Kendrick Lamar-good kid, m.A.A.d city-2012 (CLASSIC)

[WickedGames]

please stop comparing people to nasir bin olu dara the gawd, its fukking disgusting. No one compares.

Kendrick aint taken no L's in his career yet.

 

[Turbulent]

You nikkas seem to not even know what the fukk "lyrical" is its not just throwing the words together in a difficult cadence. Its simile, metaphor, double entendres, stuff like that...its really NOT Kendrick's forte. His bandmate Ab-Soul is the MUCH more lyrical MC even if his story telling and flow is nothing compared to Kendricks. Most of the shyt he says you get it the VERY first time you hear it...

so having complex lyrics people don't get on the first listen is a good thing???

 

[Regular_P]

Please post some of these great Kendrick verses. I keep asking you stans to post some of these amazing lyrics and all I get is excuses.

Still no quotes or lines

 

[Pool_Shark]

Still no quotes or lines

And I'm sure not why I'm infatuated with death
My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats
That can come about
Cause the tongue is mighty powerful
And I can name a list of your favorites that probably vouch

 

[Black Magisterialness]

so having complex lyrics people don't get on the first listen is a good thing???

its not about not UNDERSTANDING its about discovering new lines and metaphors the more you listen. That's what made albums like the "Matics" and "Food & Liquor 1" classics imo.

Most of the Album lyrically is face value is what im saying...the power is on the imagery and story NOT lyricism.

 

[DrunkerThanAMotherfucker]

I'm stupid because I'm able to intelligently articulate my position, while all you can do is dikkride your favorite artist, post smileys and call names (are you 12 years old)

And you are correct any reasonable hiphop fan can see his levels, which are slightly above average, better than 90% of popular artists, but in no way are they "amazing" or should he be compared to the greats, at least not yet.

"I know some rappers using big words
To make their similes curve
My simplest shyt be more pivotal
I penetrate the hearts of good kids and criminals
Worry some individuals that live life critical."

"I used to want to see the penitentiary
Way after elementary
Thought it was cool to look the judge
In the face when he sentenced me
Since my uncles was institutionalized
My intuition has said I was suited for family ties"

"Now I was raised in a sandbox, next to you and her
You was holding the handgun, she was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you, I wonder what's that worth
I-I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first
The next day I-I woke up in the morning, seen you on the news
Looked in the mirror, then realized I-I-I had something to prove
You told me "Don't be like me, just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see is Wile E. Coyotes in the road"

"Livin' in a premature place - wait
Never grow to see the pearly gates - break
Every time a bullet detonate - dates
Of obituary carry crates of a scary picture
With a family member that relate to ya
In December you was finna pin another case
On your record in a stolen Expedition, play it safe
As the record spinnin' you was hearin' angels entertain
Every pun intended, that was wicked, comin' from your brain
Recognize you listened and you didn't hit the block again
That's because the minute after you had knew you would be slain"

I can go on for days pal.

 

[MeachTheMonster]

"I know some rappers using big words
To make their similes curve
My simplest shyt be more pivotal
I penetrate the hearts of good kids and criminals
Worry some individuals that live life critical."

"I used to want to see the penitentiary
Way after elementary
Thought it was cool to look the judge
In the face when he sentenced me
Since my uncles was institutionalized
My intuition has said I was suited for family ties"

"Now I was raised in a sandbox, next to you and her
You was holding the handgun, she was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you, I wonder what's that worth
I-I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first
The next day I-I woke up in the morning, seen you on the news
Looked in the mirror, then realized I-I-I had something to prove
You told me "Don't be like me, just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see is Wile E. Coyotes in the road"

"Livin' in a premature place - wait
Never grow to see the pearly gates - break
Every time a bullet detonate - dates
Of obituary carry crates of a scary picture
With a family member that relate to ya
In December you was finna pin another case
On your record in a stolen Expedition, play it safe
As the record spinnin' you was hearin' angels entertain
Every pun intended, that was wicked, comin' from your brain
Recognize you listened and you didn't hit the block again
That's because the minute after you had knew you would be slain"

I can go on for days pal.

