#alright kendrick lamar

[paper-mario-wiki]

im not the type to listen to albums front-to-back and instead tend to just drift from song to disconnected song as i discover them, so i'd not done this previously, but i just listened to To Pimp A Butterfly (with a few crying breaks between tracks), and man. that's something. that was really fucking something. that is some of the purest expressions of humanity in art that ive ever ingested.

in case you've got the same music-drifting habits that i do and need something that really stands out to stir you to sit and pay attention to something purely auditory, here's a music video for one of the songs, which i only saw for the first time last night, and it made me REALLY want to know what the full story in this album is.

[lzrdprsn]

[thashining]

When democrats lose

[flossytiptin]

Doechii in Nissan Altima Swamp Sessions music video with TDE fam referencing Kendrick Lamar in Alright music video

[letz-smoke-zaza]

« I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. » — Angela Y. Davis

[thebohemianloner]

Easton, Pennsylvania

[worldwide-blackfolk]

Bless this fam — We Gonna Be Alright! 👍🏾🤟🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[eunoia444]

( Music on )

[darth-maya]

The song of the day is

Kendrick Lamar - Alright

[sun-marie]

this whole discussion around rap is a reminder for me how silly the concept of loving/hating and ENTIRE GENRE of music is to me.

Like. Do y'all have any idea how much music there is in the world. I can Guarantee you every genre has AT LEAST ONE song that clicks with you, you just gotta find it

[strawface]

KENDRICK LAMAR / TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY (2015)

[nightbloomingcestrum]

there's no fail with this one

[vinnylignes]

"Alright" by Kendrick Lamar- A Culture Change

Few songs in the canon of hip-hop's socially aware songs have the same cultural and political significance as Kendrick Lamar's hit song "Alright" from To Pimp a Butterfly. The song, which was released in 2015, swiftly went beyond its musical origins to serve as a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. "Alright" captures the anguish and optimism of the Black experience in America with its eerily optimistic chorus, potent lyrics, and vibrant sound. "Alright" is more than simply a song; it is a cultural relic that addresses structural injustice, the lasting strength of fortitude, and the need for optimism in the struggle for equality.

A Soundtrack for Resilience

"Alright" is really about surviving. Its first words, "Alls my life, I has to fight," trace a legacy of tenacity in the face of institutionalized injustice and mirror the hardships endured by generations of African Americans. These lyrics establish a motif that runs throughout To Pimp a Butterfly: a song that strikes a balance between defiance and sadness. The joyful chorus of the song, "We gon' be alright," acts as a reminder that surviving is a kind of resistance and a motto for tenacity.

The song's resonance was enhanced by the date of its release. The killings of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice were among the high-profile instances of police brutality that occurred in the mid-2010s and rekindled national discussions about racial injustice. During protests in American cities, the chorus of "Alright" was chanted by demonstrators who were marching against police brutality. For activists who were struggling with the effects of institutional racism, Lamar's message of optimism served as an emotional lift.

"Alright" and the Black Lives Matter Movement

The Black Lives Matter movement gave "Alright" its most notable cultural footing, turning it into a musical representation of resiliency. By the time "Alright" was published, the movement, which started in 2013 following George Zimmerman's acquittal in the murder of Trayvon Martin, had become a significant force. "Alright" provided a counterpoint to the persistent sadness and wrath of communities impacted by police violence, which frequently served as the focal point of BLM rallies. Its upbeat melody served as a reminder to demonstrators that anger and optimism could coexist and that fighting for justice could be both draining and motivating.

In one especially noteworthy instance, demonstrators in Cleveland attempted to disperse the crowd and then sung the chorus of "Alright." In these situations, the song's message of survival and togetherness struck a deep chord, turning it from a personal hymn into a statement of the group.

