Everyone quick message to let you know that we are brand new season, five apparel available. Now at dissect podcast outcome, we ve got room he drew a long sleeved tease a couple hoodies onslaught, Urban season, five analysis so had to dissect podcast dot com. To order yours today. From Spotify studios. This is dissect long for physical analysis broken into short digestible episodes. I'm your host clock cushion Today we continue our sea or lies analysis of damp by Kendrick Lamar with part two our two part, dissection of the song x x x. If you miss part, one

You'll definitely want to go back and listen to that episode. Now there discussed x x x is first half which Kenny, confronted with a difficult decision on how to advise us friend about only son being killed over a debt, gifted tat got a colleague but my Dudley one. No one said they journeyed. Sunny funding is sufficient funds. He was seventy with let your remit drug talkin than what the loaded done he's a connecting me have been for me, and I join the show me how to overcome. He was looking for the closure of despair when show my fair Mcdonald, Kenny's brain questions. Why, God would allow, is only son to be killed? He looks to Kenny for com, for guidance sing I know that you're anointed show me how to overcome its. That were reminded. That Kenny has been filled, with God, Spirit, can show his people how to overcome the evil, spirits that tempt them to murder other humans

Kenny's role as spiritual leader. This further firms and the subsequent line. He was for some closure, hoping I can bring us closer to the spiritual Kenny's friend wants him to act as a conduit. For God, spirit, someone will connect him to a higher power to the spiritual. Of course, this is the very definition of what it means to be a prophet something Kenny to beyond DNA when he said salute the truth, when the prophet say we heard in even more clear declaration of this on mortal man, the final track of Tibet, but butter? that, as you know, leads directly into the narrative of Damn Kenny of identification as an inspired profit remind this? Yet again, that is fully aware what he should say to his friend

Such awareness makes it all the more agonizing. When we hear kemys response, he was like a spending so much time. I don't know what I told him. I guess you gotta ass, if what you this is our film somebody killed. My southern me somebody can you tell me what you know? That's not your d impression of other memories. Collective moments, you can never touch Kenny, says my spear. Do no better, but I told him I can't sugar coat the answer for you. This is how I feel if somebody killed, my son. That means somebody's gettin killed here. Can you it's that the Spirit of God inside him. Clearly direct some do encourages friend to choose forgiveness, the way of weakness, However, much like you did during the Alps. First half Kenny ignores gods message instead of Sir The truth, can you just I have to say what he personally feels this waste to be led by his feelings brings about a dramatic turn. Kenny declares that, it was. His son who was killed

Venture signed by murdering his killer, this response Bruce? I came, he has lost his faith again the test of his fate. Has revealed the wickedness that continues to plague his heart? Indeed, blink of an eye can he has referred back to the same primal, emotional logic of self preservation he exhibited on element, and just they did on element. Can you tell two justifies intuition saying tell me, but you do for love, loyalty and passion of all the memories collected moments. You can her touch similar to attitude on element, can he declared but the feelings of love, loyalty and passion one has for family members are worth killing for, of course, the first two of these emotions, love and loyalty. Title on the album up until now. Love and loyalty have been presented and an overwhelmingly positive light. However, the here dr tribalism, ethnic violence in revenge killings show how

feelings. Can become deadly when combined with a third feeling passion in many ways. Passion is the word that best expresses what Kenya's going through on the most basic level it refers to an intense and overwhelming emotion, most often an extreme version of love or hatred, Passion thus reveals how a single emotion can amplify both Kenny's love for his family and his hatred for his enemies. Historic, this explosive mixture of love and hate has been used to justify acts of violence in the heat of the moment event they giving rise to the phrase crimes of passion. In modern times using passion to describe violent acts has fallen out of usage. Instead past It is most frequently used to discuss intellectual passions which are feeling of intense devotion to a given, pursue interest or cause while such a usage, is almost always positive, it should be that the word passion originally meant suffering. This

connotation arose from ancient thinkers who observe humanity is often left insatiable by the most intense forms of passionate devotion. As a result of this dissatisfaction, ancient thinkers concluded that continuously feeling be strong. Emotions of passion, eventually leads to suffering this year. Did your passion to mean suffering explained by the memory of Jesus is arrest, trial and execution traditionally referred to as the passion of the Christ, while Kenny's mission for the memory of lost family members inspires him to kill his enemies, the member Jesus. His passion is meant to inspire his followers to forgive their enemies and make peace. Hence every You're Christians around the world remember the passion of the crisis on good Friday. The same Damn was released. All these can since too intense feelings suffering in Jesus is death on good Friday, suggest that despite its external rage, passion I suffering is at, part of what Kenya's feeling on X, x, x,