Good.....not great or "amazing" but good

we are talking about the GKMC album versus LIG. I hope you don't think these lines compare to nas's lyrics all time. And still none of this is better than the nas verse I posted

 

[Lyrically_N_Gaged]

BIG GHOST-
"But why Drake gotta be on this joint? Why Aubrey Graham gotta sprout his wings n flutter all over this shyt? Why Drake in the van wit you on the way to Sherane house in the first place Kendrick? I mean...son really hadda come along par? Aint even like that bathwater drinkin, waffle syrup bleedin, baby powder sneezin, spritzer pourin muthafukka came wit some different shyt. He jus did his usual Drake thing...which is normally jus some instructions for random broads on how they can feel comfortable round him since he kno he aint perfect n she should kno she aint perfect but they perfect together so they can still have a good time bein flawed individuals either way cuz that shyt is destiny even tho he tryin to better hisself but at least he successful now so he aint really mad at how shyt done turned out for him cuz nikkas gon always be unnecessarily hatin on him for all the suspect ass shyt he be doin seein as they jus jealous of where he at in life n feel like they gotta cut him down to size n not that he wanna brag or nothin but it is what it is n she need to come closer so he can describe ey'thing she wearin for whoever listenin n explain to her how her flaws is the reason why she is who she is n why she need to be embracin that shyt stead a hidin behind hairdos n fly clothes since bein mad plain lookin n even possibly slightly unattractive or overweight is what makes her as unique as the snowflakes he use to catch on his tongue while he was makin snow angels on the driveway of his momma house in Toronto before he would run into the kitchen wit his homies Kyle n Blake n have hot chocolates n make smores or some shyt n even tho he wouldnt fukk wit her FORREAL forreal jus only on a song cuz in real life he tryin to bag Rihanna again n has dreams bout Aaliyah bein resurrected n wantin to thank him for single-handedly keepin her memory alive n makin posthumous joints wit her by walkin into the Young Money offices in front of ey'body n givin him a big kiss n scoopin him up n carryin him out while ey'body clappin n cheerin n Weezy goin WAY TO GO DRAKE...WAY TO GO...but he figures chicks wit low self esteem dig all that corny ass overly honest n conflicted bout ya own emotions n opinions shyt cuz its mad relateable so he gon say it anyways....but he kinda toned it down for this joint so its whatever."

 

[HendriX]

This Nas vs Kendrick shiit is corny..
Nas on LIG is a seasoned veteran spitting GROWN man bars about his life, failures and succes .

Kendrick still a hungry ass 25 year old pit bull rookie..raping every track he's on..wants to prove something.

"Them Xanax can't manage your maniac manic depressive expressions
They some silent killers, that stress shyt
That put ulcers in a lot of nikkas
I'm blowing medical, it helps chill a violent temper
I done went to hell and back
You always think you right
You know when you wrong, and still you want to fight
When people like my song
You want to kill em right
You resent me every time I make a million right
You want to experience life when you calling all the shots
Ordering bottles for all your girls up in the spot
Have your own cash, own your own Benz
Your own house, everything, me I understand
Thought you would bask in the glory as Queen Bee
Put you on to Martin Scorsese Mean Streets
The first movie he made, thought that was fly
I thought you was flyer, you a fukking liar"



"Even though I don't like you
Next Friday night can't wait to fight you
Locked up I would knife you
Don't fukk with you
Last month I even bucked at you, you got locked
I felt bad, wait do I got love for you
I might kill you but do I got love for you
I want you dead under six feet of soil
At the same time
Want you here to witness me while you in misery
We hate each other but it's love
What a thug mystery
Years ago they ate the hearts of a slain enemy
We enemies but your hatred could never enter me
Some seek fame cause they need validation
Some say hating is confused admiration
Spotlight on me
I still look twenty
Still get money, lady killer
Pushing a Bentley
Maybe nikkas could see too much of they failures through a nikka who realer
I don't like you near bruh, but I need you to stay"



Lets wait and see what Kendrick spits 13 years from now..

 

[DrunkerThanAMotherfucker]

:ehhh: Good.....not great or "amazing" but good

we are talking about the GKMC album. I hope you don't think these lines compare to nas's lyrics all time.

Good?

What, are you looking for dictionary rap? Kendrick relies on more profound literary devices- allegories, rhetoric, characterization, foreshadowing- that have a greater impact on the listener than complex metaphors or jumbled-up words that rhyme.

good kid, m.a.a.d city is more than one-liners because if that's what you are looking for, go listen to Big L.

It's the whole package that makes the album great; not just stand-out verses or hold-your-breath lines. The album has deep and profound philosophical themes- redemption, existential crises, morality, etc




Nas did just that with Illmatic- but has fell short every-single time afterwards. And no, Kendrick's lines do not stack up against Nasty's all-time best.

Did I ever say that?

 

[Black Ball]

Good.....not great or "amazing" but good

we are talking about the GKMC album versus LIG. I hope you don't think these lines compare to nas's lyrics all time. And still none of this is better than the nas verse I posted

He got dope verses, but he aint better than Nas lyrically. Don't mean he aint making the better music though.

