Our season long examination of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly continues with the album’s second track, For Free?.
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S1E3 – Wesley’s Theory by Kendrick Lamar
We begin our season long examination of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly with the album’s opening track, Wesley’s Theory.
Listen to Episode 3 on iTunes: iTunes.com/dissect
To Pimp a Butterfly is a concept album that documents Lamar’s journey from caterpillar to butterfly (metaphorically, of course). Wesley’s Theory introduces the album’s protagonist, Kendrick himself, a young, naive rapper that has achieved stardom and escaped from the cocoon of Compton. We also meet the album’s antagonist, Uncle Sam, who looks to exploit young Kendrick for profit.
Through the lens of this song, we’ll cover topics like the American Dream in modern society, the origins of the phrase “40 Acres and a mule”, Dave Chapelle’s exit from his hit TV show, and Wesley Snipes’ tax evasion conviction.
We’ll also examine how Wesley’s Theory is written cinematically and sets the stage for the narrative that unfolds throughout To Pimp a Butterfly.
If you like what you’ve heard so far, consider rating Dissect on iTunes. It really helps.
S1E2 – good kid, m.A.A.d. city
Dissect podcast continues its preface of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly with an overview of Lamar’s major label debut good kid, m.A.A.d. city.
Listen to Episode 2 on iTunes: iTunes.com/dissect
good kid, m.A.A.d. city spans one pivotal day in Lamar’s teenage upbringing in Compton, California. The album’s protagonist, Kendrick himself at age 16, is jumped by gangbangers in front of Sherene’s house, Kendrick’s girlfriend at the time. Kendrick and his friends retaliate, leaving one of Kendrick’s best friends dead in his arms.
While debating whether to retaliate once again, Kendrick and his friends are approached by an old woman, who leads the children in the Sinner’s Prayer. This sets Kendrick on a new path, dedicating his life towards family, God, and music.
Thematically, the album explores the idea of a good kid in a mad city and the ways in which one’s environment influences can taint the purity inherent in us all. He also battles to reconcile his love and resentment for his hometown of Compton.
Lamar’s next album, To Pimp a Butterfly, is in many ways a sequel to good kid, m.A.A.d. city. It’s for this reason that we’ve dedicated an entire episode to understanding its message and narrative arc.
Dissect is hosted by City Scout Magazine.
Season Premiere Live on iTunes
We begin our season long examination of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly with the history of Compton, California and Lamar’s transformation from K Dot, a young mixtape rapper, to Kendrick Lamar, a true artist.
If you enjoy what you hear, please consider rating and reviewing on iTunes. It really helps.
Listen now: iTunes.com/dissect
Season 1 Coming Aug. 23rd
Dissect podcast Season 1 offers arguably the most in-depth analysis of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly.