after using love, loyalty and passion that justifies use of violence. Can he gets be specific about how he would execute revenge, What am I getting mega limit myself to the bitter end section. Can he claims that if his son was killed, feud, wait in front of the killer's house and murdered him the moment he stepped outside? He was unable to do that and he would catch him when he least expected it walking out of church service, the blue. The ironic image of Kenny, murdering someone in front of a building dedicated to Jesus further scores, candies hypocrisy and the upset his struggle with Jesus commandment to forgive it. The foreshadows a larger, more dramatic irony that will be revealed at the verses end. Kenny's, bold defiance of the law reaches pinnacle, as Kenny says, are cheaper Edward, then throw them

lower in his lap walk myself to the court like bitch. I did that Of course. This is the same list of actions that can you described the intro x x, x I need a little bit of nothing except a Niger, then throw the blower in his lap what was self to the car light, because their dad aggravated previous episode, we discuss how these lines suggested that Kenny was under demonic influence. At the time we didn't know a computational situation? Would cause Kenny to revert to this demonic pattern, a thought, however, other these lines have been placed in the context of Kenny's conversation with his friend. We see Kenny Sadness and anger over the death of family members is the real He allowed himself to embody such cold hearted violence. We all the discussed how by label his words, but the term x, rated Kenny, seem to be indicating its intention to incite others to commit acts of violence. Now that we hear the line context, we find Kenny

doing just that using his words to inside his friend to violence. Finally, we should note that Kenny specifically said I'll chip and Edward Indicating, The person who killed his friend son with a blackmail back onto pimp, a butterfly Kendrick, talked extensively about the need for black people, to forgive each other, so they can learn to live together in Peace Smith. Typically in mortal man, can he said quote: forget all the pain and hurt we caused each other in the streets. If I respect you reunify and stop the enemy from killing us while we may have previously interpreted the enemy to refer to white policemen or why people in general, here and x, X, x, ray dean. How Jesus believed that the true enemy of humanity are the evil spirits that tempt humans to use violence against each other? Nonetheless, since Kenya's wilfully, disregarded the example of Jesus he's now reverted to thinking their black men are the enemy. Once again, this becomes painfully obvious, as x, x x,

ten years ago, now baby girl. Why can't I value the industry can be vice premier ever met, somebody tell Mama Kenny, wraps ain't, no black our when your baby killed by a coward. Power is a slogan, movement and ideology, encouraging black people to call of a greater racial pride through the creator, You have social, political and economic systems that work for the exclusive benefit, a black people, the black power movement splintered from the mainstream civil rights movement in nineteen. Sixty six The growing number of black people became frustrated with the civil rights movements, commitment to non violence, the origins of the Black Power movement, largely be traced to a man named starkly car, Michael who initially worked alongside Martin Luther King later COM,

go. Embrace Malcolm X is critique of kings, nonviolent strategy and willingness to unite with white people. Car Michael Sub, Billy charted a path towards more radical separatism and a willing to use. Violence Michael also tried to force Martin Luther king to support the black power movement in response, king agreed that black people had been made powerless and needed white people to relinquish their stranglehold on power? However, king also publicly stated that the use of black power as a slogan was an unwise choice and privately said quote black Our was born from the whims of despair and disappointment black power as a cry of pain. It is in fact reaction to the failure white power to deliver the promises and do it in a hurry. The cry of black power is really a cry of hurt. Unquote kings. Observations about the psychology behind the black Power movement suggests that likes Luckily, car Michael Kenny's field, the pain, despair and disappointment have caused him to

and in the way of peace and non violence, however walk Michael, believe that racial pride would help black people overcome their human enemies Kenny Zone emotional Journey throughout Damn as illustrate venomous pride is the very that causes humans not to overcome their oppressors, but rather to be over by the true enemies of their souls. Having been born two decades, after the Black Power movement began. Kenny, knows all too well that the same pain and pattern of thought that cause to see another race as the enemy would event cause them to see another gang as the enemy, another neighbourhood as the enemy and eventually their family as the enemy by saying ain't, no black power when your baby killed by a coward, Kendrick, the writer. Seems to be expressing its conviction that boy, power is self defeating. Would division will always render some people as them and others as us, even within the black community group, I will eventually lead to an endless cycle of death, so long

violent expression of grief, perpetuates more loss, kung, Fu Kenny, the other hand feels his loyalty is to his family. Two members of his own race or the human race and general. He would kill his fellow black man if it means he could protect his own family in such an instant black power goes out. The window as X, x x, continues. Kenny makes it clear the protection of his family remains priority number one body test. My moment dismissed, as does my woman, just my daddy does not just money does not bother you wouldn't matter, but this committee case we go talk about a rifle. Many here list, all his closest family members, the ones for Kenny would seek revenge if anyone wherever to harm them. He then says you should shipping the word, then throw the blower in his lap and the previous two

