I Remember When I Thought Kendrick Lamar Was JUST Another Rapper. Here's Why That Changed...
His most recent single, "i" has brought performing and the cannon of Hip Hop music to new heights. In the midst of all that is going on, the world needs to hear and see a man of color proclaiming to the world that he loves himself. Who does he think he is?
I remember thinking "who is this" when I saw him live. I was front and center at the 2011 SpelHouse homecoming thinking; it must be just another rapper. Blah, blah, cars, money, women...etc.
Even when his and my jam Poetic Justice blazed the radios last year I thought-oh that's Kendrick from our homecoming! Look at him being cute- appreciating women and still being lyrically talented...and stuff.
BUT after watching the SNL performance I could not stop thinking about this man. This song plays in my head, every other day. I had to blog about it. I first saw it on my Facebook page. Someone posted it and captioned "The ancestors would be proud." I am sure they would be. I haven't seen a rapper perform with this much purpose since...since...well, I don't know. Along with the fact that it samples a track from The Isley Brothers (one of my favorite groups), starts off with a dedication to those in the "homies in the penitentiary", or that it makes me feel like dancing and singing along and out loud to the world that I LOVE MYSELF! I don't know what to like more about this song. The delivery or the content. Well done, sir.
Around the end of last year I was visiting a friend in central Florida and we stopped to at a convenience store. The store was having a "grand-opening" and right outside I saw a man standing outside of the store handing out free testers of his bbq sauce with pulled pork. Of course, me being a fatty foodie I walked over very quickly to see what this was about. Besides, my dad and brother are the CHAMPS of homemade bbq sauces and ribs so I just had to test the competition. The sign read "No Name" barbecue sauce and after tasting thought it was pretty good! I am all about supporting the hustle and hard work but just did not have any cash or really a need for bbq sauce at the moment. I told him how good it was, wished him well, and passed on it. The story doesn't end there...
A few months later, miles away from central Florida, I was with another group of friends enjoying a chili cook-off festival. We stopped at a small corner store for the bathroom. I walked into the store and THERE HE WAS AGAIN! I was shocked, excited, and impressed. I walked over to the man pictured above at his makeshift stand and introduced myself. I found it so hard to believe that I met this man again after thinking I would never ever see him again. Had to mean something. First I took a tester-again-and ate it. I told him how inspiring he was to me, and he shared his stories of how he is really working hard for his brand to take off and looking forward to his sauce getting in major grocery stores one day. I had no choice. I purchased a bottle of the very tasty sauce and went about my day feeling amazed.
Today, I finally finished the sauce and it made me think of him. This whole thing has taught me that if you have a dream you have to work for it. Nothing is going to be easy and you have to keep working despite who may not "believe" in you. It also taught me to never give up. What if somewhere in between the first and second time we met, he decided to stop making sauce? He would have never gotten my purchase the second time around. Looking at my empty bottle I thought about how it represents a dream...and the fulfillment (big or small) of your dreams that transpires through hard work and never giving up.
Dinner,
Pulled "No Name" BBQ Chicken, Brown Rice, and Broccoli
