\"To Pimp a Butterfly\" by Kendrick Lamar - Song Analyses PDF

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Summary

Every song on Kendrick Lamar's album "To Pimp a Butterfly" analyzed. Includes the professors analysis as well....

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‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ Notes This is Lamar’s second major label studio album, and third full-length project. In contrast to Lamar’s previous projects, TPAB took more heavily from jazz, soul, and funk influences. This album’s concept explores themes of self-love and hate, fame, depression, violence, race, and politics through a spoken-word poem that interweaves between songs, leading up to the climax. The poem is wrapped with the final track “Mortal Man,” where it is revealed that Kendrick was reading the poem to TuPac all along. Kendrick explained that the working title for the album was ‘Tu Pimp a Caterpillar,’ which spells out ‘TuPAC’ when abbreviated. It was changed to ‘butterfly’ in order to symbolize Kendrick’s personal character growth and his overall resiliency following success within the music industry. The album was heavily inspired by Lamar’s trip to South Africa in 2014, where he visited historical sites such as Nelson Mandela’s jail cell, birthing recurring motifs like Apartheid, distinctions between African and American culture, or institutionalization, among many others. Kendrick creates many allegorical comparisons between Compton and South Africa, especially on the song “Momma.” ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Wesley’s Theory ● Establishes the album’s theme by describing the ‘pimping’ of the proveribal butterfly ● Song is an extended metaphor for how successful black artists are ‘pimped’ by the entertainment industry - having descended historically from slaves ● Kendrick brought his survival of Compton to the present to explain where he came from - had to change or omit certain things to allow listeners to feel such a state of euphoria ● Talks about how he felt when he first got signed and got money, but overall, in general it represents those without money of his color being rich in spirit ● Don’t need dollars to feel like you have a place in the world ● Whole idea is that the lowliest caterpillar can become a beautiful butterfly, and a black person can succeed despite all the institutionalized racism that works against them 2. For Free? ● Kendrick continues to fall victim to the pimps of the record industry ● The relationship between Kendrick and the girl serves as a conceit for the way America has continually treated black people in an attempt to devalue their character and diminish their self esteem ● Rant plays on the perception that a black person in America can only become successful by being a rapper or athlete ● “This dick ain't free” - Kendrick counters the common notion that pussy costs

money, but dick is free… A man has to spend money to get in a girl’s pants but women don’t have to go through the same trouble as a man? ● Kendrick and the population he speaks for have to settle for America’s leftovers 3. King Kunta ● Kunta Kinte, a fictional 18th century slave, is the main character - known for having his right foot cut off because he attempts to escape his plantation ● Kinte is also known for his resilience in refusing to accept the white American name ‘Toby’ that was forced on him by his slave masters - stays strong to his true name and heritage ● Kendrick presents this name as a contrast to the lowest and highest levels of society and provides a feeling of empowerment ● Yam is used as a symbol of authenticity - “I yam what I am” ● Kendrick isn’t the type to kiss ass to become successful - he would rather be in Compton with nothing than compromise… unlike new rappers who allow the labels to use them as a face for someone else’s words 4. Institutionalized ● While “King Kunta” shows Lamar at a high, confidently claiming his throne atop the rap game with the influence and success he has acquired, “Institutionalized” is the dramatic realization that the murky past of the m.a.a.d city still lurks within Lamar’s psych ● Kendrick covers wealth’s corruptive powers, and how many people are negatively affected, almost brainwashed, by the idea of getting rich ● Condemns violence and envy - both are brought on by the institution of money ● The poor and disenfranchised are institutionalized by prison, racism, classism, and the rich and the powerful are institutionalized by fear, dogma, and the almighty dollar ● The word institutionalized also has connotations of insanity, and those who are institutionalized are taught that there is something ‘wrong’ with them 5. These Walls ● Complex wordplay introduced layered metaphorical and literal walls - ‘walls’ of a women’s vagina, walls of a prison cell, walls of his mind and conscience ● Uses the conceit to explore sex, abuse, his own career, enimes, and the human psyche ● Represents being imprisoned by a situation - an allegory for a cycle of murder, lust, seduction, revenge and guilt 6. u ● Complete contrast to his lead single “i” - anthem of peace, prosperity, positivity