We heard this formula. Can he said all ship and Edward, but here, at the end of the verse chemises you should shipping Edward Kenny Moose not a theoretical plan for violent retaliation similar to the first verse of Lust Kenny's, giving clear imperatives deceit, instead our men to inside his friend to commit murder. However, for Kenya has the chance to give any more instructions. He tells us Fred Matter of fact, I'm about to speak at this convention call you back Kenny, then abruptly heads up the phone given how enraged Kenny has become. We wonder how you could be in a right frame of mind to give a speech at a convention, seeing how he told his friend to commit murder do the same to those listening to a speech at the convention as the track. Transition to the bridge we hear brief portion of his speech and what is surely the most ironic moment of the entire album Kenny, says our kids we're gonna talk about gun control.

Adding to the irony Kenny, says, pray for me. Despite the fact he just told his friend to disregard spirit as well as gods command to forgive others So, if somehow miss the sheer absurdity of Kenny's contradictions, we also Your voice, a dam in this cause Damn is used to express shock about what we just heard. Mr you have exaggerated irony in such a pivotal track, along with a direct reference to the Alps title establishes that both execs and the outcome as a whole is meant. We heard as satire in literature. Satire is a gene that utilizes exaggerated irony by professor to accept or approve of the very things the author wishes to criticise in doing so The author aims to expose the absurdity of human vices, specifically as it relates contemporary politics as we ve seen thus far in X, X, X, Kenny, is clearly professed. Is it captains and approval of the use of violence to avenge number

once a group from threats posed by others. Meanwhile, These conventions speech not only shows his own hypocrisy, but also the hip. Piracy in the politics of gun control in America. In the years, leading up to damn gun country. Had been one of the most contentious issues in America, largely due to the alarming increase of public mass shootings in the face of such tragedies. Many have called for gun control laws, while other sea an even more of a reason to protect yourself with guns the latter, inclination to see guns as the only way to solve a problem. Of course, mirrors everything we ve heard from Kenny throughout the first verse of x, X, x, The irony and satire revealed itself when directly after advisor His friendship and Edward Kenny promotes control to kids would appear by doing so Kenny ironically embodying the by polarity of America as a whole. That is because Kung Fu Kenny the character I will tell you personifies both sides- the issue- it seems

drink, the writer is exposed but both sides are missing the deeper under influences it. Forces that divide humans in the first place, because division among humans that cause some to feel a need for violence and Kenny's case is group price and his valuing of some human lives more than others and, while some argue gun control could make it harder to execute a violent mindset and appears drink is less concerned about the tools used to enact violence and much more concerned with exposing the mindset that breeds violence and conflict in the first place. This is where satire proves to be a valuable tool in allows Kendrick to critique. Equally Two sides I'm an issue simultaneously and by doing so, except who says that there's something much deeper beneath the two opposing sides at manifest around a certain political issue like we heard unto pimp a butterfly appears candy. Feels that problems that are often seen as political issues are, at their heart, very often spiritual issues, issues

It cannot be fully addressed to resolve with politics alone, while we could arrive These conclusions about contracts, use of satire by just listening to the songs, Lyrics Kendrick Direct We informed us of this literary design during his performance of x x x, at the two thousand. Eight Grammy awards their Kendrick wrapped, the entire first including the line matter fact, I'm about to call you back. Your back. It is here that, can he didn't say the line about gun control instead, here in front of a giant screen that slowly unveiled the words. This is a satire by Kendrick Lamar. This out. When a diversion of the song further confirm our theory that the main function of the bridge is to clearly establish x, x x, in particular and dam in general as Satire d ideas, a little confusing now it'll become painfully clear Once we're through analyzing x x x is final section.

