrole9625 4 місяці тому +59

      I'm gonna be honest, I think the main reason why I didn't like it (or rather just not as much as the others) was because I didn't get shit about it. I've always been a big fan but I caught the DAMN train rather late for some reason, so I mostly first experienced the album through the commercial tracks without context and only took the time to listen to it after ; except I didn't necessarly bother to analyze the whole thing because I was bored with the most well known songs already.
      This video fucking blew my mind and definetely changed my whole percepective on the album. Even when I thought I couldn't underrestimate Kdot I realize I still did.

    • @BeastscopesCL
      @BeastscopesCL 4 місяці тому +49

      I feel like TPAB and GKMC have this reverance that has damaged both DAMN and MMATBS's perceptions almost as though the idea that Kendrick or anyone could ever hit that level is an insult to how good those albums are. To me both of the more recent albums especially MMATBS are on the same level as the earlier two but it will take a long time for that to be an accepted consensus and even then there will be naysayers still being influenced by the respect they have for the earlier two instead of letting the latter two be judged from an uncompromised position

    • @jqn_001
      @jqn_001 3 місяці тому +12

      I did always has the same feeling, I could'nt understand why people say this album is more "commercial". Only because has more mainstream songs that the previous albums didn't mean it isn't DEEP as fk... My favourite album for sure =)

    • @jamez6398
      @jamez6398 2 місяці тому +1

      It's because some people find this album too dark, nihilistic, and hopeless.

    • @AsTheCrowFlies745
      @AsTheCrowFlies745 2 місяці тому +4

      I felt this way before, damn being my favourite from Kendrick. But I feel like though this album is stellar, he does everything he does here so much better on the Mr Morale, tpab and gkmc. It's obviously subjective, but I feel like once you really understand all these albums, damn kind of falls behind.

  • @Jakquis
    @Jakquis 2 місяці тому +9

    this is one of the best videos ive ever seen, the editing, the attention to detail ect is incredible

  • @isabelr8678
    @isabelr8678 Місяць тому +8

    This is genuinely such an amazingly written and well made video well done !!

  • @glitchin2547
    @glitchin2547 6 місяців тому +290

    genuinely my favorite video I've watched in years, I love your editing, commentary, story telling, everythings so unique and feels so fresh, cant wait to see what you do next brother

    • @inkyoggy
      @inkyoggy 5 місяців тому

      i agree 100%

  • @BrandoDioDa
    @BrandoDioDa 5 місяців тому +138

    This is easily the best breakdown of DAMN I’ve ever heard. Everything from the commentary to the editing and storytelling is one point.
    I’ve always wondered why I’ve like the dichotomy tracks of LOVE and LUST or PRIDE and HUMBLE.

  • @NimbusAnimations
    @NimbusAnimations 8 днів тому +6

    missed the opportunity to name the collectors edition “god damn.”

    • @IamFirtyDucker
      @IamFirtyDucker 8 днів тому +1

      The theory when it came out was that it’ll be called Nation. To complete the damnation arc

    • @Rylan1
      @Rylan1 8 днів тому +1

      @@IamFirtyDuckerThank you bro you reminded me to do my homework 🙏

  • @Raj_The_Cat
    @Raj_The_Cat Місяць тому +4

    Bro this is legitimately the best video I've ever watched on UA-cam. Congrats man, I'm definitely subscribing!

  • @northcoast1306
    @northcoast1306 5 місяців тому +195

    Dude, I've been a fan of Kendrick's poetry since GKMC, so i gladly listened to that and TPAB over and over again to get it(and watched a few explanation videos)...but DAMN was a brain teaser. I couldn't understand it for the life of me.
    And yet, finally, someone did their homework to fully explain (in the best way possible) the entire album (in both ways!!).
    Thanks a lot for your hard work. 🙏

  • @dwdavis6605
    @dwdavis6605 6 місяців тому +85

    I've been trying to understand the conceptual side of damn for so long. This truly is the best breakdown I've seen on this project. I truly am amazed by the work you've put in and ofc kendrick's hehe. Thank you! Love!

  • @nofunazazel3620
    @nofunazazel3620 Місяць тому +2

    That is the best video I’ve watched related to uncovering the meaning of albums,please keep it up man

  • @rohitreddy4833
    @rohitreddy4833 Місяць тому +1

    omg... This is without question the best video I have seen this year. Thank you so much for making it I am so lost in thought rn

  • @damareyontaylor
    @damareyontaylor 3 місяці тому +25

    this just made me realize damn. is one of the greatest works of art in music history. unbelievable. great breakdown

