Our season long examination of To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar concludes with our final thoughts on the album. Then we'll hear directly from Dissect listeners who share their thoughts on the season.
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This is an unofficial transcript meant for reference. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Welcome to dissect long for musical analysis broken into short, digestible episodes. I warehouse culture
today we conclude our cereal lies examination of the paper butterfly by Kendrick Lamar, because
today show will likely remain at the top of the dissect feed for awhile.
Has any new listeners to begin with the first episode of season one.
That is his boilers and because we're
Examining any one particular track restructure is going to veer slightly from the norm. First
going to take a broad overview of the album just to get the four or a spectrum back into our ears.
They will finish our analysis of the longer dramatic problem that includes the other. Next will break down to our main themes: dissect, both the Alps title
our work will then leave a rigid academic approach behind now. Share my personal connection and experience with the album some thoughts in the first season of dissect.
Finally will hand over the MIKE to you and here from the handful of dissect listeners, who graciously share their biggest take away from the album so for the file time the season, let's do it
fact one really low, but people butterfly begins with Wesley SIRI. Where we met the Alps, protect
as a young newly sign Kendrick Lamar, inverse too
we meet the island's antagonist Uncle SAM Symbolic of the Americans
what's his eyes, his landing anything to my name, S uncle SAM Motherfucker, you believe at the mouth of the arms next song for Free Kendrick rails. It gets Uncle SAM, refusing to be pimp without adequate compensation. As we know, it's apply
Uncle SAM can easily afford these dick aid, we you look at emulated intimacy like an ever made, is meeting your leftovers. Iran meet these Dick eight free, even in captivity, raise my gives out. A reseller we gotta be green, is in need of a daily policy, was barely aroused Chiquita. Kendrick returns to competent, gloat proclaiming himself came to all his enemies and contemporary rap years
These being pimp by the industry, we know that while it feels like a king he's being controlled like asleep
It's where you and I was now when it came to the world's king, called you have it. I don't want to get the legs of good bad men taking its where'd, you and I was thinking when it came to the king
continues with institutionalized a song which Kendrick grow,
frustrated with his captain Hermes Behaviour at the BT awards. He reeled
is that, despite its success, he can't take the heard at the homey. He can't overnight change the mentality bread by being raised in this
its Compton once upon a very sound website that you buy. Something less is only knows what they want for the big one sought by the union with adjacent passport
These walls Kendrick uses its influence as rap star to exact revenge on a common enemy who is serving
life sentence by sleepy with the mother of his child. Its reveal that the imprisoned man was the one who killed Dave on contracts. Previous album, good kid mad city, despite escaping Compton through musical famous success. Kendrick is still very much indeed.
In the street politics of Captain Daddy's thing and I suddenly burst upon the abuse and allow me I will allow me down said Kendrick hit rock bottom: the Alps next song, you Kendrick, finds himself ill equipped for his new life outside of captain and in a drunken confession reveals is depression.
Survival, skill and suicidal thoughts. I know, even though you might know you don't selfish, deny your gale being felt in the day after the drunken hotel meltdown, Frederick awakes, with a new determination and fight drawing other black communities. Historic strength in the face of adversity, Kendrick seems determined to battle, is on demons inverse too
me, Lucy Uncle SAM's kindred spirits, but what if we beyond our Foresail Lucy's, explored in further detail representative of temptation and sin Lucy attention
nor Kendrick down a dark alley of materialism? Agree. I can get a good kid. You returned home on the arms next song Mama adverse one from his Compton, whereas nostalgic unreflective, averse, three home has asked
The motherland worries humbled, Annetta lit up like I was. There will not be just the actual gap in this matter, and we now need is bound to grab a number of men and women across the zambian unknown is being asked for laws waited on hood politics. Kendrick receives a voice mail from a Compton friend who gives Kendrick a hard time for never answering his phone, because he's too famous and always on tour, Kendrick gets defensive and heard politics is Kendrick proof.
To himself, how he kept it real to his Compton roots of a knife life. Why you make your life project round will know what this ban Mamma you manage way was, then why do you, like it doesn t return
point of the comes on how much a dollar cost Kendrick refuses a home
Samantha dollar, at a gas station in South Africa them
reveals himself. Is God and experience sets Kendrick on a new path?
this book, the Holy Spirit NASA within just how much damage caused the price they buy
bracing is leadership role. Kendrick shares with his
unity the lessons learned in Africa on complexion. He denounces color ism. It preaches acceptance of all
aids. The skin complexion me on the black or the berry Kendrick amidst feelings of hypocrisy for preaching unity within the black community, while still being involved in black black
the imbalance in the streets of captain it unless we take, as our support is important. So why did we could save my mind? Was industry we can't let you make me kill a newcomer actually mean
You ain't got a lie. Mamma said, Kendrick preaches self acceptance and authenticity.
He urges as community to drop their imitation quota, quote Street persona and just be themselves
Zombie doing at my hearing that we must address the upper reaches its negative conclusion with the song I checked, performs in front of his home town
Compton, a song about loving yourself, despite your flaws when a fight breaks out in the crowd a metaphor for black on black gang violence, Kendrick put
an end to the scuffle by reciting and empowering speech redefining the inward lists in each Eu S description Black
key rule, and let me finish by history books overlooked the world in Latin America tried to make it to our divided doll. Me don't reckon ass. We re using the wrong, so I'm a break it down and put my cat
many song in each Eu S say wit, me say no more black stars. You can't make me take it from open
free tell us. She went on time. Kendrick, Lamar, Bartha, really sneakers. Alas, final
on mortal man. Kendrick questions is new leadership role and asses
sinners to question themselves and their loyalty to live.
