Random Midday Hotness: What Did The Black Man Say?

Kendrick Lamar is great. That’s not some novel observation or anything, but it’s one that comes to come with a lot of Mike Tyson-esque caveats — as in, yeah, but who among his contemporaries is skilled enough to push him to be better? Drake? Hypercompetent and safe, but better than folks give him credit for. J. Cole? Hypercompetent and self-important and boring. Big Sean? Stop it.

Anyway, Kendrick was on Colbert last night — as the show’s last-ever musical guest. (Sniff.) It was his first live performance of as-yet-untitled song off his forthcoming album. It’s got all of the elements of those Kendrick-y elements — that odd mix of melancholy and uplift, hood shit and poetic flourishes. Are you amped? I’m amped.

G.D.

G.D.

Gene "G.D." Demby is the founder and editor of PostBourgie. In his day job, he blogs and reports on race and ethnicity for NPR's Code Switch team.
G.D.
  • Christian J

    Full disclosure: I’m one of those guys who grew up in the suburbs, became a fan of hip hop through first the Beastie Boys and then when Tribe toured with Lollapalooza in the early 90’s – have become a diehard fan of similar artists like De la Soul, The Roots, Outkast, Slum Village, but also Nas etc. Not really liking at all the more commercially successful artists like Snoop, 2Pac, anything Diddy gets his hands in. I want be but am not really a big fan of JayZ or Kanye…I’ve heard this is a common thing for white dudes from the suburbs.

    http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/11/18/116-black-music-that-black-people-dont-listen-to-anymore/

    If you’re still reading, my point is basically that I love KL and I’m pleasantly surprised by that. When I first heard he was the new leader of WC hip hop – from Compton, I assumed he would be in the Snoop mold. And I know even KL himself claims a lot of influence from the Death Row fraternity. But, I see this guy as one of the smartest lyricists I’ve ever heard. I’m frankly not surprised that he didn’t get the Grammy. Pop culture does not get this guy like we should. Also, its too bad that we feel the need to peg artists as this or that. This guy is his own man – that comes through clearly. Yes, amped.