  • @TheFuckingKrayz
    @TheFuckingKrayz 5 місяців тому +143

    First of all, i want to say that this was an amazing video. Script, editing, everything. That said, i have a different take on what the story on BLOOD. is, and by extension the nature of the 2 versions of Kendrick. I believe that the 2 Kendricks are connected, and pretty much the same person. You see, in blood, we see a kendrick that is loving, he sees a grandma and goes to help her. That is in character with the weak Kendrick. The grandma, we see a character that is lost and blind. That is in line with wicked kendrick, who has been blinded by sin and lost his path to salvation. That said, their physical characteristics don't match this traits. The physically weak one(grandma) has the spirtual characteristics of the wicked one. To me this tells me that they are the same person. Both people are half of what each of the kendricks represent. That said, i do think that they have one connection to each version respectfully. The grandma has lived a long life, so if in kendrick terms, she survived. She is the kendrick who loved. Kendrick, in BLOOD. is the wicked kendrick, dying at a young age in some sort of gang conflict. Here we see too lives. One, where a person lives a long life, who turned to love and god. A person with some sort of legacy. The other is one of a person who was misguided, lost in a forest of sin and only getting deeper into the woods. Dying in a gang affiliation, too young to have his legacy, only to be forgotten. The first chose love. The first one simply got killed in the crossfire. The second chose pride. And it was the death of him.

    • @hughjass-zj1pw
      @hughjass-zj1pw 2 місяці тому +9

      I think there's something to be said about the blind grandma being lady justice, as she fits the description. At this point in the story of Damn both normal and reverse Kendrick has lost God and is worthy of damnation, and blood is just a track showing that Kendrick is Worthy of damnation at that point of the album.

    • @TheFuckingKrayz
      @TheFuckingKrayz 2 місяці тому +4

      @@hughjass-zj1pw oh my god I've been leaving my lengthy opinions on old video essays for like years and this is like the first time anyone has responded!!!! Also, yes, that's a really good way too look at it

    • @scareddog6163
      @scareddog6163 Місяць тому +1

      That actually really makes sense. In addition, their physical manifestations could reflect their personalities. So the grandma, being the more wicked one, is more physically weak since wickedness (in the context of the album) leads to worse results. Kendrick, being the weaker one, is stronger physically since weakness is associated with salvation and better results (in the context of the album).

  • @tommyzitko3419
    @tommyzitko3419 4 дні тому +2

    this album literally changed my life, i was in a deep depression and listening to kendrick dealing with most of the same issues as a young 19 year old kid lost with no plans he really helped me understand that there is good and evil

  • @thezone3967
    @thezone3967 12 днів тому +7

    I think the blind lady is actually wisdom because in proverbs 1:20-23 it’s saying that wisdom cries out on the streets for those who want to listen. While in the original order Kendrick goes to seek wisdom and his old self dies showing that he is starting his journey with Christ while in the reverse it’s showing that because of all his wickedness, that Kendrick dies because in Deuteronomy 30:19 it is saying that God has given you a choice to choose from blessings or curses and he has called all on earth and heaven to witness your decisions. But the most important part in that is him saying that if you choose God or “life” as it states, then you and your descendants will live. It also states in the Bible that wisdom is a woman in some way so it would make more sense 1:00:11

  • @arthurmaranesi7899
    @arthurmaranesi7899 4 місяці тому +34

    holy shit. I started watching this at 3 A.M. thinking "this video has 1 hour, I'm going to watch it to maybe sleep in the middle of it" BUT WHAT???? this video was fucking incredible, man. when I heard this album for the first time, I didn't have any idea that it was *_that_* deep. this video was so amazingly written and edited that it made my comprehend the album so much better. never stop making videos, man. you got a new _loyal_ sub. *damn.*

  • @ScylenoMido
    @ScylenoMido 6 місяців тому +67

    This is like my first time commenting in a long time, perhaps since 5 years ago. I gotta say, while watching this at 3 in the morning, this has to be the BEST breakdown of an album I have EVER seen. Without even mentioning the quality of the editing or tone of the video, it’s fucking amazing. Keep it going man, this was an incredible watch.

  • @user-em4kh1dt2d
    @user-em4kh1dt2d 2 місяці тому +1

    This is so well done. I have loved this album since day one and you did a beautiful job analyzing it. It really is a poetic masterpiece. Thank you!

  • @tonytheboney6676
    @tonytheboney6676 Місяць тому +1

    The best deep dive video I have watched. PLEASE do not stop making content!

  • @pootyjay69
    @pootyjay69 3 місяці тому +43

    Kendrick is one of my top listened to artists on Spotify and this album has been one I constantly go back to since it came out and the reverse order track list BLEW MY MIND

  • @hugoribeiro3236
    @hugoribeiro3236 6 місяців тому +75

    yo usually i dont even comment on vids and shit but allow me to tell you this video is amazing. The visuals, the way you explain it, the overall attention to detail is what makes this video so entertaning and complete. really hope u keep going dude, u killed it.