Actual dissect right after the break. Today's episode of dissect is brought you by May tat. Maytag knows extra. Dirty clothes need extra cleaning power- that's, why may take washers now have the extra power button just give it a push boosting fighting on any wash cycle simple as that to learn more it may dark cough? Welcome back to dissect, before the break we discuss, the latter, half of x x x is in verse and its ironic transition into the songs final section, here we get an abrupt change and musical texture moving from key. Attic sirens and violent spastic vocals too gentle. Alternating piano cords and soulful singing

it's an spinal section, that we get the appearance of the last officially credited feature of the album. The irish rock band you too well for members of the bank. Writing credits on the song. The most note your presence is the lead singer bottle like Hendricks the map, Please strategic use of Ryanair and securing the only Officially credited features on damn would also apply that body with strategically chosen as someone who embodies the themes expressed on this track, the most of it. Connection between Kendrick, and you too is faith much like Kendrick. Embers of you, too, are all devoted Christians who manage become widely popular. What causally infusing their music with spiritual themes,

So is this too listen for track title. Your way bottle God to help and refrain from using his fists or his words to tear down others Sunday. We know food Kenny is also struggling with bottle so praise for God to give him the strength to be the source of light in love for the oppressed. Perhaps more than any the song your way explains what inspired bottle to be one of the world's most recognisable philanthropists bottles, just undertaking has been his efforts to end extreme poverty, presumably inspired by Jesus Command, to forgive one another's debts, Banu has spent decades convincing

various developed nations to forgive the debt Developing nations and that the Son of Kenny's friend died because other men refused to forgive his dead body appears to be the perfect purse. To bring coming closer to the spiritual. Indeed, within the context of Ex execs Bonnet almost functions like an angelic herald, a messenger of God who lives the prophet up into the heavens, to view the current world from a divine perspective, Moreover, just like the revelation from the new testament exposed, demonic forces that influence the roman empire. This final section of execs reveals the your spirits that continue to control America. In this final hook, bottles thinks it's not a place. This kind

three to me is a sound bottle begins. Critique against America with a kind of praise. He described. America, not as a geographical location, but instead the conceptual idea, an ideal bottle freedom, He described America in this way, when speaking publicly here's bonnet Just that had a commencement speech he gave at the University of Pennsylvania. I love America because America is not just a country. It's an idea. America is an idea, but it's an idea that brings with it some baggage like power, brings prompt responsibility. It's an idea that brings with it equality but equality, even though its the highest calling is the hardest to according to borrow America's, not just a country, but, more importantly, it's a powerful. I dear. That brings with it the baggage of responsibility elsewhere. The speech bottlenecks

ain't that a major part of this responsibility- to serve America by exposing its concedes. Its foible, and its phony moral servitude we have already seen how the earlier sections of x x x, you sat our to expose the hypocrisy of America regarding violence, and, despite the things: change in tone in instrumentation seems the of x x x will continue. This prophetic critique bottle continues by car. Quickly, comparing America to a sound specific the sound of DR base. We know that humans have communicate it ideas through sound since the dawn of humanity, whether through each or music sound provides people the information and emotions that allow whole groups of people to share the same idea to this boy, Rebecca Is that the drums and base our two core elements that often establishes songs rhythm rhythm? Is Peter pattern of sound the often creates continuity in a piece of music.

Is also the component of music that people dance to allowing a whole group of he bought a move together. Synchronicity hence bought seems to be implying that America's a rhythm that keeps area performing the same collective actions, whether they recognize it or not. Bottle concludes a hook saying Close your eyes to look around this as to his idea that America is not a physical place that If you really want to understand what America is or diagnose its problems, one needs look past the outward manifestation of the problem and instead look at the inner thought. An attitude of all Americans to discover the true rhythm of America, while Bonnet lyrics on their own are pretty clear in terms of how they relate to x, x, x. Thematically, we get a dish, insight when we recognise the same passage would later be used in American, saw attract from you two's, album songs of experience, release seven months after damn

John, coincidentally Kendrick Lamar actually makes it appearance on America. Souls intro Will you give me I like your style for one day, they will have to stand up. Sales, I started can be awkward Kendrick spoken word: peace is a clear. Parity of Jesus is famous sermon about the kingdom of God, as we discuss in our episode on blood, this sir,

began with statements like blessed, are the poor for theirs? Is the kingdom of God bless the meek, for they shall inherit the earth and blow are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. York. Sermon borrows this exact same phrasing. Para and blessing the poor, the meek and the Righteous Kendrick blesses, the filthy, rich, the arrogant boys and the liars. The blessings here. Clearly ironic, for example, he says that forget our bless, because a one day have to stand up to themselves. This use of irony through a parity of Jesus is blessings suggests, that, just like the bridge of X, X, x, kindred go to American saw is meant to be a satire that critiques America Kendrick seems to be embodying a caricature of an american preacher who ironic exalts the same kind of people who are the exact opposite of was that Jesus exalted Piper Son buying such absurdity.

