Mantangi Autobiography

For as long as mankind has walked on this earth, music has been an important part of our culture and lifestyles. Each walk of life beats to a different drum. Different cultures use music for many aspects of their lives; for religious purposes, for celebrations, for comfort, for sorrow, for relaxation, for sports, for dances, for energy, for learning, for sleeping, and for sexual experiences. Everyone uses music for something. Music connects with people and reaches them in ways that words simply cannot. Music is a representation of what feelings sound like. It expresses emotion and brings that characteristic out from within us; it tells us a story. Every generation has its’ own sound and different music styles have emerged and become

In the concept album, good kid m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar creates an autobiographical narrative that describes the societal pressures of growing up as a black teenager in Compton, and how his self-awareness and musical passion allowed him to escape from the city’s cycle of violence. Through the album’s storyline Kendrick makes the case that, despite coming from a hedonistic, gang infested city, he is able to transform into a puritan. Kendrick narrates this story through several different perspectives, including actual people from his life as well as his own psyche. Kendrick Lamar mainly invokes the persona of K.Dot, who is based on Kendrick’s actual seventeen year old self. This story begins from the first person perspective of naive K.Dot, who is characterized by a raspy, inflicted voice. The lyrics of this character show the ignorance and lack of direction in his life, as well his self-doubts and impressionability. It is eventually revealed that K.Dot has a passion for music. While K.Dot is a good kid at heart who is not gang affiliated, his innocence is tainted by the desires of the Compton lifestyle. After a violent encounter, a transformation begins to occurs from within K.Dot. He realizes that the negative influences of gang culture have corrupted him,

The impact that music has on individuals lives varies greatly from person to person and often provides a unique lifestyle to each individual. An author by the name Oliver Sacks talks about the unique cases that he has dealt with in the past in his writings. The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat and “Brainworms, Sticky Music, and Catchy Tunes” from Musicophilia are two articles written by Oliver Sacks, which show the relationship that music has on the mind and how music can change how a person perceives reality. The human mind is a complex machine and yet there is something about music that transforms a person’s thought process completely.

Music is a great thing that is a special part of everyone’s life. No one can go a single day without hearing some type of music and not fall in love with it. Music gives people that inspiration that they need, mentally and physically. It also takes on this role, where it gives many answers for people. Some songs even help people who are struggling with finding themselves.

By 2011 Lamar was finally immersed in the mainstream hip hop community. He had done tours and projects with many hip hop superstars such Lil Wayne, Tech N9ne, and Jay Rock. In 2011 he released his first studio album Section.80 with its two most popular songs “HiiiPower” and “ADHD” being lyrically based on injustices regarding his experiences growing up in a Compton, California ghetto. One excerpt from “ADHD” reads “You know when you part of section 80 and you feeling like no one can relate 'cause you are, you are a loner, loner Marijuana, endorphins make you stronger, stronger I'm in the house party trippin' off My generation sippin' cough syrup like its water Never no pancakes in the kitchen. Man, no wonder our lives is caught up in the daily superstition.” When analyzing these lyrics it is important to understand that Kendrick Lamar means by “Section 80”. He is referring to the generation of people born in the 80’s a time where America, especially in lower income areas, was exposed to the crack cocaine epidemic. The same activism was seen in his second album good kid m.A.A.d city, which was released in 2012. “m.A.A.d city” is a song on the album as well and has such a powerful message behind in. “Would you say my intelligence now is great relief? And it's safe to say that our next generation maybe can sleep. With dreams of being a lawyer or doctor. Instead of boy with a chopper that hold the cul

The questionable lyrics in most rap music present a teaching moment for the guardians of adolescents.. The care-givers of the future generations have the chance to depict the rap music as simply a form of entertainment and not a set of values to adopt. This music gives parents a chance to illustrate what kind of world we currently reside in, and gives the parents a chance to arm their children with the morals they will need to thrive

Kendrick Lamar’s debut album ‘Good Kid M.A.D.D City’ spoke out on behalf of the gang-riddled environment and loss of innocence he experienced while growing up in Compton. His jump with ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ took his experiences a step further by sparking a revolution. It speaks as a rally cry for millennials protesting the Black Lives Matter movement. Recently there have been