As essential to "Alright's" effect as its words is its production. Pharrell Williams and Sounwave produced the song, which balances its weighty subject matter with a catchy tune, jazzy trumpets, and rhythmic percussion. While Lamar's flow veers between frantic and introspective, representing the song's dichotomy of despair and optimism, Pharrell's production gives the song a lively vitality.

Lamar traverses a complicated emotional terrain in his lyrics. He understands his personal problems and institutional injustice, but he does not allow them to define who he is. The cyclical nature of tyranny is captured in lines like "Wouldn't you know / We been hurt, been down before," and the chorus "We gon' be alright" acts as a vow of survival. The song's impact lies in this tension between strength and vulnerability, which enables it to speak to people on a personal and a societal level.

The Visuals: Amplifying the Message

The Little Homies and Colin Tilley's music video for "Alright" reinforces the song's standing as a cultural relic. The black-and-white film, which features scenes of police brutality alongside Lamar hovering above the city as a metaphor of spiritual transcendence, contrasts moments of beauty and savagery. In a particularly powerful moment, Lamar gets shot by a policeman and drops from the sky with a calm face. The images emphasize both the adversity of Black existence in America and the fortitude required to persevere.

The bizarre and metaphorical aspects of the video highlight the conflict between individual transcendence and social subjugation, echoing the themes of To Pimp a Butterfly as a whole. The music video transforms "Alright" from a song into an emotional artistic statement by fusing forceful lyrics with eye-catching imagery.

A Legacy of Protest Music

Following in the footsteps of songs like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," and Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," "Alright" is part of a long legacy of protest music in the Black community. Each of these songs uses music as a vehicle for social criticism and group healing, capturing a particular point in the continuous struggle for racial justice.

The duality of "Alright" is what distinguishes it; it offers optimism as a means of resistance while acknowledging suffering without giving in to it. As a timeless hymn for resiliency and a historical monument of the BLM period, this balance has allowed the song to remain relevant.

Critiques and Controversies

Despite being generally praised, "Alright" has generated some controversy. Critics contend that by providing a positive theme that might not accurately represent the lived reality of many, it runs the risk of oversimplifying the systematic basis of racism. Furthermore, some have critiqued the song's usage at rallies as performative, raising doubts about whether shouting "We gon' be alright" actually results in meaningful action.

However, these criticisms ignore how music can motivate and uphold movements. Bell Hooks, a scholar, points out that cultural objects like music may operate as "a catalyst for critical thinking," inspiring individuals to envision novel approaches to justice. Within this paradigm, "Alright" encourages introspection as well as action.

The influence of "Alright" is not limited to the US. It is a global song for social justice because its themes of resiliency and structural injustice speak to underprivileged groups everywhere. The song has gained a global audience, highlighting the connections between campaigns for equality, from anti-racism marches in Europe to protests against police brutality in Brazil.

The song's appeal is further increased by Lamar's widespread praise. His work as a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist goes beyond hip-hop, making him a global spokesperson for creative quality and social justice.A cultural staple that encapsulates the complexity of the Black experience in America, "Alright" is more than just a protest song. Its ongoing significance attests to the ability of music to uplift, heal, and inspire. "Alright" will continue to play a significant role in the cultural discourse for many years to come because of Kendrick Lamar's unique fusion of lyrical genius, explosive production, and visual narrative."Alright" conveys a straightforward yet impactful message in the midst of institutional racism and social division: optimism is a radical act, and perseverance is resistance. Those four words, "We gon' be alright," are a promise and a call to action for a generation that is fighting for justice and equality.

[sagethegremlin]

uh oh! <-girl who listened to a song too many times and suddenly got a fic idea

[mahou-no-momo]

"WE GON BE ALRIGHT"

[umbrellagoaway]

WHAT CHU WANT?

YOU A HOUSE?

YOU A CAR?

40 ACERS AND A MULE?

A PIANO?

A GUTAR?

ANYTHING!

SAY MY NAME IS UNCLE SAM/LUCY IM YOUR DAWG

MOTHERFUCKER YOU COULD LIVE AT THE MALL