Isaiah Bates Mr. Beshwate English 102-12 25 April 2024 Kendrick Lamar Uses Poetry In His Songs In today’s rap game, only a handful of artists are truly making poetry with their words and influence. Despite the rap/music industry, Kendrick Lemar stands out as a prime example who embraces the role of a rapper while embodying the essence of a modern-day poet within the rap genre. Throughout his career, Kendrick Lamar has consistently transcended the traditional boundaries of being a rapper, not only because of his astounding lyrical ability to address complex social issues in our world. Lemar’s music resonates deeply with listeners by sharing personal experiences of the struggles and challenges you face as a black man in America. In dissecting …show more content…
Mentioning themes and topics of social pressures and substance abuse that others may be struggling with. Kendrick uses a reflective tone, using his personal struggles he has with alcohol in “Swimming Pools”. In the beginning and throughout the song Lemar refrains the verse saying “Pour up (Drank), head shot (Drank) Sit down (Drank), stand up (Drank) Pass out (Drank), wake up (Drank) Faded (Drank), faded (Drank)”(Lemar Swimming Pools). This line references the addiction to alcoholism and how it can have a hold on you that will jeopardize your life. From those lines, Lemar vividly describes the effects of alcoholism relating to anyone with an alcohol addiction or who has seen someone in the cycle of alcoholism where it may feel like they are just drowning in a swimming pool of liquor. It not only shows the challenges faced by him and others, but also highlights the broader problem of substance abuse and how it harms communities and the people around us. Lemar's depiction of these lyrics and songs points out the attraction and the hazards of alcohol to serve as a warning to the listeners to think about the outcomes of their choices and even seek help if