Any other kendrick stans who can admit that on a mainstream level, they're disappoineted
So much positivity and blackness, yet I don't hear shyt from this on the radio (yes I listen to that shyt) and I'm on the west coast
I ain't really disappointed, as it's a deep record breh. GKMC, had commercial appeal, but still represented his story.......that being a kid from a city that we associate with some bullsh!t but legendary music at the same time. The Recipe was to me a classic West Coast record, to me in harmony with G Thang, Gin/Juice, etc., just that good weather enjoy your life music. Swimmin Pools, while dealing with alcholism, was still a classic West Coast joint. Serious subject matter, but you could vibe off of it. Other tracks on that album you could do the same, Money Trees, B!tch Don't Kill My Vibe, Poetic Justice etc.. Or get amped to, the Title Track for instance.
This record though, one couldn't really expect mainstream appeal. That's like expecting a Roots record to blow up. The hipsters will take notice, as they have with Roots records, but to expect the masses to appreciate this.........not happening. When I say the masses, I don't mean just white people either, but young Black men and women, who aren't into deep thought. That's not to say their stupid either, but not everybody can appreciate a social record. I love this kind of music and the record is solid. It's like someone took a Roots record, combined it with Death Certificate, and Dr.Funkenstein, and then said, "Walla!" Something that stands out to me too though is, his verbiage isn't real technical, despite the content being complex. I think some of the more verbally proficient yet conscious emcees make a mistake at times trying to cover deep subject matter, but lose themselves and their message within the bars. Kendrick despite being elite, kept it for the most part simple as far as technique, but made up for that by discussing deep subject matter. Anytime an artist does that, you can't expect them to achieve mainstream appeal. That's just part of the game. I feel like on his next project, he can chase commercial appeal if he chooses, because he's earned the right to do so considering all of his other projects, especially TPABF. Kind of like Mayweather being able to fight whomever he chooses now, because he vanquished Pacquiao. Paid the cost to be the boss.