  • @NoS33dz
    @NoS33dz 6 годин тому

    Bro thank you for making this 💯 it's extremely well done!
    Kendrick's album concepts & executions are amazing

  • @joshuaisabot4202
    @joshuaisabot4202 Місяць тому +1

    I haven’t commented on a UA-cam vid in 2 whole years. This is by far one of the greatest videos I have ever seen on this app and it’s crazy. I am a huge Kendrick fan and I have known about how this album has such a deep meaning and everything, but you made it so much clearer and so much deeper than I thought it was. Also being a Christian, it totally makes so much sense about how Kendrick is Afraid of God or in the flip side he isn’t afraid of anything because of how prideful he is about himself. This is like a bible lesson and an album breakdown in one video almost. I love it.

  • @zverobes
    @zverobes 3 місяці тому +25

    Bro, this is one of the greatest video essays I've ever seen. Though I knew the twist about the reverse story, you still made me watch the whole video with so much satisfaction. You gave me goosebumps with the structure, the montage, the storytelling. Great job, bro!! Thanks a lot!!

  • @julianaj2093
    @julianaj2093 5 місяців тому +27

    Thank you for making this… I’m 30 and went through my 20s with the emergence of Kendrick Lamar… this made me appreciate this body of work infinitely more.

  • @pedal64
    @pedal64 6 днів тому

    What a brilliant commentary. I am in awe at the detail and revelations you have made in this video - thank you for this!

  • @monokey2059
    @monokey2059 9 днів тому +1

    What an amazing breakdown. You must have sat and dwelled on this albums for hours man 😭 we appreciate your work.

  • @daneking3235
    @daneking3235 5 місяців тому +22

    I’m going to be honest at first I was like "I doubt some guy who discovers rap music in 2017 will have any thing interesting to say about this amazing album" but then you blowed my mind on how well this video was written and edited. You even thought me about the two different path of the album I always thought it was just about how Kendrick picked the wickness path and that’s it wow I can only tell you how impressed I am

  • @borisbozhilov5952
    @borisbozhilov5952 6 місяців тому +50

    I was so confused by this album, because I knew there was something more to it. That video solved it all. Such an amazing perspective of this album. Thank you :)

  • @yaboikamikaze8231
    @yaboikamikaze8231 8 днів тому +4

    I thought it was cool through the track list you found the phrase "Fear God" on the original album. It also made me realize that on the collectors edition you can see "Love Lust".

  • @randm-lee7182
    @randm-lee7182 8 днів тому

    This is truly one of the best and most enjoyable album breakdowns I've watched. Great work buddy 👏🏽

  • @edjones4188
    @edjones4188 4 місяці тому +16

    this is my all-time favorite album. i've been listening to it off and on for the past few years, and loved every bit of it. awesome video, my man. love to find new perspectives

  • @sirdouros
    @sirdouros 6 місяців тому +10

    Dude, never stop making videos. They just keep getting more incredible. Your editing is also so amazing

  • @MaxandSam_ski
    @MaxandSam_ski 2 місяці тому +1

    Seriously one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to see what’s next

  • @Jankz1
    @Jankz1 2 місяці тому +1

    This editing telling drawing is AMAZING keep doing this amazing stuff,now i HAVE to be a Kendrick lamar fan,damn.

  • @MouslimEttahiri
    @MouslimEttahiri 4 місяці тому +9

    bro your'e the best music related channel.Bro you changed my whole view of music analytics and it can be soo much obvious but still hard and complex at the same time.
    Respect,you deserve a follow

  • @colorfulfeathersbird
    @colorfulfeathersbird 5 місяців тому +12

    this is probably the best and most well made analysis of music ive ever seen on youtube, especially with all the graphics. would love to see you cover more works!

  • @alasxo
    @alasxo Місяць тому +1

    never stop making videos bro...
    10/10 video and changed my perspective of how i look at my life as
    a religous and catholic individual. thank you for this. bless up bro x.
    AND THANK YOU TO KDOT

  • @tylerjamesth47
    @tylerjamesth47 23 дні тому

    Thank you so much for making this. One of my favorite albums and my favorite artist since 6th grade, never did I realize how deep this album was. This was such an amazing watch

  • @BobbyBarmint0n
    @BobbyBarmint0n 6 місяців тому +15

    Dude, I never thought that Tyler video could be topped, yet this is absolutely magnificent. Great video!

  • @Its_Confused
    @Its_Confused 3 місяці тому +11

    Dude I have watched this like 5 times, I can’t get enough of this. You HAVE to keep making these deep dives man!!!