It shows how the contemporary valleys of America are now diametrically opposed to. The kingdom of God starvation that becomes more clear toward the end of american saw oh here things. It be unity, let it be community for refugees. Like you and me, a country to receive us will you our sanctuary, Banu expire, does his belief that America is meant to be a sanctuary both as a holy place where God enters a refuge for oppressed, he means to enter idea, sanctuary for both God and the oppressed is further high, it has bottle ends. The bursting refugees is, course. A combination of the word refugee and Jesus similar,

when Kendrick met Jesus in the form of the homeless, man on how much a dollar caused by urges America to see Jesus in the form of the many refugees searching for. Three to receive them, and so american saw. We find Kendrick You two teaming up to it who's the moral failures of Amerika. Holding America up to the scrutiny of Jesus, his words and way of life, as will hear now. This is exact you, what can he does in the final thematically climactic burst of x, X, x man is Joseph. The great american flag is framed with explosives, compulsive disorder, variegated black symbols, which can you The final verse of x x, x, with one of them, compelling minds on the entire album, Hale Mary Jesus and Joseph the great american flag is rapid, dragged with explosives,

Mary here refers to Jesus. His mother and Joseph first, the man to whom Mary was engaged, which he conceived This was still a virgin, meanwhile Hale men it refers to a traditional catholic prayer, there asked Mary to quote: pray for a sinners now and at the hour of our death, this request for a prayer. Streets. The traditional christian believe that, though to pass away after serving God are not truly dead but are with Jesus as such. Chris its request prayer from those who lived a righteous life while on earth. The language of the hail Mary prayer is large they derive from the first chapter of the gospel according to Luke, having informed by an angel that the Holy Spirit would cause her to give birth to the Messiah. Mary sing. A song wishing It's a lines quote: the Lord scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the humble he has filled the hungry with

things and sent the rich away empty. Unquote, here, Mary Song, foreshadows the core principles of the kingdom of God that Jesus would eventually teach name that God would bring down rich, proud and great nations and lift up poor huh. Or lowly individuals not the hail Mary prayer asks for Marries intervention and that Mary Song is a warning to people who use their power to commit violent acts against other humans. It would appear that Kenya's now requesting Prayer and divine intervention on behalf of the pride for violent america- he says the great american flag is wrapped in dragged with explosives. Here the cut His pride is represented by the great american flag. While the countries violet tendencies are represented by explosives that are wrapped around the flag and dragging America down into the depths. This reference to explosive reminds us that America is a key participant in the military conflict that destabilized

developing nations around the world, enforce millions appeal well to flee from their homes and become refugees this morning? billing image of America clashes with the positive image that America attempts to instil in its citizens from childhood throughout the country sky, was teach children to pleasure allegiance to the flag as a nation. Under God, and take pride in the country's history, specifically military victories in the American Revolution of World WAR. Two yet when we consider America's focus on military power. In the light of Mary Song and the teachings of Jesus, we find that America Fit the board of those violent and proud nations. That Mary claim would one may be brought down by God. Kenny continues positive disorder, son daughters. Here can diagnosis, the troubled psyche of America and compares it does thing akin to obsessive, compulsive disorder were oecd up some of those, he D has obsessive thoughts and compulsory. Save your sick, cannot control and feel

the urge to repeat them over and over again the idea that Urca. Is it a cyclical state of being in which people compulsively repeat the same thoughts and actions Ex Bottles idea of America as a repeated pattern of sound giving Kenny's. Major they american flag, wrapped in explosives, the implicate seems to be that America habitually uses violent force to impose its will on its perceived enemies, both within and outside its borders. In other words, the ring of America as violent confrontation. The constant read of violets posed by compulsive individuals leads to Kenny's. Description of America as a land with barricaded blocks and borders. When dam was least in two thousand. Seventeen Locating the national border was a highly polarizing issue after Donald Trump swore to build. Wall between the United States and Mexico. This was to prevent the immigrants a more rapists and murderers.