The coastal Mandela Muffruff. They were clearly that these boys, you consume every message assembly. They saw me making mistakes in the pressure. Would there be same when this question was singing still affair? Ornament?
as the last proper song onto paper butterfly me as you,
That concludes the conversation between Kendrick in Tupac, secure. On our last episode, we explored the connection Kendrick Fields with Tupac, an exam
the supernatural conversation the to have that the conclusion of the album-
turn out in many ways. Tupac has a spirit that propels the album Kendrick the best attempt to continue pox work in legacy to pimp a butterfly ends with Kendrick reciting, a poem Tupac.
Well here, Kendrick prefaces palm saying over something quote. A good friend had wrote
In all my research, I was unable to find any information on who this friend might be magic. It.
Should be one of Kendrick's, decease friends, Chad, Dave Pepper, Braised,
Of course I don't know this for sure, but the problem is
side and immediately after park says the spirits we
even really wrapping just letting our dead homes.
Tell stories for us, so the magic,
it would seem to work before we dig too deep into the palm.
I do want to quickly remind you that there is now a dissect, a pimp, a butterfly visual, our map available for free download at dissect, podcast, dot com
Is the power about to explore the maps central component
visually displays how each Song act and theme correlate to this palm, if you're able
You might find it helpful to pull up now, if not check it out. When you can
let's go ahead and listen to the opening lines of this concluding poem I wanted to read one last thing to you is actually something a good friend hero describing my world. It says the caterpillar is a prisoner to
Greece deck received. Its only job is to eat a solemn everything around in order to protect itself from this message.
Work assuming its environment. The caterpillar begins to notice ways to survive. If my
termination that the opening lines at the palm represent Hendricks last album good kid mad city, as refer
throughout this season. The narrative of butterflies, a continuation of the story, told I'm good kid. Kendrick start saying
the caterpillar is a prisoner to the streets that conceived it. It's only job is to eat or consume everything around it in order to protect itself from this mad city.
As you see, the caterpillar represents unrealized potential, the caterpillar or folks.
Kendrick, raising a mad city like Compton, adapt into
The environment is necessary to protect itself from the dangers of ST life. You join again.
Protection against other gangs. You by again for protection against others with guns
Violence by his friends and environment sixteen year old country
got caught up in ST politics there.
Hoddan in his friend Dave Being shot and killed. I'm good kid mad city, the conclusion of the album
Kendrick surviving this world through music, God and self acceptance, this can go.
Correlate with the line club Walkin seeming
the environment, the caterpillar begins to notice ways to survive. The next line of the poem is a pivot, from which good kid ends and butterfly begins. It read
one thing: it notices how much the world shuns him but praises the butterfly. The butterfly represents the talent, the thoughtfulness and the beauty within the Caterpillar
Kendrick discovered glimpses of the butterfly within him. At the end of good kid
Despite being shunned by society for being poor and black, can
tat allowed for his physical escape from content through music? At the conclusion of the album? Is at this point in Kenya,
story that the paper butterfly begins a young
hush off a record deal, Kendrick Lamar is introduced,
Butterflies first track Wesley SIRI
when I can only go mad dash around no secretary based, went home is bad ass about random audio files until they re married to the game and evaluations. When I gave me, I'm a bad state, senator sixties, Passementerie out and applied was Frederick sent
many here are much different than the Harpole sentiments displayed on the conclusion of good kid or Kendrick physically escape Compton mentally. He still try
This change of attitude is explained as a palm continues, what they know it
is how much the world should also praise the butterfly. The butterfly represents the talent, the tough, when you send the beauty within a caterpillar
we're having a harsh outlook on life, the caterpillar see the butterflies weak, a figure out a way to pampered to his own benefits. Indeed,
Kendrick pimps, the butterfly or town within for his own,
selfish benefits,
as you remember, act, one named pimp by consumption
of Wesley theory for free and King kinda displayed the
is Kendrick uses, talent for selfish materialism and
driven assaults on those around him, he meets
alms antagonist Uncle SAM, the american dream.
Card it who looks to exploit Hendricks,
for financial prosperity by demanding compensate
enforced talent. Kendrick feels Empowered
by falling into Uncle SAM traps as upon continue
we interact too, could
already surrounded by this method. A caterpillar goes to work on the coal which he, alas,
can no longer see past so does strap enacted
We heard the various ways Kendrick with trapped.
By a short sightedness on institutionalized by hood politics
fishing is on these walls and by depression,
and sir guilt on you act to represents Kendrick at rock bottom.
Home continues as we interact three titled emerging wings.
Besides these war zone, ideas take move such as gone I'll, bring it back new concepts to this method. The result
wings began to emerge breaking the cycle of instead.
With the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other Kendrick works towards inner peace. Finding purpose
and reconciling is passed with his present on act, three on all right. He gets a,
of the strengthened determination found within on foresail? He meets Lucy Short for Lucifer
attempts to lower the emotionally vulnerable Kendrick with riches and exchange
for a song on Mamma. He visit South Africa.
His humble by what he sees it begins.
Discover more about himself through a connection with his african heritage. Getting closer
embracing himself flaws in all Kendrick takes a step backwards in the song. Could politics said.
By a voice mail he received from a Compton friend who calls them out foregoing Hollywood. He aggressively
attempts to convince himself. He hasn't changed that it
rushing carries over into how much a dollar cost, where an experience with
I did the gas station in South Africa once and for all humbles Kendrick and set them on a new path of leadership.
The palm continues. As we interact for the butterfly sheds light,
finally, free
but a flash. Yes, label situations that Caterpillar never Cosette
and in the internal struggle. Auto. The butterfly and caterpillar are completely different that one in the same Kendrick is grant.
Opportunity to emerge from the cocoon
never harsh Compton environment and he uses his knowledge gained through his experience teaches com.
Many ways to beat the system
the two might escape their own internal struggle. Kendrick does is through preaching self, accept
inside complexion, calling out the hypocrisy of black on black violence on the black or the berry.
And encouraging authenticity over the charade of cool on you. Ain't got a lie
Nix metamorphosis crystallized on I wear his able
unabashedly exclaim. I love myself in front of his home town of Compton.
