Kendrick Lamar's Powerful Political Pieces

gnx album cover art

Kendrick Lamar isn’t just any rapper, but one of the greatest rappers of the 21st century. His music involves deep introspection into his mind and its inner workings, his famous Hollywood lifestyle and how it affects him. Not only that, but he touches even more on the political state of America and how that too deeply affects him.

Politics is something that is vastly addressed by Lamar throughout his eight albums and something that countless people have praised him for. His authenticity and bluntness are traits not found in other rappers’ lyrics.

Lamar’s 2015 song “Alright” is deeply connected with the Black Lives Matter movement. In years after the songs release, protesters often would chant the chorus “We gon’ be alright.” In one line, Lamar sings “And we hate the po-po / Wanna kill us dead in the street for sure.” This line had a huge impact on Americans, as someone famous voiced what many already knew: police officers have been unlawfully murdering Black people. This line received hate from Fox News, with anchor Geraldo Rivera saying, “This is why I say that hip-hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism in recent years.”

Clapback!

When I tell you Lamar got the last laugh, I’m not joking. He sampled this clip from Fox News on his 2017 song DNA,which ended up being named as the 31st best song of the year by Billboard and outplayed that clip by tenfold.

On his same 2017 album, DAMN., Lamar drops a song entitled XXX featuring U2 that explores politics on a deeper level. Lyrics including “The great American flag is wrapped and dragged in explosives” and

“Homicidal thoughts, Donald Trump’s in office / We lost Barack and promised to never doubt him again / But is America honest or do we bask in sin? … / You overnight the big rifles, then tell Fox to be scared of us / Gang members or terrorists, et cetera, et cetera / America’s reflections of me, that’s what a mirror does”

— Kendrick Lamar

It comments on how Black people are often villainized for speaking up about the racism they face. Instead of lending a helping hand, those in power dismiss and quiet the fears that Black people are subjected to at the hands of the government and agencies like Fox News.

Kendrick lamar and obama via dani marsland

Kendrick X POTUS

Beyond his music, Lamar met with then-President Barack Obama, whom he mentions multiple times in his lyrics. During the meeting, they discussed how best to help underprivileged neighborhoods of America and how support and mentorship of youth is undoubtably important. Lamar admitted having a mentor shaped him into the person he’s become.

To Pimp A Butterfly

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His most political work by far is his 2015 album entitled To Pimp A Butterfly. The album cover depicts him and a group of fellow black friends in front of the White House, standing in front of a dead White State Senator. This image speaks on the racial inequality that is rooted in America’s justice system. Political themes remain a strength on songs such as “The Blacker The Berry”, “Hood Politics” and “Mortal Man.”

In “Mortal Man”, Lamar references multiple prominent Black leaders like Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. In the outro, Lamar includes excerpts from a 1994 interview with Tupac Shakur where he discusses a multitude of things from wealth to racism. For example, Tupac says, “The ground is gonna open up and swallow the evil… / And the ground is the symbol for the poor people / The poor people is gonna open up this whole world / And swallow up the rich people.”

Lamar doesn’t only discuss racial issues, but wealth disparities as well. He often notes the crossover between these two, as Black people are in many parts of America set up for economic failure. Because of the systemic lack of care, Lamar is aware of the disadvantages he and other Black people face. As a now-famous rapper, he is dedicated to being a beacon of light for youth who don’t see improvement in sight. He knows how it feels, as he speaks openly about being from a disparaged neighborhood himself. He knows how important mentorship and spreading information is. Lamar uses his platform for the best— to spread important knowledge on meaningful political topics.

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Willow loves creativity. She can be very quiet sometimes. She can also get annoying with her weird tangents, but sometimes they’re interesting. She likes to relax, and play The Sims. She goes to Algonquin College currently in the Professional Writing program. She suffers part-time working hard at an unnamed restaurant. She enjoys crafts, artistic activities, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. She also loves therapy. That picture is not her.