This mentality, of course, contrast directly with Baldos view that, historically, America's conceptual idea that welcome the dispossessed and is comprised of immigrants regardless trump. Successfully used in us versus the rhetoric and avoided America's pride to his electoral advantage. The sea venomous pride Kenny has alluded to being at the heart of all violent human conflict, while some in America seem quick to blame poor minorities for the violence at rages in cities Kenny, livers is most damning critique by saying. Look what you taught us are you here remains a personified America in America whose history and ongoing choices teach people around the world that violence is an effective way to assert once independence. That much He has more valuable than human lives and that one can get people to accept your destructive way of life. If you just make it look sexy, of course, these are all trades that conflict Kenny has exhibited throughout the album? Hence the line. Look at you taught us,

and so while America continues to condemn Kenny and people like him from places like Compton at the end of the day, America just condemning itself, which is murdered. My street Janusz dream TAT stream wash the coffin armistice banks, employees with Amazon thoughts done. Then we love were racking promised, not went down my game, but never do we basking thin passage chemical he needs to expose the reality of America by saying, smarter murder on my street, your street Back Street Wall Street corporate offices, banks employ and bosses with almost idle thoughts? Here any undermines the common idea that violence and murder are problems that can be localised to places like Compton can instead asserts that the murderous rhythm of America is found on all our streets, including place

like Wall Street, the most significant place for people to make money Can you shine light into the dark corner offices of Wall Street and informs us that wealthy corporate employees and bosses are beset with recurring homicidal thoughts, while the fear of being rested and losing their wealth might keep such people from admitting their violent thoughts, Kenny's own actions to protect his wealth the stress that, when wealth is threatened, when push comes to shove, Those who are rich by just murder, with their own hands, to protect their livelihood next Kenny, says Donald Trump in office. We lost by Iraq and promise never to doubt em again here he might be alluding to the theory that the current degree of corporate greed and racist stereotypes are a direct result of Donald Trump political rhetoric. According to this, view. We could have avoided this state of affairs if only Barack Obama was still the President or if America Prick did what it had before. He left office

but just as soon as Kenny considers this diagnosis. He a meeting we dismantle set saying, but as a honest or do we Baskin Syn Can he seems to suggest that the problem is not really with us losing Brok or electing Trump? At the end of the day, trumps simply revealed Evil tendencies already deeply entrenched in America. His election merely forced us to be honest with ourselves. Way to see this inconsistency in the american individual, Look at how Hiphop artists have traditionally refer to Donald Trump in their lyrics beginning in the late eightys, the wealth egotism. Arrogance, chauvinism, love of power and lack of self control. That Trump displayed cause wrappers frequently compared themselves to him. Here's wrapper by be doing just that and you GK's one thousand nine hundred and ninety two trek pocket full of stone

they gave me a pocketful of stones and be claims at his wealth, expanding business, venture exploitation of women and ruling authority were all reasons why he should be called black trump decades later after Trump was elected president but be said. He regretted writing these lines and claimed I wrote them quote before we knew who he really was as a person unquote, ironically, Bundy's depiction black trump and ninety. Ninety two is quite soon There are two how most quote: unquote woke individuals when depict trump today, after all, Trump didn't change he's the same: arrogant, chauvinists, Dick self serving wealth chasing person. Many wrappers were quick to reference as a viable They saw him the person they wanted to be, or at least the embodiment of the persona. They looked portray in this way

The problem may not be that America didn't know who trump really was the problem may either. As came, he says America, is it being honest with itself that we, Edna, who trump really was and were attracted to it individually and the country, the problem, maybe that trumps more negative trades appeal to those deep dark tenant. These in our dna, and we want try them out on ourselves. Under the guise of the american dream that is until we suffered from their consequences. According to Kenny, The problem may be that, when push comes to shove, America would still prefer to ask in the darkness of self serving sin pride and wickedness rather and be exposed by the light of forgiveness of weakness of God.

But it's a member governments. Do we bear skins, then pass that makes it with the man came back gripping Nike married to allow access is Kenny, wraps, pass the gin and mixed with american blood, then bash em in June is, of course, a tie of alcohol, commonly mix with other beverages to form cocktails, Kenny's cocktail. Gin and american blood seems to be showing us what it's like to be under the influence of America might be more dangerous than alcohol, as after drinking american blood, Kenny Batches, someone's headin. Yet again, it would appear that the american rhythm is one of violence. This idea gets deeper, though When we recall our analysis of the track blood there, we d ass the ancient belief that life is found in the blood of humans and animals because of this belief drinking

