dissectpodcast – Page 6

“The Blacker the Berry – The Book” Kickstarter!

UPDATE: You can now purchase The Blacker the Berry book at blackerberry-book.com.

I’ve teamed with artist/Dissect listener Hannah Sellers to create a book called The Blacker the Berry, now available for pre-order on Kickstarter. The book is a visual exploration of the social and historical context of Kendrick Lamar’s song “The Blacker the Berry.” Hannah created beautiful graphic collages that accompany my analysis of the song, and it really enhances your experience and understanding of Kendrick’s message. Seriously, this thing is absolutely gorgeous, a true piece of art.

For a limited time, you can back this project by pre-ordering your very own copy. We’ve also set a stretch goal, and if reached, we’ll donate $1 of every book sold to Social Works, a youth empowerment charity started by Chance the Rapper.

Support this project by visiting our Kickstarter!

Support Dissect on Patreon

In lieu of advertising on Season 2, I’ve decided instead to create a Patreon account. Patreon is an online platform that allows creators like myself to remain independent and receive support directly from their audience. By pledging as little as $1 a month, you can help Dissect become more sustainable and ad-free.

As you heard me say last season, there is no team behind Dissect. I research, write, record, edit, mix, and master every episode of Dissect. It takes over 20 hours to produce a single episode, often more. And while Dissect is and always will be a passion project, there are fees associated with hosting the show that increase as the show gains a larger audience.

Visit patreon.com/dissect to find out more and make your pledge today. Again, pledges start as little as $1 a month, and there are some great perks available exclusively for supporters. And yes, one of those perks is an early reveal of the subject of Season 2, plus a sneak peak of the first episode!

Your Donations in Action: Compton’s Centennial High Jazz Band

Throughout Dissect Season 1, we collected donations to benefit Compton’s Centennial High School music program. This was Kendrick Lamar’s alma mater, a school he’s since donated money to in an effort to keep off the streets and in the music studio.

On Friday, April 7th, the Centennial High Jazz Band traveled to Palo Alto, California to perform in the World Strides competition. After their performance, they went sightseeing in San Francisco.

For many of the kids, the trip was the first time traveling such a distance outside of Compton. Dissect funds were used for those kids could not afford the trip on their own, but were able to attend due to our support.

I had the opportunity to travel to Palo Alto, see the performance, and meet the band afterwards. Band director Manuel Castaneda was very gracious, and the kids themselves were very polite and appreciative. It was a beautiful experience, something I’ll never forget.

Thank you to all the Dissect listeners who donated to this cause. You helped to provide a memorable life experience for those would otherwise could not have attended. Small acts, big rewards.

To Pimp a Butterfly Album Map

Created in collaboration with the amazingly talented Hannah Sellers, the Dissect To Pimp a Butterfly album map is a visual representation of the narrative told on TPAB. The center column contains the two poems that structure the album while the outer components outline the acts and themes discussed through Season 1 of Dissect.

Click here to download TPAB Album Map (PDF)

For more of Hannah’s work, visit hannahcsellers.com

S1E20/21 – Mortal Man by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

Our season long analysis of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with the album’s final song “Mortal Man”.

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

Part 1 examines the song “Mortal Man” while Part 2 dissects the conversation between Kendrick and 2Pac that concludes the album.

S1E18/19 – i by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

Our season long analysis of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with “i.”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

Part 1 examines the studio single version of “i” while Part 2 studies the staged live version that appears on the album.

Dissect Fundraiser for Compton Music Program

I began constructing a Dissect Season 2 fundraiser to help offset some of the costs for the podcast. But the more I thought about it, and the more asked myself “What Would Kendrick Do?” I’ve decided instead to donate all fundraiser proceeds* to the Centennial High School Music Program in Compton, CA. This was Kendrick Lamar’s high school, and he’s since made significant contributions to the music program in an effort to keep kids in the studio and off the street. Given all we’ve learned from To Pimp a Butterfly, I thought this would be an appropriate gesture of gratitude.

I have a goal of raising $1,000 by the end of Season 1. I think we can easily achieve this goal! Updates will be given weekly.

DONATION PERKS:

Dissect T-Shirt (S-XL)

Riz Apparel “Levitate” Hat. Riz Apparel is a brand of dad caps curated by culture.

Printed and Signed Season 1 Manuscript

(to be made upon completion of Season 1)

All donation perks will be sent digitally or physically upon completion of Season 1 in late January.

DONATION TIERS:

$1-$29: Dissect Season 1 MP3 Download + PDF manuscript
$30+: 1 Donation Perk of your choice + mp3/PDF
$60+: 2 Donation Perks + mp3/PDF
$100+: All 3 Donation Perks + On Air Recognition + mp3/PDF

You will receive a confirmation e-mail from me within 24 hours. If you experience trouble using the link above, please e-mail DISSECTPODCAST@GMAIL.COM.

*Proceeds=all money after recouping shipping and perk production costs. Each Donation perk = $15 (includes shipping in United States**)

For example, if you contributed $30, $15 goes to cover the cost of donation perk, and $15 goes to music program fundraiser.

**For international shipping, additional cost will be required depending on location. Please contact dissectpodcast@gmail.com to arrange your order.

S1E17 – You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said) by Kendrick Lamar

Our season long examination of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with the “You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

S1E15/16 – The Blacker the Berry by Kendrick Lamar

Our season long analysis of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with the album’s thirteenth track “The Blacker the Berry.”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

The song was the album’s second single and released amidst the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s incredibly potent, packed with references to the historic oppression of the black community, race relations in contemporary American society, police brutality, the US penitentiary system, and the complexities of black identity, among many others. Continue reading “S1E15/16 – The Blacker the Berry by Kendrick Lamar”

S1E14 – Complexion (A Zulu Love) by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

We continue our season long analysis of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar with the album’s twelfth track “Complexion (A Zulu Love).”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

After battling depression, survival’s guilt, temptation, selfishness, and suicidal thoughts, Kendrick was humbled by an encounter with god on the album’s previous track “How Much a Dollar Cost?” Continue reading “S1E14 – Complexion (A Zulu Love) by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly”