K Dot breaks down tracks from the album
Kendrick Lamar has been making serious media rounds the past week or two, hitting up some of the biggest outlets to talk about his first number one album To Pimp A Butterfly. It seemed like everyone asked him about certain things from the record, but none have been as real and serious as this interview with MTV.
During the 4-part sit down with K Dot, he breaks down most of the records on the album and shares his thoughts on making them. For instance, he told the story of what touched him enough to craft “How Much A Dollar Cost,” after meeting a homeless man in Johannesburg, South Africa. He also talked about going through depression and having suicidal thoughts and why he shared that on the album, more to be a leader and a voice for those who may be going through the same thing he is.
He credits a lot of how he deals with experiences by his faith and hearing what God has to say through people, even with the temptation of evil, which he refers to on the album as “Lucy.”
The message behind “Mortal Man”
After watching a lot of what the world is going through with Ferguson, Trayvon Martin and others, Kendrick felt it was necessary to speak on the truths of the world. If anything, he hopes that him speaking of the ills of the world today can help someone from this generation or the next deal with those experiences in a more positive way.
Finally, Dot spoke on “Mortal Man” and how it came about, feeling blessed that Afeni Shakur gave him permission to use the interview he received in Germany and how blown away he was to see kids looking up to him at the Compton Swap Meet, the same way he looked up at 2pac back when he was filming the video to “California Love.” Although he doesn’t see himself as a voice for the generation yet (much like Tupac, Malcolm X, Michael Jackson or Nelson Mandela), he’s willing to accept the responsibility of it and has done so with this album, speaking on the topics he has on there.
You can watch all four parts over at MTV’s Youtube page.
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