Season 5 begins NOW.

Season 5 dissects Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize winning album, DAMN.

A direct continuation of To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN. tells the story of conflicted prophet Kung Fu Kenny who rejects God’s call to prophesy in order to pursue sex, money, and murder. We follow Kenny as he attempts to reverse his curses into blessings.

Listen to Episode 1 on Spotify now (and a week later everywhere else).

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: iPhoneStitcherGoogle PlayiTunes

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: iPhoneStitcherGoogle PlayiTunes

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
Donate via Paypal or secure credit card transaction by clicking button below. If you qualify for a donation perk(s), please specify your item choice in the notes. For shirts, please include size (S-XL).

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: iPhoneStitcherGoogle PlayiTunes

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: iPhoneStitcherGoogle PlayiTunes

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”

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”

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”