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and self-love Kendrick peers deep into the dark caverns of his heart to expose the negative thoughts that plague his mind “A fucking failure” Shows all his insecurities, selfishness and let downs Finds it ironic he can talk in front of thousands of people and make a difference in their lives, but isn’t always able to help someone close to him

7. Alright ● Provides a moment of hope amid TPAB’s battle to find higher purpose ● “Alright” responds to “u” - Kendrick lays out his burdens and responds by detailing how he means to escape his troubles ● He trusts in God and is able to look past his failures and have confidence that everything will be okay ● Message seems optimistic, but is driven by specific pain and struggle ● Mantra made a strong impact in the 2015 summer of protest, as Black Lives Matter activists all over America chanted “we gon’ be alright” 8. For Sale? ● A look at temptation in the shadow of fame, Lamar is joined by his usual background vocalists ● Song offers a deeper insight to the figure of Lucy, representing Lucifer ● Talks about temptations and signing contracts 9. Momma ● Tells of the personal growth and self-realization that Kendrick experienced after having persevered against the internal struggles described as ‘Lucy’ ● Kendrick’s mention of returning home can be interpreted as ○ Literally returning home to Compton, as his Momma asked him to come back and tell his story ○ Kendrick returning to Africa, aka the motherland ○ Returning to his former, pre-fame self ● Reminiscent of TuPac’s “Dear Mama” 10. Hood Politics ● Kendrick states that he has dealt with survivor's guilt by reiterating to himself that he earned his success and stayed true to his foundation ● Gives outlook of what he was like as a child and didn’t have the knowledge he has now ● Contrasts the last song, “Momma” where he forgot about what it was like to be in the hood - this is transporting himself to a time when the hood was all he knew

● Higher pitch represents his younger self, his past, and his roots ● Discusses issues such as American politics 11. How Much a Dollar Cost ● Up until this point in the album, Kendick has been plagued by Lucy and Uncle Sam - on his road to recovery, he runs into a homeless man at a gas station in South Africa ● He tells the story of a man (who he thinks is a crack addict) asking for money - he says no and feels resentment as the man continues to berate him ● Kendrick feels guilty and sympathetic towards the man - man reveals himself to be God, and his selfishness and unwillingness to give the homeless man a dollar has cost him his place in heaven ● He is asking God for forgiveness and points out that the figurative value of a dollar is far higher than the literal value 12. Complexion ● Song is about educating society on beauty standards, especially colorism ● Colorism affects the black community profusely due to its roots, which spawn from the history of slavery in America ● Kendrick details the importance of loving all people no matter how light or dark. ● “There is a separation between the light and dark skin because it is in our nature to do so, but were all black” 13. The Blacker the Berry ● Celebrating blackness in the midst of dealing with racialized self-hatred ● Through this song and the song “i” - they contradict each other and take on a double consciousness that has always been a part of the African American experience 14. You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said) ● “The loudest in the room is the weakest in the room” ● “Those who tell don’t know and those who know don’t tell” ● Powerful message of the figurative purgatory that rappers and entertainers can enter if they are not overwhelmingly successful, yet not anonymous enough to return to their hood without receiving unwanted attention ● Lots of racial undertones here - use of stereotypical black imagery paints Kendrick as the hood figure, but can also be applied to other aspects in life ● Feeling pressure to perform or act a certain way 15. i ● First single from the album - Kendrick never thought he’d be in the mindset to

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make a positive song having grown up around so much negativity in Compton Delves into Kendricks personal perspective of the world Song is about self expression, inspired by the lack of self-love on the streets of Compton TPAB revolves around spiritual turmoil, self-doubt, as well as negative temptations, but this song offers redemption Represents Kendrick’s personality, spreading a strong message about loving yourself, and not worrying what others think of you

16. Mortal Man ● Strongly inspired by Kendrick’s trip to South Africa in 2014 - ‘Mortal Man’ represents leaders such as Nelson Mandela, MLK Jr, Malcom X, etc. ● Interviews Tupac and discusses racism, black culture, fame and image - Kendrick realizes he is the new voice in a long line of leaders ● He understands he has a limited time (mortal man…) and has to reach out to the teenages and recruit them to change the world...