The hip-hop music scene has been an ever changing force in the world of sound and culture. Once thought of as a lifestyle only enjoyed by minorities, mainly African Americans, is now a cultural phenomenon. Hip-hop and rap are digested by fans and critics alike of all backgrounds, with radio hits and Billboard toppers coming in new forms. Drake has dominated the game of popularity, with his number 1 song “One Dance” reaching over one billion streams on Spotify. However, there is a caveat; the rise of hip-hop has brought along a watered down version of itself in order to appeal to the masses. Much of the game of rap music has become a popularity contest, focusing on image and lifestyle rather than lyricism and technical ability. Despite its current state and massive value, the next step for hip-hop and rap music is to figure out how we can harness this cultural power and use it further for …show more content…
In a GQ interview with fellow hip-hop community member Rick Rubin, Lamar says this: “I’m in a space where … for me to feel an idea, the concept has to come from me.” To Pimp a Butterfly is a great insight into his creative process. The material he puts out shows his thoughts on how his personal experiences will relate to others, and how he can extrapolate these experiences intertwined with racial and political issues in order to begin a conversation, something that hip-hop has always thrived off of. As well, Lamar brings a musical style previously unseen in mainstream rap. He challenges the norm with a relentless flurry of jazz instrumentation, citing influences such as Herbie Hancock (Lamar). This is yet another example of Lamar’s own creativity putting together an inherently cultural album. Jazz began through black culture, with pioneers like Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong. Lamar uses these roots as another element to signify the culture of African Americans that To Pimp a Butterfly