Analyzing Kendrick Lamar's DNA: Identity, Legacy, and Cultural Evolution. Ryan McHenry, Department of Sociology, Coastline Community College. SOC 185: Analysis of Social Problems. Professor Sasha Montero. May 13, 2024. Analyzing Kendrick Lamar's DNA: Identity, Legacy, and Cultural Evolution DNA has had a major impact on the African American community in a good way; it highlights the way they are viewed in the media and how there are prejudices against them. Hip-hop as a genre has been frowned upon by many people who think it is bad, the genre itself teaches people to embrace sin because no one is perfect and everyone has the struggles they go through. DNA has also amazingly covered the BLM protest because it has helped the black community …show more content…
Through his words, Kendrick Lamar not only captures the complexity of the human identity but also pushes the limits and expectations placed upon individuals by society, which is the whole meaning of functionalism. This theory can relate to racial/ethnic groups because it is the main cause of racism since they are supposed to be held to societal norms and lack of representation in the media for other ethnic groups can have a severe impact on the culture. The lack of representation in media perpetuates stereotypes and reinforces the marginalization of racial and ethnic groups, exacerbating cultural dissonance and hindering social cohesion. Here is an example of where Kendrick Lamar denies functionalism and represents individuality, “Tell me somethin' You motherf*ckers can't tell me nothin' I'd rather die than to listen to you My DNA not for imitation Your DNA an abomination This how it is when you in the Matrix Dodgin' bullets, reapin' what you sow And stackin' up the footage, livin' on the go And sleepin' in a villa”. He expresses a sense of rejection, imitation, and a declaration of self-empowerment, suggesting a desire to break free from the constraints imposed by societal structures. His rejection of imitation and embrace of self-empowerment can be interpreted as a critique of functionalist