it became a common ritual and many ancient polytheistic religions as a way to apply divine favour, power and physical strength. This idea in once the ritual called communion in which the followers of Jesus, eat his body in the form of bread and drink is blood in the. Form of why this ritual was supposed to help Jesus? Is followers receive his power to forgive and strength and your suffering so that they can fly Oh Jesus is way of life, however, right then drinking Jesus is blood, can his chosen to drink America's blood? Thus, he's a the american rhythm, the american they have life a way of life that would prefer to condemn, rather than forgive and kill, rather than suffer. Indeed, as we noted after drinking american blood, Canada, size sized Abash in this act of violence. Also, just that kemys drinking american blood, because his blood thirsty a term that we first, as someone who is eager to shed blood

continues to add layers of meaning to the word blood. As he says you Crippen, or you married to blood I'll, ask again here can he seems to be asking whether America will choose to become boil to either the crypts or the blood. The two most Miss rival gains from southern California. The fact that both option involve joining a notorious gang. Just an America's incapable of escaping its own violent way of life,. We should also remember that crypts distinguish themselves by weighing blue while blood's, where Red mirrors, the colors associated with american political parties, as Democrats are repressed and with Blue, while Republic it's a represented with red, hence the choice, encryption blood merely. Increasingly polarized and hostile environment created by America's political choice between the Democrats and Republicans Kendrick

she drew this exact comparison. The song could politics, we have to keep a butterfly from another, no might have known them again raised. I say what I think I was gonna drive stars like Brown is the language. Nor can they just like any bashing in someone's face after drinking american blood. The choice between red and blue on x x is a baby he followed by an implied act of violence. First, each as additional attention to his question, saying I'll, ask again and then pauses briefly for response. We dont here answer rather came. He says oops accident, the seams, to apply that Kenny. After questioning what, I will gain we pledge our allegiance to commit an act of violence, We heard a similar scenario presented in good kid mad city, when Kendrick gets jumped after being asked by both gang members.

And police officers. What gang he's affiliated with, in both cases, Kendrick em ITALY, False prayed, a violence if Kenny is drawing an analogy between rival gangs and rival political parties. It would appear is demonstrating. Our political system encourages polarization at hostility, allowing each other pretty, and all those who pleasure allegiance to each party blame the other for the sins of America, which, in turn allows them to wash their own hands of any blood of responsibility that is the way that is better overnight rifles detail facts to scatter gang members. Voltaire rustics better, run America's reflections on me. That's what I'm married does can It begins this section. It's now Fifty when you set us up given the direct, reference to trump earlier in the verse. Can I use the word nasty may be strategic

It's a word trump infamously use repeatedly throughout his presidential campaign. However, here Execs can expresses when he feels to be truly nasty and that's a hypocrite injustice committed by America specifically he claims that America has said? Is community up going? to describe America rolling the dice and bedding us up implying that Erica's currency gambling with the lives of unwanted minorities can be, then more specific, saying you overnight, the big rifles when we pair this line with the previous line about setting as community up it seems. Kendrick is referencing, the C. I a alleged involvement in the crack cocaine epidemic, in LOS Angeles during the nineteen eighties. Just cited this event several times in his work, including in the hood politics excerpt. We just heard moments as well as in the Sun Wesley's theory, were Kendrick describes. Risks

a firearm straight from the CIA. When I last Thursday, six days ass, a model on a blind was Eighteen, ninety six Gary Way famously reported that throughout the nineteen Eightys, the CIA, oh finances, covert war against Nicaragua through sales. Cocaine, the South central L, a drug dealer, Ricky Ros- was also ordered that black gangs use their profits to buy automatic weapons. Sometimes One of the CIA link drug dealers this week, The appears to be alluding to with the line you overnight. The big rifles, but America's set up doesn't and here the huge influx of coke in LOS Angeles, came exe actually went street level. Drug dealers figured out how to make cocaine affordable by changing into crack after crack can you skyrocketed in LOS Angeles, the end drug abuse, acts of nineteen? Eighty six and eighty eight, which were part of the

so called war on drugs, established, what's known as the one hundred to one ratio refers to the large disparity between the mandatory prison sentences of crack cocaine versus powder cocaine, for example, possession of five grams of crack cocaine when mandate the same minimum sentence as five hundred grams of powder cocaine. Many felt this. And thence disparity deliberately targeted low income minorities as the cheaper crackers, and was most prevalent in low income, inner city neighborhoods like Compton, the most Some governments statistics available show that in two thousand five african Americans, also two more than eighty percent of those sentenced, a federal prison for crack cocaine offences. Despite two thirds of I cocaine users being why or a spanish things get more disturbing when we recognise that the two biggest presidential proponents of the war on drugs mayor racist present.

