I know OF Kendrick Lamar, but other than a song here and there, and me having to SoundHound it because I didn't know the artist, I really don't know his work.
I know he has a beef with Drake (whom I really don't know either) and vice versa - though that was probably a huge publicity stunt to drive sales for both of them. (I have nothing to back that up.)
Visually, I thought Lamar's performance was amazing. A minimal stage, good choreography and colours.
Musically, I liked the rhythms. I thought they worked nicely.
In theory, I thought I knew what was going on, but lyrically I was in the dark. As I don't know Lamar's music and wasn't even sure if it was all new (or not) for this performance, I not only didn't know the words, I couldn't understand most of them during the telecast.
I am painfully aware that a 61 year old white gay male is not his target demographic. .....except for maybe his message.
Or messages.
Yes, as I didn't get the actual words of the performance, I looked them up.
Allegedly, Samuel L. Jackson was not dressed up to be Uncle Sam, but Uncle Tom.
Lamar's initial part of the performance had "The revolution is about to be televised; You picked the right time but the wrong guy." This was originally written by Gil Scott Heron in the '70s.
The minimal stage set of which I mentioned was to have resembled a prison yard, and as all the performers out there with him were Black, it certainly sends a message on how incarcerations and sentencing guidelines are more prejudicial against minorities.
Of course, the title image: there was more than a little play when it came to the American flag being represented. Again, all Black performers. It is speculated that it was an artistic telling on how this country was built on the backs of people of colour.
And elsewhere in the performance he raps about “40 acres and mule, this is bigger than the music.”
Now, I'm not sure if BLOTUS was still in attendance (as someone told me he left well before half-time), and if so, if he were listening and understanding. I'm sure his hip-as-hell family members who are down with hip hop are quoting back the lyrics to him. (yes. that was sarcasm.)
To reference my last Sunday post: I'm 100% sure Kendrick Lamar will not be invited to the Kennedy Center to perform.
Whether you like Kendrick Lamar or not (or don't know who he is), I have a vast amount of respect for his performance. Unlike Prince, Madonna, Beyonce etc, this wasn't a 'me me me!' half-time show. It was not a rehash of hits. It was a message. He used his time wisely.
I'm 98.9% sure other 61 year old white males (probs not gay) are complaining about the performance. Not due to the message, as I'm 100% sure they didn't look anything up. But that it wasn't good American fun!
The video of the performance has been watched 24 million times in less than 24 hours. Plus all the people who watched it live.
Song by: Kendrick Lamar
4 comments:
Like you, although I knew the names of Kendrick Lamar & Drake (only slightly above vaguely) I wouldn't have recognised them by appearance or their sound. But it needs acknowledging that this show was utterly astonishing in its originality, synchronicity and precision of performance. Top marks for the brain(s) who thought it up and the entire team staging it. The painstaking rehearsals needed must have been a veritable nighhtmare! And the appearance of the venerable Samuel L.J. was the cherry on top! A sheer visual AND (yes!) aural treat!
Samuel L Jackson did it for me.
I loved it. I admit I missed some of the nuances while watching (like that the setup matched a PlayStation format?). Loved even more that every MAGA hated it. Every time Not Like Us comes on the radio, I crank it up.
I am with you, in that I couldn't understand what was being said, someone told me yesterday that there was a ton of meaning in the words. I did like the entire cast coming out of the car, kind of like the clown car that arrived here in DC three weeks ago.
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