And using his influence for the betterment of his community. Not personal gain or profit. Kindred comes full circle,
the feeding Uncle SAM Lucy and his inner demons. The prostitute becomes pimp, the slave becomes master, the caterpillar becomes butterfly
and I hated aware Romano, what? U K run
For me, like I say when I will not tv shows Messinese Keesar, we live by your music. You want to talk about that
Some that you got except you didn't you say so,
no one ever realise a net. It gotta have the balance
the ban to say way. Marvin Gaye put
dare to say, wait, Isley brothers, the say way, look
you saying they talked about life and real perspectives where people can actually function
and feel like they have submitted, relate to access it up here. Talk
slick our day already by who
gonna relate to it at the end of the day when they gotta go back
this crazy world and feel like
They don't love himself enough to stay. Humble or not. You know commit suicide, I'm make them records. Kendrick ends up
I'm saying, although the Caterpillar butterfly, are completely different, they are one
in the same state
crystallizes. What I've name, the contrasting duality theme expressed in various
guises throughout the album with implications of good versus evil. Exe.
Station: verses, nurture and innocence, verses, maturation, assist conflicts,
In contrast, it essential and Kendrick story is the commission
a thing. My music is always conflicting
While you were later
Like you say, I want to propose wives out there. I wanna do some for the better
but in actuality, my life,
is is who I am
Personally, I was in my life, who I
The person is not the song, I
That's why I want to be now you.
Now he was complicated as well.
MR frustration on, gave rise as business. What our confidence tat was a tsunami daddy's, that's what makes a quiet and, in my
The completion of today is
How can I use my leadership you? Knowing what to do
WWW lousy. Now, for
of a worse as the conflicting nor version you come from
place of negativity cover his place.
Not have another nor following pingaree. Look up to now
you are taking a lead from thousands of people around the world,
their brings a whole lot of change, so does to completion.
You know why you last the away in a positive way
ass, the on as before,
just at our last episode, Kendrick, was born in June, making him a Gemini the zone,
sign best known for having two contrasting or conflicting personalities. Kendrick is very
self aware of his gemini characteristics, something that often informs is music fury.
Where, from our analysis of the Alps, First Song Wesley SIRI Uncle SAM attempts to appeal to Kendrick, conflicting personalities and as a materialistic?
I spent Canada, maybe the register German. I sat Manningham everything TAT is to say now my Jenadab. We now Christmas till I saw your wish lists mandated. How are you deserve? It can't drink like eighty six
Leslie Use theme duality theme is expressed in a multitude of proportions, both big and small, beginning with the brain.
Overview. We can see the duality theme express than the contrasting halves of the album through acts. One into the
staff of the album presents Kendrick as Caterpillar piping himself.
Materialism, an ego cocoon by the
You should lies mindset he developed being raised in Compton, the second half of the album acts. Three and four presents Kendrick as butterfly emerging from the
kind of his physical and mental environment, shedding light on his community
marrying our lands. We can see the duality theme express from song the song. Besides,
the tree of songs, Wesley's theory for free king kinda, weird the tree,
alright, foresail Mama
Wesley SIRI, with its first verse of materialism and second verse.
Uncle SAM contrast,
with all right, with his first verse, exclaiming,
over Uncle SAM and second verse meeting Lucy
vines of Uncle SAM on for free contrast with the submission to Lucy on for sale on King Kunta, Kendrick returns home to gloat and on Momma Kendrick returns home reflective in the stalls
Outside this trio, we heard her complexion embraced blackness in all forms, while the black
the very exposed the hypocrisy of embracing that blackness, while still being involved in black on black violence.
We can identify the low and high points. The thematic pillars of the album in the south
thing rock bottom song, you that contrasts with the self loving
self affirming I uh
the titles of the songs themselves are in reference to identity. That idea,
you- and I are two sides of the same coin.
If we narrow lens even more, we can see the duality theme express needs song. First, a verse
and often word for word down
but did the sample of Boris gardeners. Every Edward is a star. The juxtaposition between the poison
and see if the Edward and the word star
is reminiscent of the contrast between the words pimp and butterfly on one hand, we can interpret this phrase positively
the inside each human being specifically african Americans. There is a star a potential for growth,
is. On the other hand, if we imagine Uncle SAM saying the phrase we can interpret it as having
exploitative connotations that inside each human being, specifically African Americans and their experience, there is potential for exploitation on for free Kendrick claims. This dick ain't, free ain't free can be interpreted as not free, demanding compensation, forest talent from Uncle SAM or not free,
being restricted, shackled or control by Uncle SAM, as he is ultimately the one writing the checks on King country,
We notice how Kendrick felt empowered like a king yet was controlled like a slave. The song,
institutionalize expresses. Kendrick frustration with his home is brute behaviour, the b to your words and birth. One lovers to was perform from the point of view of the homey revealed that is, behaviour was a product of institutionalize racism
on these walls. Kendrick spoke of the walls of a woman's vagina as men.
Or for using his fame for vengeful sexual exploits, but also revealed
limitations or walls of his own selfish, narrow mine that lead to these exploits and while act for displaced
Jack. Embracing is leadership role. Mortal man shows the potential pitfalls of that role.
Of course, than those that alms title to pit the butterfly and enter
with mass appeal. Kendrick alludes to the duality theme in regard to the outer title saying club. It was something about butterfly how soft it sounds and how hard pimp sounds. It was just the contrast. That's how my music is. It's a roller coaster, its cohesive
but it's up and down you're going through all these different emotions. I wanted the title to reflect that.
Kendrick expands on the meaning behind the arms title in an interview with click as the task
ass. He gazed at her complexion and gave it goes down from the title, and I think this
entitles does want to live forever, represents so meet the reticence taken of puritanism, something it represents decision making or whatever
art is how can
whenever lady for better or for worse,
a show decision. These are,
Two things that I was just
making this record the record being about
how can I not be pimped in the system? You know, as far as we are
can I put my salary for a better, more community or for a better world
How can I be selfish and take advantage of the USA
How can I be selfish and take advantage of it saying a word
It was all about me: I'm going to get these chains off and get the jewelry I'm going to get these clothes.
