Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole are a part of the new wave of conscious rappers. Pick two to three songs of these artists or similar artists and critically analyze the content of the lyrics and associated visual or social media presence.
Introduction
This particular assignment conducts critical analysis on three popular songs sung by rapper during their music career. The first song taken for this study is “Old School Love” sung by Lupe Fiasco. The lyrics of the song are really touching and close to the heart of the singer. The next song is “Alright” sung by Kendrick Lamar”. Finally, the third song explained in the study is “Crooked Smile sung by J Cole. It is another love song portraying self-reflection of the singer.
Critical analysis of two to three songs by Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole
Lupe Fiasco
Song- “Old School Love”
![“Old School Love” by Lupe Fiasco’]()
Figure: “Old School Love” by Lupe Fiasco’
(Source: "Lupe Fiasco - Old School Love Ft. Ed Sheeran [OFFICIAL VIDEO]")
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“Old School Love”
Single by Lupe Fiasco
Featuring Ed Sheeran
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Released
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October 14 2013
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Recorded
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2013
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Format
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Digital Download
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Genre
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Hip-hop
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Label
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1st & 15th Entertainment Atlantic Records
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Producers
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D J Frank E
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Writers
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Wasalu Jaco, Edward Sheeran and Justin Franks
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Length
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4:33
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![Lupe Fiasco]()
Figure: Lupe Fiasco
(Source: "Lupe Fiasco - Pick Up The Phone")
“Old School Love” is a song by American rapper known as Lupe Fiasco. This song was released on 14 October, 2013 in promotion of his fifth studio album by Tetsuo & Youth. In the song, Fiasco professes his love for old-school hip-hop with the lyrics. Ed Sheeran sings beautiful song in soulful and laid-back hook. Fiasco lyrics reflect upon the changes in hip-hop from 1980s to 1990s. This relates with hip-hop loss of innocence to the crime as well as struggles in plaguing for hometown Chicago.
Kendrick Lamar
Song- “Alright”
![“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar]()
Figure: “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar
(Source: "Kendrick Lamar - Alright")
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“Alright”
Single by Kendrick Lamar
Album- To Pimp a Butterfly
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Released
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30 July, 2015
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Recorded
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2014-15
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Format
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Digital Download
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Genre
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Alternative Hip-hop
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Label
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Top Dawg, Aftermath and Interscope
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Producers
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Pharrell Williams. Sounwave and Michael Kuhle
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Writers
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Kendrick Duckworth, Mark spears and Pharrell Williams
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Length
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3:39
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Figure: Kendrick Lamar
(Source: "Kendrick Lamar")
“Alright” does American rapper Kendrick Lamar sing the third album. Lyrically, this is a festive song about hope. It mainly features unaccredited vocals at the time of chorus. “Alright” has received universal acclaim. This video begins with wide-angle shot in the Oakland Bridge describing dark sky paradise. The third scene of the video dedicates with donuts on little Homie. This particular video jumps to scene featuring Kendrick in an old school automobile with his black hippy brothers.
J. Cole
“Song- Crooked Smile”
![Crooked Smile by J Cole]()
Figure: Crooked Smile by J Cole
(Source: "J. Cole Ft. TLC - Crooked Smile (LYRICS)")
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“Crooked Smile”
Single by J.Cole
Album- Born Sinner
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Released
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June 4, 2013
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Recorded
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2012
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Format
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Digital Download and radio airplay
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Genre
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Hip-hop and R&B
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Label
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Roc Nation and Columbia Records
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Producers
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J. Cole and Elite
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Writers
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Jermaine Cole and Meleni Smith
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Length
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4:39
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![J Cole]()
Figure: J Cole
(Source: Columbia Records)
“Crooked Smile” is the second official single from his album Born Sinner. The single mainly features R & B Group TLC as part of digital version. This song was ode to self-love and finds him counseling women for embracing the inner beauty created by God It is one of the empowering song. The song was a self-reflection on J Cole on embracing his imperfections and trying to get other people at the same time. The original version of the song was three years ago after the rapped version by J Cole over Tupac beat.
Conclusion
At the end of the study, it is concluded these three popular singers still has global presence for their contribution to music industry. They have received awards and love from audience. Fiasco has various lyrical techniques in his songwriting. On the other hand, Lamar usually has concept albums and incorporates elements of funk, free as well as spoken word poetry and jazz. As far as J. Cole is concerned, Cole develops other ventures from Dreamville Records and other non-profit organization in Dreamville Foundation.
Reference List
"J. Cole Ft. TLC - Crooked Smile (LYRICS)". YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
"Kendrick Lamar - Alright". YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
"Kendrick Lamar". Kendrick Lamar. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
"Lupe Fiasco - Old School Love Ft. Ed Sheeran [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
"Lupe Fiasco - Pick Up The Phone". Lupefiasco.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
Columbia Records, HJ Conte. "J. Cole | Official Site". JColeMusic.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