Fiona Apple: An Extraordinary Machine of a Mind

fiona apple via getty images

Nobody does it like Fiona Apple. She remains one of the strongest and smartest voices in the music scene, despite taking significant time from the spotlight between her releases. Throughout five albums, Apple creates a unique perspective and sound that cannot be found anywhere else. Each of her songs are perfectly crafted to invoke a certain emotion that only she could make you feel. I could rave on and on about her numerous songs and the layered meanings behind each of them, but for both of our sakes I’ll discuss my favourite song from my favourite albums.

Tidal: Shadowboxer

In her debut album, Apple sings about a variety of emotions that she faces. In her very first single, Shadowboxer, she outlines a toxic relationship, where the subject of the song comes and goes in Apple’s life, regardless of her state. He’s playing her, but she doesn’t seem to care, as she wants him so much.

“I was on to every play / I just wanted you.”

— Shadowboxer, Fiona Apple

Tidal cover art

She’s conflicted. She fears letting him in will allow him to hurt her more, but she wants to let him in, as she’s enraptured by him and his wavering interest in her. The strongest lyrics come from the chorus, where she sings “You made me a shadowboxer, baby / I wanna be ready for what you do / I've been swinging around me / Cause I don't know when you're gonna make your move” A shadowboxer is someone who practices boxing without a partner present. So, it’s a boxer fighting the air. As Apple feels unsafe in the relationship’s dynamic, she must fight the air. She must practice her defenses and be ready for his next attack, even if it’s not presently there. Her harsh vocals and deep singing voice bring a vulnerability and rage to the lyrics that screams vulnerability. She’s learning she must be wary of his advances; she must learn to defend herself from him, despite being completely enamored by him. Her emotions come through exquisitely in this song.

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Extraordinary Machine: Extraordinary Machine

Her third album entitled Extraordinary Machine was released in 2005. Apple names the song Extraordinary Machine a ‘pep talk to herself.’ She compares herself to a machine that knows how to optimize her progress as a person. In the first verse, she says “I still only travel by foot and by foot it's a slow climb / But I'm good at being uncomfortable so / I can't stop changing all the time” which contrasts her lyrics in the second verse, “I noticed that my opponent is always on the go / And / Won't go slow, so 's not to focus, and I notice / He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as / They go fast from whence he came / But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so / He can't stop staying exactly the same” Apple notes that her comfort with discomfort leads to her being able to grow and improve in a way her opponent is not able to. She is big on being truthful with herself and open to growth, as this song represents.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters: I Want You To Love Me

fetch the bolt cutters cover art

Apple’s fifth and most recent album, released in 2020, is in a way an ode to the pandemic. In the song I Want You To Love Me, she accepts her life experiences, both positive and negative, for getting her to the place she is today. While based off the title it seems to be another love song, this song delves into an important theme of self-love. Apple made the most of these experiences, instead of wallowing. Most notably, she sings “I move with the trees in the breeze / I know that time is elastic / And I know when I go / All my particles disband and disperse / And I'll be back in the pulse / And I know none of this will matter in the long run / But I know a sound is still a sound around no one” These lyrics are absolutely soothing to me, like she’s telling herself everything will be alright because she knows how to handle situations better than she has before. She’s grown exponentially as a person. The chorus is a repetition of “I hope that you love me” I view the subject in this song as herself. She seems to have been waiting a long time to gain this love, and struggling to do so. She says she wants somebody to want. Well, in my opinion that somebody she wants to want is herself. She wants the stability of self-love, she doesn’t want to be her own worst enemy anymore. This song portrays that perfectly.

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Willow loves creativity. She can be very quiet sometimes. She can also get annoying with her weird tangents, but sometimes they’re interesting. She likes to relax, and play The Sims. She goes to Algonquin College currently in the Professional Writing program. She suffers part-time working hard at an unnamed restaurant. She enjoys crafts, artistic activities, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. She also loves therapy. That picture is not her.

The Tragically Hip: Quintessentially Canadian

What is ‘Canadian music’? There are many ways we could define it, but it’s almost a guarantee that The Tragically Hip fits every definition. The Hip is uniquely and utterly Canadian. Every song and every lyric seep Canadiana.