Women cars in here
Like them, you know but
is a decision that I left hanging on the album. You know that's the real trick. You know
undertone of what I want to do, but it never says what I'm going to do, because I may not feel the way I felt yesterday.
As we just heard, Kendrick implies a duality seem to the verb pimp from Kendrick personal perspective. He gets used, a pimp
talent his success in influence. His butterfly for selfish returns, money sex drugs, immaterial
kids, even though he may feel empowered. The real pimp in this situation is the one who writes the checks uncle DOT Sam who exploit the butterfly for all it's worth this song
the word pimp is presented in the first half of the album acts? One and two, on the other hand, Kendrick
papers. Talented influence for good didn't
send in and temptation and uplifted com.
Ready by using his experience outside of competent to teach self respect.
Vacation and authenticity here, Kendrick becomes apparent,
and fully realises the transformation from Caterpillar to butterfly
represented in the album second half through acts. Three and four. If we Weiner nerlens, we can view
title is general representation at the black experience in America, Cocoon
their environment,
The racism in historic oppression, many black men and women,
destined to remain caterpillars their potential tragically unrealized. They do make it out Uncle SAM
is there to exploit their struggle and stunt, therefore
Transformation into butterfly Dobbs near
if his Kendricks best attempt to educators community show them
play. The skirt, the expectations and exploitation through authenticity, acceptance and God.
If we Weiner lands even further the meaning behind a pimp, a butterfly ass, a very poignant question about the human experience.
And challenges us to evaluate our own life task. Ask ourselves: am I the pimp or my being pimp,
Am I fully realising my own potential what walls are keeping make acount? What's my Lucy my voice,
is how my using my own influence herself
she turns or to advance.
Entity in a positive direction, however, large or small, and by the
and I'd like to see in the world and my caterpillar or my butterfly fuel
like, the let themselves in a mere asked. How this thing to do now is to critique yourself round and appoint a thing. You know
by his change? So actually do that say.
I'm wrong in a lot of areas. I look at myself in the mirror and I'm found a lot of hair that takes a lot of willpower and they don't stand so start with self. First. Another place of duality theme appears is on the albums
I see you ve probably seen it at some point, but if nodded to pick a mob of Kendrick, real friends from Compton,
posing in front of the White House nearly every
person has either a stack of money or alcohol bottle in their hand beneath them
as an older white judge laying knocked out her deceased on the ground with excess over his eyes.
Kendrick is in the center of the mall shirt, listen holding a baby, you didn't know what he looked like you and be able to distinguish Kendrick from the others in interviews. Kendrick breaks down the meaning behind them,
Mark was impetus for that. For now I ask of aggressive statement. Just so several mean is actually a seven means.
One of the meanest is Wesley Day know that their song is by their cover for me personally
This is going back to the neighbourhood and taken the folks. Amazon northern had taken him around the world. Whether
No, whether you want to call him Aignan and that they need to see these things
where is the White House weathers Africa? Whether
knowing, as in London, no out exactly you, not aid cities. These that's why
explanation, for it gives more deeply.
Does that
it covers is
my boyfriend warehouse really take
hoping for my neighborhood entailing around the world. Let me see
He's that I've experience everybody in the picture is spent two armies keys to Baku away since elementary hurry up to now and also laddie visuals, that's half of article K, Mercedes dishonest covered, so it s been around for
we really digesting round as a judge lay down ground. Look at these individuals living room is bad people
a menace menaces society, but they actually the people. You know
the probability of lamb
one person they always rubbish-
they're not life's negatively, is the
you know
Only guy can judge these individuals were here not knowing what to gavel. No an awful bonobos years, given these keys,
a chance in life avenues
star irreverence down,
it represents. I felt when I first got signed,
Wesley story,
the first initial state. You know you gave money, you feel like this overall in general, it represents those without money. You know
my color their riches spirit.
No no need dollars.
Feel like you, you ll have a place in the world. You know ass down goes
ten? Eleven twelve tracks does what it represents: the first
as a lobby, ignorant
This know how I was brought up. So, as I see the world really about the money is about how the two Aspects-
references that arms opening track Wesley. Syria's partial inspiration for the owl marked the go ahead,
listen to the clippers, referring to keeping him
the verses written from Kendrick, the caterpillar, who added,
suddenly recital laundry list of things you'd like to do once inside the record. To when I gave me, however, state that seeks to use it ass, a model on a black and White House right now, when I give you my man has again, it might get a made, an exact like
also references the White House in a similar fashion, on the introduction of the song institutionalized.
Fantasizes about why he do fear president?
no
take. The chains of the imagery
Rebellion is also alluded to in contracts. Conversation with Tupac at the end of the album the ground is gonna.
Up and swallow the evil.
I see my words born. I see,
in the ground is a symbol for the poor people. Poor people is going to open up this whole world swallow up the rich people, because rich people going to be so fat and and they're going to be so a
As you know, I'm saying well appetite for help.
No say it's gonna be lying between what
this theory institutionalized and the park statement. When you start to piece together
interpretation of the cover as portrait of the Alps. First, half the caterpillar or quota quote ignorant half as well
fiction of the ground Tupac speaks of Kendrick Spanish
Moving the captain swat me to the White House, posted
in the White House can be viewed as a perpetrators of the system
make racism that created. I continued to perpetuate many of the black communities obstacles and achieving the american dream for the cap.
Displays a physical defeat over the judge.
