“The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.” This proverbial phrase has been repurposed to mirror racial problems in America countless times. From Wallace Thurman’s novel during the Harlem Renaissance to the first lines of Tupac Shakur’s “Keep Ya Head Up”, few references to the twisted words of wisdom have been as heavy and accusatory as Kendrick Lamar’s most recent release. After starting the song with the classic Kendrick vocals similar to those in “Bitch Don’t Kill my Vibe”, the song releases into a hard, bass heavy beat and Kendrick’s violent, whisper-screams. And though the style of rapping is out of control and accusatory towards all white people, the actual lyrics are anything but. Lamar explains why, although race is still an incredibly prevalent issue, the hatred towards the white men who killed 21st century martyrs such as Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, is entirely hypocritical, considering the gang violence that Lamar experienced growing up in Compton. This song is a rare combination of gangster rap and intelligent lyricism, and is a must-listen for rap fans.

Until next time, Joel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AhXSoKa8xw