Canadian poetry

The tragically hip at the 2005 juno awards. Photo: Juno Awards

“He’s our Shakespeare,” Ron MacLean said of late Hip frontman Gord Downie. Downie was famous for his lyricism. He captured Canadian-isms in a way no one else did. In, “Fireworks,” he sings, “you said you didn’t give a fuck about hockey / and I never saw someone say that before.” Hockey is so entrenched in Canadian culture; it’s such a simple line, yet it could only have been written by a Canadian.

One of the band’s hits is entitled, “Bobcaygeon,” the name of a small town in Ontario. Downie mentions Algonquin Park in, “The Bear,” polar bears in, “Thompson Girl,” an Ontario prison in, “38 Years Old.” The Hip’s body of work references niche Canadian-isms that a foreigner couldn’t truly appreciate.  

Darker Canadian history

The Tragically Hip was never afraid to tackle heavier Canadian stories either. “Fifty-Mission Cap” references the mysterious disappearance of Toronto Maple Leaf’s player Bill Barilko. Barilko went missing on a fishing trip in Northern Ontario. His body was found over a decade later. The case of his death has never been solved. Downie refers to the suspicious circumstances as he sings, “Bill Barilko disappeared that summer / He was on a fishing trip / The last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the Cup / They didn’t win another ‘til 1962 / The year he was discovered.”

The story of David Milgaard, a man falsely accused of rape and imprisoned for 23 years, is told in, “Wheat Kings.” The song mentions the breaking news of Milgaard’s 1992 release on CBC. Downie said:

“[It’s] about David Milgaard and his faith in himself. And about his mother, Joyce, and her absolute faith in her son’s innocence. And about our big country and its faith in man’s fallibility. And about Gail Miller, all those mornings ago, just lying there, all her faith bleeding out into that Saskatoon snowbank.”

It’s a powerful image and a powerful story. Downie’s choice to reflect on what it means to our country is so Tragically Hip and so Canadian.

Solo work

Separate from the band, Gord Downie’s project, “Secret Path,” confronted the tragic history of the Canadian residential school system. It combines Downie’s solo album and Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel into an animated film. It tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy who died while trying to escape a residential school. He was so far from home, but he tried his best to get back. Downie says, “His story is Canada’s story… … We are all accountable….” All proceeds from this project went to the Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation. Downie’s work encapsulates all that Canada is – the good and the ugly.

Informing the Canadian identity

The Tragically Hip’s quintessentially Canadian identity is so powerful that it’s even educational. Lindsay Pereira, a writer and immigrant to Canada, said the band helped shape her understanding of our country’s culture. She had never heard of the band before immigrating to Canada and was confused as to how they could be so idolized here. The local names and places mentioned throughout the band’s discography painted a picture for her. The Hip’s casual lifestyle and rejection of celebrity captured the essence of the Canadian rockstar. The adoration of Hip fans showed her a unity and spirit that is uniquely Canadian.

Impact on Canadian music

Arkells in Kingston 2024 Photo: @nathannash_ via @arkellsmusic

Many Canadian artists credit The Tragically Hip as an inspiration. Dallas Green of City and Colour said, “If you’re a musician and you’re born in Canada, it’s in your DNA to like the Tragically Hip.” Leah Fay of July Talk said her first Hip concert was singular and transformational. Canadian rapper K-os said the band played a key role in him pursuing music.

Feist, a Nova Scotia-born indie artist, has covered the band’s tune, “Flamenco.” Hamilton-based group Arkells have covered many Hip songs and regularly perform them at concerts. Even Justin Bieber did a mini cover of, “Wheat Kings,” at a 2012 show. The Hip has shaped what Canadian music is today.

Legacy

The Tragically Hip left a lyrical imprint on Canada that will last forever. Gord Downie’s investment in Canadian identity is what cemented him as an icon. In 2017, Downie sadly passed away from terminal brain cancer. The band performed their final show a year prior. Over 11.7 million Canadians tuned in to watch – 11.7 million people, united in sadness, support and pure adoration for the band and the man. That is the legacy of the Tragically Hip.

The Tragically Hip perform, “Ahead by a Century,” at their final show. Video: The Tragically Hip

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Anna Farinaccio is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Anna’s parents raised her on a wide range of music. They taught her about the significant role music plays in society and culture. She grew up pursuing many creative passions, such as dance and theatre. These passions led her to a career in writing. Musicians and their influence inspire Anna everyday. A long-time punk fan, the first song she added to her childhood MP3 player was The Clash’s, “Train in Vain.” 

The Many Layers of Slim Shady

Photo: intrld.com

MY NAME IS, WHAT? MY NAME IS, WHO? MY NAME IS…

Slim Shady, otherwise known as Eminem or Marshal Bruce Mathers, is one of the most influential and iconic names in the music industry. With over 220 million records sold worldwide and a career spanning more than two decades, Eminem has not only proven his prowess as a rapper but also revolutionized the hip-hop genre.

“I come from Detroit where it's rough, and I'm not a smooth talker.” - Eminem

Born on October 6th, 1972, Eminem grew up in the poor, dangerous neighborhoods of Detroit. His father left the family when Eminem was an infant. Eminem’s efforts to communicate with him by writing letters were futile, so he eventually gave up. He, his half-brother, Nathan, and his mother Debbie were barely getting by.

In his earlier songs, Eminem rapped about his mom being a drug addict and abusing her children. Eventually, Debbie sued him but only won $25,000. However, in 2014, Eminem confessed that he had wrongfully blamed his mom for his tough childhood. In his song, “Confession”, Eminem says:

“Now I know it’s not your fault, and I’m not making jokes. But ma, I forgive you, so does Nathan yo.”

Eminem dropped out of school when he was 17 after failing grade nine three times. In many of his tracks, Eminem mentions how brutally he was bullied, to the point where he once ended up in a coma.

photo: bing.com

Despite these hardships, Eminem often says that growing up in such conditions made him who he is today. In his song “Never Enough”, he says:

“I'm thankful for the talent in which God gave me

And I'm thankful for the environment that he placed me

Believe it or not, I thank my mom for how she raised me

In the neighborhood daily that jumped and chased me

It only made me what I am today, see…”

May I have Your Attention Please

When he was 14 years old, Eminem was introduced to hip-hop by his late uncle Ronnie Mathers. He instantly loved the genre and began performing in clubs around Detroit.

His first album, Infinite (1996), wasn’t a success. However, the Rap Olympics proved to be a turning point in his career. Not only did he win second place, he also caught the attention of D.R. Dre, who ended up signing him. With Dre, Eminem released his album The Slim Shady LP (1999), featuring the iconic track “My Name Is”, which sold millions of albums and won two Grammys.

After gaining attention in the music industry, Eminem started challenging its norms and pushing its boundaries. Hip-hop was dominated by men rapping about women, gangs, money, and often romanticized drugs. Eminem broke that “strong man” image and was not afraid to be vulnerable in his tracks. Eminem connected to people all around the world by rapping about the dark side of drug addiction, domestic violence, and mental health.

Lyrical Technician, An Electrician

Eminem’s rap was unlike any other’s. He rhymed words that were impossible to rhyme by manipulating their sounds or blending them with other words to create a rhythm. In fact, he often used the words themselves to create rhythm rather than simply depending on the end of bars.

With his song “Rap God”, Eminem broke records. In the 6.4-minute track, he packed 1,560 words, and in a 15-second segment, he spit 6.64 words per second.

Eminem’s music videos have been an event in their own right. They have always felt cinematic—an entire story unfolding while he rapped.
The videos were punchy and comical, with “Houdini” being his latest success.

“I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There's no in-between. People will either love you for it or hate you for it.” - Eminem

One of the biggest reasons I love Eminem is that he says whatever’s on his mind. While I tend to choose my words more carefully (she ain’t no rap god), I believe being authentic—no matter how blunt—is an admirable approach.

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Rana is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College, and an unapologetic science nerd who gets excited by the simplest facts. Music has been a constant companion in Rana’s life. She finds solace through the classic melodies of the piano, cello and violin; escapes the world’s chaos through a good Imagine Dragons song; and rages at life through an Eminem masterpiece.  

But above all, music is her tether to her heritage—Lebanon. Growing up, she was surrounded by her parents' music tastes. She holds these sounds proudly and revisits them whenever nostalgia hits. Through this blog, Rana hopes to weave together her passions for writing, science, and music. Tune in!