The hum is yet overcome their institutionalized mindset,
a song institutionalized can
fantasizes himself as president, and I can
To do with that power is pays. Mama's, rent free, his home
from jail bullet proof is car and smoke we'd, the
were reflects short sighted fantasies, as all the men are holding alcohol of money and generally acting a fool
Also. The few women included in the photo are blocked by
how bottles are gang signs, perhaps representative at the disrespect
or lack of priority shown to women by certain members of the black community. It seems that
Kendrick is implying that a violent revolution is an incomplete one. Like the story told on Tipp a butterfly, these endeavour
jewels need a spiritual revolution to truly escaped the real prison created by systemic racism and oppression, the prison of their own mind, the more optimistic or butterfly interpretation of the cover, as one Kendrick explains in his inner,
these, while they may be porn disenfranchised Hendricks homes, are rich in spirit
knowing the history behind places like Compton
generational oppression. The black community has faced. We can look past
Alcohol money and see the butterfly within all these men, like the song I Kendrick here is using
his influence to share his worldly experience with those who have had the same good fortune. He doesn't separate, or this
English himself from them is among them and if you episodes pursued season recorded Kendrick, saying I'm not speaking to the community or of the community, I am
you mean the cover seems to be the visual depiction of the statement. Of course, Kendrick holds a baby and symbolic of the future, taking Kendrick
His community will overcome conflict through self acceptance and unity among black men and women
regardless of gang affiliation. In this way, the judge on the ground becomes not an act of violence, but as
symbolic defeat through self respect and unification
and the White House becomes not a symbol of oppression but of empowerment, implying that the
Our community is as American is the widest Midwest community and just as deserving of opportunity.
As we wrap up our analysis of to butterfly, I suppose, if
their examination will be complete without a bit of criticism. So here's my critique of the album yeah. I got nothing because here my thoughts on criticism, sometimes
doesn't need it. And frankly, I don't have time to criticise we already.
You have to love our time to art, as it is I'd rather
not wasted time. I critiquing if it's
they created with honesty, less immediate. With respect and openness.
Let us say what it has to say without judgment if it resonates beautiful, if not, let's respectfully, move on
I guess this is as good a as as any to move into a more personal space regarding this album from day one.
Tempted to approach to paper butterfly without any preacher germination like all great art, this arm could be viewed
any number of subjective lenses you could approaches.
Purely from representing the black experience in America from its place.
Pantheon of black music from his place
history of the concept album from the perspective of the content?
black lives matter: movement and racial tension in America. The possibility
These are truly endless. My approach,
the little more generic I wanted to be
weightless as possible,
allowing the out to push me. Whichever way of wanted, I want
stay out of my way to be observed,
to the album and let it now
aid to whatever destination it had in mind but
I'd like to leave that behind
in lieu of a season finale conclusion segment, which I also
deemed a bit redundant on the heels of a twelve hour analysis of a single album. I've decided
Instead, the closed with my personal take away from the album and a little back story about the creation of this podcast. I started dissect because, like many other
I found myself constantly scrolling in swiping my days away with access.
An infinite amount of content at my fingertips,
I myself spending too little time consuming too many things over time. This began to feel disrespectful
specially to artists who, in this age of overconsumption, still choose to craft and crime?
with detailed, honest and thoughtful pieces of art. I wanted to create it.
Structure that would force me to spend months with a piece of art to extract as much as I could from something
rather than consuming casually and swiping on also,
wanting to be realistic about our new consumption habits. Thus, the idea
making long form analysis and a short digestible episodes. It's me
see what can happen when we commit ourselves to a great piece of art. Did you made it
This entire season, you ve dedicated nearly
Twelve hours of your life to an analysis on a single word, classic
countless hours, I'm sure you spent listening to the album imagined sitting
front of a piece of art at a museum for twelve hours, just sitting, thinking letting it give everything it had to give blood
yourself give everything you had to give to. It would be hard.
Walk away from the experience unchanged as a person.
And now that I'm walking away from Tipp a butterfly released
The in depth analytical sense
in honestly, say I'll, be walking away a change person and allowed me to experience
through someone who's up Bree, was completely different from my own. It may be
understand, more about the black experience in America about the underbelly of fame and success about the invincibility of our human spirit,
The force me to honestly assess how I view others
to me, my own cultural biases and prejudice that I wasn't fully aware of the forest
me to prioritize. What's important, my own life
question, whether I'm being pimped
question whether I'm nurturing my own butterfly to its full potential
question whether I'm using my influence in the most positive impact for way possible, but more than
It may be realised that while it may come from white suburbia,
Still relate understanding connect with people that don't look, talk, think or act. The way I do as Kendrick says to conclude the album, although the Caterpillar butterfly, are completely different, they are one and the same.
Despite proximity, political views, religion, race class or any other potential division where human first
We all feel the same human emotions.
Emotions are an exclusive the same her. You feel I feel
joy or anger or frustration, we all experiences thing
the same way
and its around these human commonalities that we can unite. Empathy
essential, but it's just the bridge to taking action, and I am doing my best across that bridge every day.
I like to share with you now something I wrote for the very first episode of the season that ended up on the
cutting room floor. Looking back at it now, a rubber
it's a kind of full circle moment. For me, it reads quote: before
We began our examination of to pimp butterfly. I thought it might be appropriate to briefly explain my decision to dissect this album. There's. No doubt it's a
work and deals with issues. Someone like myself cannot pretend to understand completely. I'm a white kid from
suburbs of America if you can't tell by my voice why this might
viewed by some as a hindrance and analyzing an album, so heavily rooted in african american culture is per se
the reason I chose to dissect it. I dont think we get anywhere as a culture for afraid to confront issues because our difficult or feel like they don't apply to us. In fact, because our issues understood
merrily by the people they affect his press. One reason why they perpetuate this podcast season is my best attempt to understand
my analysis were always come from a place of honesty.
A true desire to learn as much as I can about our culture through this incredible album.
Summarily decided to admit this because I felt it was to personal revealed
security, I felt about approaching this album, but I do feel I stay
True to my words, my approach always came from a place of honesty list.
