Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly
Sequoia Maner
Breaking the global record for streams in a single day, nearly 10 million people around the world tuned in to hear Kendrick Lamar’s sophomore album in the hours after its release. To Pimp a Butterfly was widely hailed as an instant classic, garnering laudatory album reviews, many awards, and even a canonized place in Harvard’s W. E. B. Du Bois archive. Why did this strangely compelling record stimulate the emotions and imaginations of listeners?
This book takes a deep dive into the sounds, images, and lyrics of To Pimp a Butterfly to suggest that Kendrick appeals to the psyche of a nation in crisis and embraces the development of a radical political conscience. Kendrick breathes fresh life into the Black musical protest tradition and cultivates a platform for loving resistance. Combining funk, jazz, and spoken word, To Pimp a Butterfly’s expansive sonic and lyrical geography brings a high level of innovation to rap music. More importantly, Kendrick’s introspective and philosophical songs compel us to believe in a future where, perhaps, we gon’ be alright.
Duration - 4h 3m.
Author - Sequoia Maner.
Narrator - Angel Pean.
Published Date - Wednesday, 29 January 2025.
Copyright - © 2022 Sequoia Maner ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Breaking the global record for streams in a single day, nearly 10 million people around the world tuned in to hear Kendrick Lamar’s sophomore album in the hours after its release. To Pimp a Butterfly was widely hailed as an instant classic, garnering laudatory album reviews, many awards, and even a canonized place in Harvard’s W. E. B. Du Bois archive. Why did this strangely compelling record stimulate the emotions and imaginations of listeners? This book takes a deep dive into the sounds, images, and lyrics of To Pimp a Butterfly to suggest that Kendrick appeals to the psyche of a nation in crisis and embraces the development of a radical political conscience. Kendrick breathes fresh life into the Black musical protest tradition and cultivates a platform for loving resistance. Combining funk, jazz, and spoken word, To Pimp a Butterfly’s expansive sonic and lyrical geography brings a high level of innovation to rap music. More importantly, Kendrick’s introspective and philosophical songs compel us to believe in a future where, perhaps, we gon’ be alright. Duration - 4h 3m. Author - Sequoia Maner. Narrator - Angel Pean. Published Date - Wednesday, 29 January 2025. Copyright - © 2022 Sequoia Maner ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:14
Epigraph
Duration:00:00:11
Preface
Duration:00:03:47
Track Listing
Duration:00:00:57
Chapter 1A
Duration:00:45:03
Chapter 1B
Duration:00:41:53
Chapter 2
Duration:01:02:01
Chapter 3
Duration:01:16:23
Afterword
Duration:00:10:14
Special Thanks
Duration:00:01:40
Closing Credits
Duration:00:00:44