Music, one element of life although altered, molded, and crafted has continued to strike the curiosity in our imagination from century to century. Music is an experience for everyone from the most musically devoted students and teachers to the concert audience and even the individuals simply listening to the radio throughout their daily activities. Music is one aspect that appeals to the variety of individuals in the world despite their differences in belief, personality and culture. Music is one of the only elements of life that allows us as individuals to enjoy something cohesively. The mystifying element that we call music almost seems impossible to define but Aaron Copland, one of the many renowned composers and conductors of the 20th century, attempts to condense the idea of how we as listeners analyze and evaluate music in his book, What to Listen for in Music. This book written upon a, “compilation of lectures he had given at Manhattan’s New School for Social Research” defines the aspects of how we listen and evaluate music, what aspects of music we should analyze, how both as a combination create the aesthetic of music we enjoy as listeners (Copland vii).

California has been the home to many stars from the Kardashians to Steve Jobs. Compton was the birthplace of infamous rap and hip-hop group, N.W.A. Inspiring many other young rappers to make it “Straight Outta Compton”, other rappers such as Kendrick Lamar. In 2012, Lamar signed on with Interscope Records and Aftermath entertainment. That year Lamar’s album, “good kid, m.A.A.d city”, was released marking Lamar’s major label debut. The album was highly praised by critics and got four Grammy Award nominations. The album focuses heavily on Lamar’s hometown, Compton, as he explains how the city affected his life.

When I was younger, I never thought much about music. I took music for granted; therefore, I had never thought much of my friends’ reactions as they listened to the cadence of the lyrics. They would be bobbing their heads, and moving their body to the rhythm of the song. All this time, music had been the result of their reactions. Music had the ability to change an insipid atmosphere to a lively party in a matter of seconds! All around the world, people are susceptible to the astounding acts that music may produce!

To most people in the 21st century, kicking back and pressing play on a playlist full of pop and rap music is an enjoyable pastime, however some people argue that modern music can no longer be considered an art. Music is a very opinion based topic so it is very difficult to discuss without disagreement although claiming that today’s popular music genres can no longer be classed as an art is blatant disrespect. Art is defined by the creation process, not whether people find it interesting; today’s celebrities do care a lot about public appearances although the deeper meaning behind their clothing, voice and choice of words forges the publicity into the art itself; music’s ability to reach large audiences and raise awareness of issues is still used heavily within today’s music.

Most people would agree with the fact that music is one of the most pleasurable things to them. As i previously stated humans are wired and the "high" we get from listening to music gives us pleasure. The reason we feel this high is because our neurotransmitters release dopamine

People are used to music that justifies street culture but something that's not touched on is why these kids act the way they act, live the way they live. Enlighten the youth on the opportunities and chances that lie ahead of them are reasons why Kendrick Lamar is one of the best rappers right now. He prides himself on how he formulates his words, to keep his storytelling consistently deep and intricate.

To begin I’d like to mention that I love Kendrick Lamar; to me he is a lyrical genius especially in an era where rap has changed to an even more violent tone. Most people could all agree that he is the most stimulating and uplifting rapper for this current generation. Hip-hop seemed to need Kendrick Lamar and as we can tell his positive influence is spreading across the nation as he recently won a Grammy topping even more known rappers such as drake. In this day and age most successful rappers make a living and fan base off of negative and criminal action. Despite that Kendrick Lamar tries to spread positivity in his music and motivation for people who aren’t living the in the happiest of moments. This was

Music is sacred to the human race. For years music has brought people together and has been a point of gathering for many. Music symbolizes a sense of comfort or happiness to some people and is also a form of ritual to others. Music is an art. Music expresses the way people feel in words and perhaps expresses inner emotions they cannot dare to speak out. When words fail, music prevails. Two individuals may have the same favorite song, but it is interesting to see them both interpret the song differently. The purpose of this research is to understand just how differently people interpret songs and why.