That same place that I now try to approach all things in the world. While I went in
with the intention of attempting to understand others, which I certainly did more than anything
came out understanding more about myself, and this is a great thing about great art.
It gives and gives and Gibbs, but you have to make
self available to it. You have to listen when it calls you immediately my connect
and two butterflies a little extreme, but perhaps for good reason. The album came out the day after
I first and only child was born with
six, a M son slating through the blinds
I sat on a rocking chair with my headphones on, elicited a to pimp, a butterfly for the first time,
by newborn child slept in my arms.
It's one of those storybook moments in life that I'll never forget.
I listened to the arm incessantly in each time. I felt this
again curiosity and unease. I felt
If I was missing something that is true,
to say something that I wasn't paying close enough attention. I decided to fall
that curiosity to submit to thy curiosity.
For once give myself totally to thy curiosity
So dissect was born a twelve hour hundred plus
page analysis of two pepper butterfly? I started this.
Act with zero expectations. I didn't think many people would find the podcast
let alone be interested in such a tedious analysis. I certainly didn't expect it
next with so many amazing thoughtful intelligent people have come to meet through this podcast reader
Your emails, your thoughtful season, two suggestions, your support, nor fundraiser, our interaction on twitter.
It's all been really overwhelming, and frankly,
Isabel time of Extreme division in our country. The positive
the firming spaces podcast has created in my life has truly been beautiful. So thank you and in that spirit,
I like to now hand over the microphone to you.
Toward the end of the season. I ask you to share your biggest take away from Tipp a butterfly in the form of an audio clip. I've compile all this
clips and taught were here now. It runs about tat,
minutes long, and I could
you too, really submit yourself and listen to each one.
A fascinating range of diverse backgrounds and interpretations, and I try it
to hear their ideas their thoughts, their stories as your own? On the other side,
have some final words as well as a result from our fundraiser enjoy yourself as one is for San Francisco, California, originally from Pasadena
neighbor in to so also live in. The hood pretty similar to a country had to deal with as a youngster.
We spoke to me about that album was the album, was sister a person looking for a way out of the laws of in his life and looking for salvation all around places and figured it out that you know the change has come from within before it comes outward, so it almost inspired me to do what he's doing it away to sort it become a beacon of almost a light to show others that look just like you that come from places just that they come from. You know to come from the bottom and say: look you don't have to think like you from the bottom, you can do more for yourself in those round you it just has to start within yourself. You have to want more and know what more is and is achieved
but you just have to believe that its achievable my biggest take away from the peanut butter butterfly is sun. I because, despite all the suffering and oppression discuss on this, Album Kendrick finds a way to inspire people to love themselves and rise above negativity through this beautiful emotional uplifting song. This album would not be the complete masterpiece said it is without this track in one song, he finds a way to educate people about oppression and, at the same time, inspire people to love themselves.
The exact way that they were born when it was red blue Nile over National Tennessee
I start listening to dissect right. Whenever I moved to Nashville in on you moved an insidious
therefore, that fresh start sort of vibe, and so
I got here, I was thinking.
I'll be a better version of myself than before, and I an I you look
the political climate social climate near racial issues are huge and me being
some new grew up and like suburbia, why America,
I realize I didn't have a good grasp of what
was like to not be that and so does
just tell me a lot about empathy and not just
thing suit and a butterfly and someone else issues, but it's
have given me at least a toolbar, a toolbox by which to think about things from someone else s point of view, and for that I am forever grateful the podcast
dissect and their season onto pamper butterfly, as educated me in the past few months, about the art of rob and has connected me more deeply to the african american experience. I've heard it said what really changes. People's opinions are stories, because it's the emotion, soul and life that really lie
a fire in us with the help of dissects, tedious analysis. I have heard the tipps of emotion.
Saw and life Lamar once his audience to feel. In all honesty. The empathy this podcast bestowed me with helped me become less racist. Helped me see all African Americans as more completely human as hard as that is to admit. Thank you for helping me deeply appreciate this art.
And become a better humbler person. Hey called this is Tucker from Indianapolis, and I wanted to do a voice recording for you.
I say that when I first heard Kendrick Lamar that his first thing I heard was
Maxie Freestyle and I immediately wrote him off as a rapporteur, who is this crude obscene person and I think when timber butterfly released, mileage viewpoints cannot change a little bit after listening to the album,
back to his other islands and listening to his other work, there was
so much more meaning that I didn't understand and
also say that to pimp a butterfly was the album that got that really like pushed me into hip, hop and rap. All I really can listen to it's hip, hop and rap. That's kind of all that keeps me interested anymore Kendrick once
now the outside. Looking in among the inside looking now, I'm in dead centre looking around, and I think that theme
Who sells the duality you have? The introspective conjugal mark came out from the black from captain juxtapose with that
our work more braggadocio King Kendrick King counter, and this analysis is album, really shows how fluidly Kendrick move between both these prisoners to create a more complete version himself and really endearing, thus to whom at while, at the same time showing his skill. I
truly enjoyed listening to dissect. What I already knew was a brilliant album and pulling out all of the layers of meaning in and imagery
Symbolism: men metaphor:
and just you pulled everything out of an outcome that are already loved and made me love it even more.
I also appreciate the fact that you always said the inward and never actually said the inward. Thank you for that. Thank you.
Much for dissecting was truly amazing, so from
it's almost impossible to appreciate to Paypal butterfly without juxtaposing against good kid mad city up until this part
that was fear about most of all time bar none because it put me square in the shoes of getting Compton, unlike any thing
You could ever do you know about my world, but but to people butterfly did was helped. Me understand the conflicting feelings that that I felt going up and iranian kid born and raised in Virginia that sense of love for my home, but never never truly feel like.
American I'm so, whereas good kid Maad City help me understand the struggles of somebody else to pimple butterfly
we understand my own little bit better call Kushner
Man you pay cash is fantastic,
major take away that left
me there that I've never really thought about. Actually was the fact that.
