Author: dissectpodcast

S1E13 – How Much a Dollar Cost? by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

Our season long examination of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly continues with the album’s eleventh track, “How Much a Dollar Cost?”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

Plagued by Uncle Sam (the American Dream) and Lucy (temptation), Kendrick has stood at a metaphoric crossroads for most of the album, deciding whether to use or pimp his talent for good or evil. “How Much a Dollar Cost?” will force Kendrick’s hand. Continue reading “S1E13 – How Much a Dollar Cost? by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly”

S1E12: Hood Politics by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

Our season long examination of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with the album’s tenth track “Hood Politics.”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

Continue reading “S1E12: Hood Politics by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly”

S1E11 – Momma by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

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Our season long examination of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with the album’s ninth track “Momma.”

On “Momma,” Kendrick returns home to Compton for the second time on the album. On his first return, he gloated about his success and status on the song “King Kunta.” This time around Kendrick shows signs of maturation. He’s reflective, nostalgic. Having been through the trauma of “u” and the hypnotic seduction of “For Sale?,” home is now a place of grounding comfort that helps Kendrick in his search for clarity and contentment.

Continue reading “S1E11 – Momma by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly”

S1E10 – For Sale? by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

Our season long examination of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar continues with the album’s eighth song “For Sale? (Interlude).”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

Whereas the album’s second track “For Free?” was an external reaction to the seductive lures of Uncle Sam, the American Dream incarnate, “For Sale?” is the internal reaction to seductive lures of Lucy, the Devil incarnate. Continue reading “S1E10 – For Sale? by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly”

S1E9 – “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

Our season long examination of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly continues with the album’s seventh song “Alright.”

Listen now: iPhone, Stitcher, Google Play, iTunes

In the context of the album’s narrative, “Alright” takes place the morning after the drunken confession heard on the previous song “u.” After a therapeutic confrontation of his demons, it seems Kendrick has awoken with a more optimistic outlook and seems determined to overcome his anxieties.

Continue reading “S1E9 – “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly”