3 Powerful Reasons 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Impacts Hip Hop

Kendrick Lamar has spoken. The release of his 3rd solo album has shaken the foundation
of Hip Hop. For those who are not hip and up to date, Kendrick Lamar is a 27 year old rapper (he prefers to be called a storyteller). In 2012 he made his mark in the game with his first major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city. To Pimp A Butterfly engraves this mark even more. Here are three ways in which his album is impacting Hip Hop.

1. It is Insightful: To Pimp A Butterfly is embedded with inspiration and historical references. It is worthy enough for a college class to analyze and critique. It touches on critical theory, Nelson Mandela, Exodus 14, respectability politics and etc. In "Hood Politics" he mocks Washington politicians by incorporating the names of L.A gangs (DemoCrips and ReBloodicans) who he says call them thugs why also being the perpetrator. He also attempts to express the grievances, the frustrations, inspiration and creative power of the youth culture. 
2. It Is 'Cool' : To Pimp A Butterfly was the most anticipated album of the year. The success from his last album left fans and critics dying to see if he could live up to the hype he created. His aspirations to go beyond commercial success and his ability to be his own person (not letting the industry dictate his content) also contributed to the anticipation of this album. The albums social awareness theme would have had a MUCH harder time being accepted than it is now. Right now it is the topic of discussion. Kendrick Lamar is in the position to use Hip Hop as a political and social influence as what Hip Hop (not rap) should be doing. 
3. It is Unapologetic:  We live in a world were people often feel uncomfortable expressing their inner thoughts or beliefs for reasons such as fear of being misunderstood or bashed or even to avoid awkwardness. With Hip Hop being consumed by a decent amount of every race, artists tend to not go to deep into touchy topics. Kendrick Lamar is an exception. He details the mental and emotional impact of living in the 'hood' or poverty stricken cities as an African American child. His delivery is rough, brutal, and unapologetic. In Blacker the Berry he states unabashedly destroys black stereotypes; "My hair is nappy/ My d*** is big/ My nose is round and wide? You hate me, don't you?/ You hate my people/ Your plan is to terminate my culture/ I want you to recognize that I'm a proud monkey". Kendrick does not just play the blame game in this album. He also points the finger back at the black community to demonstrate how they play a part in their own destruction. In "Blacker the Berry" he questions why black people get extremely riled up when a white cop kills a black man but do not demonstrate the same frustrations towards black on black crime.

Hip Hop's purpose is to be a cultural movement. To Pimp A Butterfly's psychedelic and abrasive honesty is putting culture back into music.The album as a sense of urgency to it. It isn't your typical trip down memory lane. It is a reflection of the present and how it is shaped by internal and external forces. It forces you to choose to either stay ignorant or figure out your place in the grander scheme of reality.

It seem as if Kendrick Lamar is not the only one with a sense of urgency. Jay Z recently launched the first Artist owned streaming music service--TIDAL. Be sure to stop by again to find out exactly how game changing TIDAL is.