Good kid, mad city and pimp a butterfly are so connected that
from the end of the first album to the beginning of the second album, it's a direct line, connection that blew my mind. Major fan, love your work, I'm going to keep following you thanks a lot. This is MIKE,
The pimp, a butterfly as Adam S, music, album, has everything I could pass for its government.
Eighty in depth and engaging it's fine, but is also moving
but it's even more than that. It creates
a bridge between my own contacts as a white middle class mail, to a context that I just
these familiar with our understand as much. Otherwise, I gotta think conjugal mourn his genius and things like a dissect podcast for that
one of my favorite ounce of all time. Besides the personal impact on those sitting Hendricks
approach to writing here and his structures.
Putting them in line with James Joyce in terms of black contextual complexity, dense, lyricism, uncompromising statuses, on delivering colonel wisdom and creating a history, an oral history, the concept of self determination, love accepting failure and really pushing now a Kendrick Lamar vision of strength and real power. Its real beautiful thing at this decisive coercion from Saint Paul Minnesota.
Sector has been very important to me as a white, male and Middle America. I've never experienced what it's like to be a minority and likely never will the best way. I know to understand the experience of others is to listen to them before dissect. I've listened to Kendrick Lamar's music.
The show is help me understand it in a way I couldn't before musical
inability to convey ideas better than simple speech, and I'm grateful that Cole has taken the time to unpack everything in to pimp a butterfly for us. I listen to tip of a butterfly everyday the week it came out and I continue to listen to it. I think part of the reason I do is the same reason. I watch all my favorite movies over and over again it's just a sinner, it's a cinematic album and I have never really listen to anything else like it,
yeah, it's great favorite, I'm involved time. Timber butterfly was an amazing, our
I know this is an amazing album into I listen to dissect podcast. In my opinion, it is ranking among one of the greatest problems of all time.
It is a beautifully crafted concept album. There can only be topped by Kendrick himself,
how's it going corn fellow dissected listeners
I've been rocking Kendrick since overly dedicated. I think, since good kid, mad cities been in contention for the greatest Hiphop
artist of all time. That's just my opinion.
And honestly. After listening to dissect,
I have to say that two pimple butterfly is
my favorite hip hop album of all time again. I thought it was great the first few times I listen to it, but after
hearing your opinion on it
Hearing the depth and
time and effort that went into this album. I really
Heard any other hip hop albums that can compete with it,
thank you for
Changing my mind on that and in swaying my opinion.
I can truly say that I live by Kendrick Lamar's words, because
The man is so unsafe for an he truly displays something
or it displays a message that we don't hear too often in Hiphop. You know when I think of her pop
I was raised listening to a lot of to park. Biggie a lotta, all school rap
the tragic Lamar reflects that
sufferer, someone like me:
I truly connect with Kendrick Lamar,
an even bigger his message.
Hey was the one thing that I guess I took from too
the butterfly after thoroughly listening with they over these packages.
Is that there is always room for growth that we're always going to have the ups and downs and in betweens in life, but there's always room for growth and is in growth, is for anybody
to pimp butterflies like a major major show up there, and I think that's the one thing that I did take.
Hey call. This is Joseph in Taipei City, Taiwan, something
value and greater is its ability to transcend simply
It's very specific and turn
into a very universal experience in that's something I definitely see,
in two pimp a butterfly its ground
in his experiences, but it so
masterfully, communicated that it never fuels
close to. Someone like me, who didn't groping, Compton or late, enjoy expiring,
his level of fame, the joy
way. The exuberance of King King TAT, the lines of depression and you d
affirmation of all right and, on the the
present question of out and out only survive in the complex web of American
true, but how to carve out and create
meaning for position within. It is something that I think is very relate a bow wow
staying very honest, Hendricks own experiences and struggles,
send him at his grandson around the two biggest take away from the seasonal they set as we ve evolved into the lyrics. Kendrick Lamar is that
I can be proud of who I am, and anyone who blackness that,
skin. Color is not effective and the king, you proud
the struggles of my ancestors
fighting in this piece of oppression, and to that I must have
It was those I dont understand and I've been teaching is to my students is even let them listen to the episode that is important for us to seek to understand those. We don't necessarily agree with that. I believe, will help us you as a nation things. This package has been granted to them the butterfly S, work unapologetic, black mass, it s a score: the historical, social and political legacy, Hiphop whiskers, hip hop, but also the score to movement happening right now in America and what has always been happening for backfire.
And it's just a work of art, that contract was able to look at history, look at her part, and it shows that he really understands the work that her Papa has always done. The work that rebel music has always done for the black community and was able to weave those stories into this masterpiece
and just do it in a way that is unapologetically black and shows deep love and understanding of black folk and black history.
Hey. What's up this time for me to put into words how much this podcast really means to me, there are very few,
is that a line from this podcast from this album will pop up into my mind the camera
Does a dollar cost and complexion really doesn't mean anything? It's open up, coming
nations in the communities living in the school, but I teaching or middle school teacher
church than I worship in as well as all I can say. Thank you
in the leg work on this album
we're gone away to advance the way that I see the world a better place
He has had to my life and the way they can raise needs a clear to his story, also aforethought as its entire album
musically. He brings his the old man with a new and classes together, Mesa Beautiful, sound, the album lyrically he takes us through to despair.
And ultimately, he shows us the story. The soil degradation
musical imperatives and the thing that struck me always about Kendrick
hey. This is Matt Lindner, one of the host of musical imperatives and the thing they
fuck me always about Kendrick.
Technically it's about power of. Why is the spiritual underpinnings at the outcome and how much
He has a reliance on God. Even in his doubts about faith, he said
He's got as his way.
To escape, burst out something that leaning on and then something to bring back to committee. The fiend out impact of tipping the butterfly on me is: how can you can simultaneously hold together, hope and realism
and I am most edith- exemplified on the hook of all right, as he points to injustice and points to
with things that are not right going to operate as they should, but also holds out. His hope in
and community in real life.
