Feb 10, 2015 The concepts just don't seem to be resonating with me. I understand it's timely and it's tapping right into the vein of today's race-fueled political conversations, but I wanted him to be less blunt about it I guess. But then again, this way is a better vehicle to get his message out to more people But this is also where we disagree because you actually think Kendrick basically never been one for subtlety. And that may be true to an extent, but he has been one for engaging and engrossing storytelling and that came from his insight/unique perspectives Also, what's technically impressive about this verse? Actually curious
Feb 10, 2015 The intro and outro are still so good tho and i love the hook see u guys in a few months when i finally come around to this as a whole
Feb 10, 2015 Because I think that takes more creativity? I'm talking about the writing, not the delivery.
Feb 10, 2015 I'd probably agree if the song were about anything other than the topic at hand. why beat around the bush?
Feb 10, 2015 Just came here to say that The Blacker The Berry is a masterpiece and new Kendrick album probably would be the best Hip Hop record of all time. I am not even kidding. Lyrically the track is beyond words. He sounds angry af, like a S80 or even a KL: EP Kendrick, but smarter and polished like a GKMC Kendrick. He didn't use demagogy to explain his message and his percepcion of the subject was neutral. There are metaphors everywhere, even in the little details. The third verse of this track is probably one of the most important pieces of his career, where he criticize the hipocresy of the black culture when they defend the Afroamerican criminals that ruined the mentioned culture and killed innocent black people. The impressive thing is when he declares himself an "Hypocrite", which shows the courage of K-Dot and how he tries to bring a message that helps to the new generations, like he did with GKMC. Still, we don't know if is going to be a "Concept album", so maybe he is talking under the perspective of a character of the story of the record. Everything is powerful in this song, even in the musical aspect. The beat and the chorus are important pieces to compliment the subject matter of the track. And the Jazz outro after that angry speech by Kendrick was just fantastic. 10/10
Feb 10, 2015 Surprised this isn't on iTunes after a day... I think something's coming soon, maybe an album pre-order.
Feb 10, 2015 In your opinion, does every song on the album need to be subtle or can he have one or two that are more straightforward? Genuinely curious.
Feb 10, 2015 I feel like this same kind of discussion happened when Backseat Freestyle dropped... It's the most blunt track off GKMC when taken out of context, but has a lot of subtlety within the overall story of the album when observed as a whole... we wont know exactly how blunt this song is until we hear it within the context of the album.
Feb 10, 2015 Well yeah, this could very well be more fleshed out than I gave it credit for when it's in context -- but BTB is also just not the same type of track as Backseat Freestyle. Just from the names, you can tell what purpose each is trying to serve. BF was Kendrick emulating being a kid again, freestyling to beat tapes in his friend's car, without a care in the world, when, in reality, he had everything and then some to be worried about. BTB will probably be the "New Slaves" of this record (many people have been making this comparison), and I would honestly take Kanye's track over Kendrick's any day of the week. Every song doesn't have to be subtle, but Kendrick's lyrics are without a doubt what takes precedent most of the time. And they just don't seem to be clicking with me this time around. Even though I like the delivery and intensity, I can't help but think its actually a combination of all this that makes this track fall a bit flat to me -- almost like Kendrick's trying too hard to push a certain agenda, but somehow failing to push his creativity any further
Feb 10, 2015 You're definitely on to something for sure m8, like i said song will probably grow on me after the album's out.
