The store isn’t closed until the store closes. That means, the doors are open to go shop.
Yes, you still can shop, even if it’s a few minutes before the store is closed.
The inventory inside still has value. The cashier might want to leave, but she’ll stay.
You don’t do anyone in the situation any favor by holding off. So if you need something, go ahead and buy.
It’s still good.
Music has control when in connects. The notes seem to dance, and when combined with lyrics it finds itself with power. These powers can range from moving us into a better direction to pushing people to give their lives. At that point, it’s consumable to the soul. Only the best of the best have the energy to connect to that power.
Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly finds itself in that class.
Sonically, To Pimp a Butterfly sounds crafted. The production, mostly handled by the in-house team at Top Dawg Entertainment, has that personal touch you can’t get by bringing in outside sound. It’s crafted for Kendrick Lamar and it shows.
Additionally, you will find all matter of black music roped around this album. Funk, soul, and jazz are everywhere – and it doesn’t apologize for it. Kendrick Lamar runs away from popular sound and he rewards us with a unique listening experience. There is range – From the springy funk inspired “King Kunta” to the soulful Ron Isley assisted “How Much a Dollar Cost”. This album pays homage to the music that came before it while not being a lazy copy.
Some of the topics laid on the table when listening on this album are heavy, and that’s where it finds its strength and staying power. “And if I told your secrets The world will know money can’t stop a suicidal weakness.” that discuss his internal struggles on “u” are on the same LP with “Fuck am I s’posed to do when I’m lookin’ at walkin’ licks? The constant big money talk about mansions and foreign whips The private jets and passports, presidential glass floor Gold bottles, gold models, sniffin’ up the ass forInstagram flicks, suck a dick, fuck is this?” on “Institutionalized” that tie into his new-found external problems that come with being a kid from the hood that want to bring his friends into the world of success.
There are plenty of uplifting moments on To Pimp a Butterfly. The previous single “i” has gotten a tune-up. Once a studio single now finds itself transformed into a live performance in the same jungle that birthed Kendrick. It turns the song into something more electric, and in addition, he adds a verse about black history that pushes the song into a more powerful realm. It turns from a song that is great to listen to into a song that needs requires listening.
Music is power. Great music has the power to tether us to causes, times, and feelings. As Kendrick Lamar says in his “interview” with Tupac at the end of “Mortal Man” – ” In my opinion, only hope that we kinda have left is music and vibrations, lotta people don’t understand how important it is. Sometimes I be like, get behind a mic and I don’t know what type of energy I’mma push out, or where it comes from. Trip me out sometimes”. That is the greatest gift an artist can give, to give to that in a meaningful way. I am convinced To Pimp a Butterfly not only does so, but should manage to find itself feeding the art for years to come.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 