And in positive and inspires us and everyone else to pursue
that same hope, along with him, hey call
this is Chris, sending you this message from either how so
Honestly, what was my biggest take away and listening to season? One of dissect out
Probably say come down to just
whole appreciation of chemical MAR the whole appreciation of is musical genius. Why?
heard dissect. I heard how all the songs played together, including the songs and I like less say like for free having
new podcast. I really am since his his
in breath, is an artist and brilliant.
For changed. I think about all music in general. So are you
I guess that's my biggest takeaway, so thank you. I appreciate it call
the reason why I loved the butterfly so much is. It shows everyone that we're all connected
The story
it isn't millennia years old, but even then
it saw reminds us that we have the opportunity to make that story.
Two pimp butterflies solidified, my belief that King Kendrick is my favorite artist of all time. We can talk about the lyricism all day, and I bet there
things I won't catch until ten years from now help
even the title and cover are just waiting to be further. Analyze cynically has seamless
extra various genres was done so well. They can even be categorized. I now
or understand why some people did not like the sound initially and there's no telling what he is capable of making next. My name is,
I love the show, and I can't wait till season. Two
wow, so a thirty seconds to explain everything I got out of to pimp a butterfly. You do realize, of course, that that is severely insufficient self. Let me just say that I salute you, my brother, because what you did to take the time and break down to pimp a butterfly and Kendricks ART in general was nothing short of amazing, and hopefully there are people all around the globe now who are more enlightened and have a deeper appreciation of the genius of that man's work. So we salute you and I appreciate it and look forward to season to a call, I'm just going to say my biggest takeaway from to pimp a butterfly is that as a young black man going through changes and never go, and not only that is inevitable. Is that it's okay? It's supposed to happen and that's what makes him a man that's what makes you know an adult and to hear that on an album from another boy
blackmail is, is amazing. So thank you so much regard. I really do appreciate. You help me to a lap banking, Jamie, Pomeroy, eleven National Tennessee one day recently on the way to work. I had two homeless people saw me outside of our regular coffee shop, nasty thing. It's me
need to get something to eat so
Documents I got him whenever they wanted and to stop these people for, like ten minutes heard their story told me about some tough times.
On over the last ten years and just got some perspective.
And didn't think too much of it by got home that night and the episode from you listen to us how much dollar cost- and I heard Kendrick story and
call story, has actually brought it
yours and didn't expect to go
that night and have anything like that have
after what happened this morning, but just good reminder that
still in the world, were all one, and so we hear people out when they ask for help. We been in down the ball.
When the crab was low. Looking at the world like, where do we go
when
I guess,
just read. There will now be God. The red
we ve got your head key. You,
may God
enjoy these stories as much as I did you do,
Some men and audio club. I'm going to give you your thirty seconds now be at a particular time.
A memorable moment. A theme that's presented
wherever you are now take a moment and consider your biggest take away from Kendrick Mars, to pin but butterfly
Thank you. Everyone. This first season has been a beautiful experience. I hope you enjoy
listening to it as much as they did, creating it I'll talk to you next season,
or a fully submit ourselves to another musical masterwork, because great art deserves.
More than a swipe dissect is rendered produced by me.
If you ve enjoyed dissect this season, please tell a friend
family member coworker or anyone you think might enjoy the show as this
in the past, there's no team behind this podcast, it's just me and I can use all
help I can get promoting Michelle
and if you have an already please rate and review dissect on Itunes, that really helps to.
If you ve been following along the season, you know that
We ve been raising money for the bicentennial high School music programme in Compton California. This is
Erica, Mars, alma mater any sense.
Given their money to keep kids in the studio off the streets. I can say
give a better way to shore appreciation Mckendrick, thereby
contributing in a small way to his cause. I very
happy to announce that we did exceed our goal of one thousand dollars, raising
fifteen hundred dollars a huge
Thank you to all sixty five donors seriously. It means a lot special,
shouts out designed around her wits- I can Alexis Peters, Daniel Wagner and honour for me,
for the actual generous contributions, will be posting update,
about our donation, dissect, podcast, dot, com and through the door
second newsletter, which you can sign up for on the website,
be sure to sign up for that newsletter. When you get a chance
will be sending out bonus content over the brake and keeping up today,
about the subject this season to live
They created a small little shop on the website where you can, or
the two pepper butterfly album that poster dissect T shirts, Mckendrick ants
fired happy result peril
or assign season one manuscript again, you can find those at dissect podcast dot com. I like to take a moment now to say thank you to a few people who helped make this possible
possible a big thinks, the city scout magazine or allow me to host the podcast on their network tickets.
Discount, mag, dot, com for all things: urban lifestyle. Thank you
My friend and co worker Jake, who, let me
some initial ideas, for the pot off him and gave me feedback on the floor.
Few episodes before I lodged. Thank you too
head and everyone. I tunes whose support has taken this podcast hides. I can never imagined thanks to
Eric and read for helping with some social media and outreach earlier in the season. Thanks to Anna,
creator a result, peril who made those awesome, Kendrick, levitate hats for our front razor
this, moreover, has risen peril dot seo.
Things TAT, had a sellers for a wonderful work honour to pimp a butterfly album map
see more of her work at Hennessy sellers dot com thanks to beer.
Product for letting me uses track for the dissect thee music, you can hear
or of his great stuff that bureaucratic dot band camp dot, com.
Thanks to my mom, dad and sister for always supporting everything I do and a big thank you to my wife and daughter
for being the best thing that ever happened to me
for letting me spend way too much time on dissect these past six months and of course I like to thank you for listening fiercely. Thank you I'll see you next season.
Why don't we go understand that we are put on earth to learn, as all is about
I want to figure. Complicated life is in and break it down. This is what I actually think
Why won't you on frustration, frustration, angle, keep one or two
finally go back down to the simple is where love.
Transcript generated on 2020-03-10.