  • @cccconrad
    @cccconrad 28 днів тому

    Actually got goosebumps when i understood the twist, your storytellikg is great and i think we all need to appreciate how much time u put into this video! Keep up the good work🙏

  • @samuelmccullough3869
    @samuelmccullough3869 2 місяці тому

    Best video I’ve ever seen it makes so sense how the story goes either way and the editing just got me thinking crazy thanks for this story

  • @1chrisramirez
    @1chrisramirez 5 місяців тому +4

    This has absolutely made this album an even more amazing listen, thank you for the work you put into the deep dive. Keep up the good work

  • @1iknowIsCool
    @1iknowIsCool 5 місяців тому +11

    this video is so well done! as a huge kendrick fan, i wanna thank you for making this. i feel like this needs more recognition

  • @harrisoncoakley7374
    @harrisoncoakley7374 Місяць тому +1

    I love your breakdown. The irony of the ending is very eye opening. This is why DAMN is one of my favorite albums of all time.

  • @LARZMARZ94
    @LARZMARZ94 3 місяці тому +2

    24:30 imagine the alternate universe where Gucci Mane got the beat for Humble

  • @jacobjoe30
    @jacobjoe30 5 місяців тому +11

    this NEEDS more attention absolutely loved everything about this vid to the storytelling to the editing to the final twist, fucking heat and made me LOVE (ironic) DAMN even more than I alr do.Great vid honestly keep it up

  • @inverttalonyt4948
    @inverttalonyt4948 Місяць тому +20

    We need another deep dive into rap albums!! This style of editing and production is amazing!! Keep it up

  • @cydiaenrico4451
    @cydiaenrico4451 3 дні тому

    I love this video so much. Kendrick is my favorite rapper of all time and you broke this down so poignantly. Amazing work.

  • @mohammedabdu.8126
    @mohammedabdu.8126 6 місяців тому +14

    This is fucking amazing. Props to you dude, probably one of the best breakdowns ive seen on YT, notifications will be on 👍

  • @Gbox96
    @Gbox96 5 місяців тому +12

    I've been watching lots of yt videos for over a decade now. This is easily the best music video that I have watched. Not only because I'm a fan of Kenny's work (specially DAMN), but because this video registered my thoughts on this masterpiece.
    Great respect for your vid work, production, dedication and appreciation for the album.
    You did a fantastic job.

  • @parthtripathi4479
    @parthtripathi4479 27 днів тому

    Dude, amazing video man. Enthralled all the way through even with my pea-sized, brainrot brain. Thank you for even making these long deep dive videos, really hoping you make more.

  • @nicolobianco1587
    @nicolobianco1587 2 місяці тому

    I think this is absolutely the best video analysis I've ever seen about this album. Your talent to understand all these hints that Kandrick left in the album, collect them and explain them in a video is astonishing. All my compliments to you

  • @user-vm8bh7wk4q
    @user-vm8bh7wk4q 5 місяців тому +5

    The analysis and video production is amazing. Congratulations for the great job! I've learned a lot from it.

  • @vincejupiter4749
    @vincejupiter4749 4 місяці тому +3

    5 mins in and I am more than impressed. This is one of my favorite albums of all time and for you to care enough to make an hour long video.. thank you 🙏🏽

  • @CarterAce
    @CarterAce Місяць тому +2

    Had to sub. Your videos are incredibly in depth and the research is extensive. You also bring in your own takes outside of everyone else’s perspective and I love that. I’ll be watching every new video from here.

  • @themanwhospeaksinhands9222
    @themanwhospeaksinhands9222 2 місяці тому +2

    now i need a deep dive in mr morale and the big steppers ❤ appreciate the work keep it up man

  • @Hey.janissa
    @Hey.janissa 5 місяців тому +7

    This was such a great and entertaining analysis! Kendrick will forever be one of the greatest artists to grace us with his talents. And please do more of these videos on his other albums, it captivated me like I never heard this album before. Bravo 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾

  • @lilnoodletm8806
    @lilnoodletm8806 5 місяців тому +9

    ive like kinda known about this theory for a while and watched other breakdowns, but never *really* understood. but goddamn you explained it SO well while also being really intertaining and with amazing editing.

  • @claudioberganza4898
    @claudioberganza4898 29 днів тому

    This was dope man, Kendrick is my favorite artist and I think you did him justice.

  • @WhaleFuego
    @WhaleFuego Місяць тому +10

    To keep it real nobody albums gets broken down more than Kendrick Lamar...even after all these years to me he is the greatest you really cant compare him to Drake or J.Cole...

  • @angellgerocheyt
    @angellgerocheyt 5 місяців тому +11

    this is actually one of the best videos ive watched in a while

  • @Mikalwatchingyt
    @Mikalwatchingyt 6 місяців тому +10

    Your deep dives are sooo amazing

  • @thejunky17
    @thejunky17 Місяць тому +1

    Can't express how brilliant is this breakdown. Amazing job.

  • @shroomian2739
    @shroomian2739 22 дні тому +1

    The first time I listened to DAMN I also noticed the wickedness/weakness idea, but I never got the rest of this stuff. This is really interesting and profound, great video essay!