 

[ECA]

This album is just too much

 

[MeachTheMonster]

Good?

What, are you looking for dictionary rap? Kendrick relies on more profound literary devices- allegories, rhetoric, characterization, foreshadowing- that have a greater impact on the listener than complex metaphors or jumbled-up words that rhyme.

good kid, m.a.a.d city is more than one-liners because if that's what you are looking for, go listen to Big L.

It's the whole package that makes the album great; not just stand-out verses or hold-your-breath lines. The album has deep and profound philosophical themes- redemption, existential crises, morality, etc




Nas did just that with Illmatic- but has fell short every-single time afterwards. And no, Kendrick's lines do not stack up against Nasty's all-time best.

Did I ever say that?

I agree with most of your post,(except the nas not living up to illmatic part) but none of that makes Kendrick an "amazing"' LYRISCIST. you can say he's a good story teller or he has the ability to make good relatable music, but the word lyriscist should not be used to describe him.

 

[Insensitive]

its not about not UNDERSTANDING its about discovering new lines and metaphors the more you listen. That's what made albums like the "Matics" and "Food & Liquor 1" classics imo.

Most of the Album lyrically is face value is what im saying...the power is on the imagery and story NOT lyricism.

Lyricism isn't just about using as many literary devices possible.
It's about usingthe literary devices available to you to ultimately say something.

Do you know why dudes like Nas and Lup admire pac ?
Because as a lyricist he excelled in writing lyrics that were not only technically competent but ALSO said something poignant, in a way that wasn't corny.

People conveniently overlook that sh1t when they talk about Hip Hop, they forget that writing is also about wording your verses in a way that's not only DOPE (lot's of multi's, switching flows etc.) BUT ALSO a skillful use of imagery.

It's funny you mention Food & Liquor because there are a lot of songs on both that album and "The Cool" where Lupe doesn't spend the song stressing particular techniques but on actually writing something dope.

He Say She Say ?
Kick, Push ?
Sunshine ?
Hurt Me Soul ?
Coolest ?
Cool ?
American Terrorist ?
Emperor's Soundtrack ?
Streets on Fire ?

Listen to those tracks, notice they're not overdoses on a particular technique. This is what separate songs with the "Bragging" format from the songs with the "Storytelling" format.

Writing actual songs with a concept from beginning to end, sticking to that concept and ignoring the allure of messageboard props for using an unnecessary metaphor, punchline, or a string of rhyming words to instead focus on the particular point of that verse is what makes great songs in Hip Hop.

Dudes like Canibus and Chino XL are at their dopest when they discard that "Lemme show mofuggas how to rhyme" stuff and write songs like Ghetto Vampire or Poet Laureate II, that to me is exquisite lyricism. It's using the tools at hand to paint beautiful imagery.

"If I told you I killed a n***a at sixten would you believe me ?
Or see me to be innocent kendrick you seen in the street with a basketball and some now n laters to eat ?
If I'm mashing all of my skeletons would you jump in the seat ? would you say my intelligence now is great relief ?
And it's say to safe that our next generation maybe could sleep with dreams of being a lawyer or doctor
instead of a boy with a chopper that hold the culdesac hostage, kill em all if they gossip
The children of the corn stay vandalizing the option of living a lie, drown they body with toxins
constantly drinking and driving, hit the powder and watch this flame that arrive in his eye
listen coward the concept is aim it then bang it and slide,out that bytch we'll deposit a price on his
head, the tides probably goto the projects
I live inside the belly of the rough, compton city made me an angel on Angel Dust" - Kendrick Lamar

"If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it ?" - Kendrick lamar

Lines like those, the delivery of it, and how the song is structured around it is what separates the Kendrick Lamars and Lupes from their peers.
And when I mention "tools" I mean EVERYTHING, song becomes art when you use skits, sound effects, descriptive lyrics, logically progressive storylines, an overall metaphor or point to be made, that is skillful lyricism.

People who say Kendrick is an "average lyricist" are the ones I'd say are missing the point, not the ones who "get it".

Also the lines I picked out all go with the concept of "Good Kid M.a.a.D. City" and these aren't the only ones, this what makes the album dope.

 

[MeachTheMonster]

He got dope verses, but he aint better than Nas lyrically. Don't mean he aint making the better music though.

I'd argue about the "better music" part but i can see where your coming from. At this point in my life I can relate more to nas' music, but I'm not totally fogged by stanery, I can understand why people would like kendricks music over nas'