Richard Nixon invented the war on drugs, the nineteenth seventies according to need their own domestic policy. Chief John Ehrlichman, the Nixon White House had to enemies quote the Anti war left and black people. In this aim interview with Harpers magazine Ehrlichman, said quote: we knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the like to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin then criminalizing both heavily we could disrupt. Those communities we could have. Ass, their leaders, raid their homes break up their meetings and vilify night after night on the evening, news do we know we were lying about the drugs. Of course we did unquote. During this same era, president Dixon and then California, Governor Ronald Reagan, had a full conversation that was captured on tape and recently surfaced in twenty nineteen in the tape

you were conversing about the african delegates in the U N, one amendment uncomfortable wherever they may do away with murder, tailored your dog In case you missed it Ronald Reagan. Here too, the amusement of President Nixon refers to african monkeys the art comfortable wearing shoes. Yet This is the same Ronald Reagan that was the president of the United States during a majority of the nineteen eighties, double down on the war on drugs policies. Nixon began a decade prior and oh, given all the information we just covered. The CIA involvement in the crack epidemic deal. Duration, targeting of the war on drugs enacted by Nixon in Reagan we. Her stand. Why some might feel, as Kenny does than America

deliberately sets up its black community to fail Kenny Caps office critique of the accuracy of America saying you overnight. The big rifles then tell Fox to be scared of us gang members or terrorist, etc, etc. Here Kenny your visit is criticism. I fox NEWS, as you know, Fox NEWS played a significant role in the first three tracks of the album and our discussion of these references we noted how far news is seen as an influential mouthpiece for a certain segment of right wing. Conservative many accused Fox news for creating false narratives about certain minority groups such as portraying all black people as criminals more. Recently, all middle Eastern P, less terrorists. This these to the lime gang members are terrorists, etc. Etc my trailing with etc, the location seems to be that America routinely depicts its minorities as a threat that might take the form of all black men being gang members. All

easterners being terrorists all makes it and being rapists and criminals, all vietnamese P, being communist all Americans being savages all jewish people being greed. Etc, etc. Though the specifics change throughout the years. The strategy does not like creating an internal enemy that is an enemy that lives in your own country, those that employ, The strategy can point to these vilify communities, a blame them for the problems of the country in turn, allows them to deflect any personal accountability. This idea leads Kenny. To conclude, as prophetic revelation with a powerful final line, let's have another listens to gain members. Voltaire run better run America's reflections on me. That's what I'm married dusk came. He says American, reflections on me. That's what I'm, air does.

In many ways, this line is the summation of the entire verse, the entire track, the entire AL, the entire legacy of hip hop as we being throughout this verse. America's quick to blame Porno press people for the chaos and destruction both inside and beyond its borders. However, when America since its fingers at the thought of behaviors of others? It's really just point. He gets finger at itself because Erica standing in front of a mere America has four on what it looks like forgotten, was created to be a refuge in a light for as inscribed in the statue of liberty, the tired poor, or an huddled masses yearning to breathe free, forgetting what it looks like America's. The perfect illustration of what James the same. Local leader Kenny quoted on, must meant, when he said quote, for anyone who merely here's the word of God and not do what word says that person like one who looks at himself in a mere free.

Looks at himself an on going away. A media forgets. What do you like America is? a person whose forgotten what she looks like as a result of wilfully choosing to ignore gods, words about love and forgiveness. Rather teaching us, how to love our neighbour and forgive our enemies. America That is how to rise up against our oppressors, how to kill or be build for the sake of living independently and pursuing our. On individual happiness, american capitalism. What is that money is the key to this happiness. Our pursuit of money, a marriage the taught us that sex cells, so money murder, our dna- this is the most. For which come from Kenny has simply been a container a means of transport. A vessel conflict me is a mere of America. Aus fella, I use me as a vessel period. You know whether to show my floss, whether show my intellect

the show my pain show my heart to share my stories to share his message. All across the war you know does desert me personally has always been a vessel. We not say the nastiest Stephen record period, but I still feel like as a vessel. You need to hear it because I can share the coat. The reality was gone on earlier occasions, the reality of my imperfections as we look back on the album now he could see wine interviews, Kendrick claim to be gods vessel and why he claimed God uses both. Hendricks Intelligence and his imperfections Kendrick, Eliza in order to expose the nasty realities in America and, importantly to do so with humility he would first have to Both the nasty realities and up self, like Jesus You have to stand in front of the most powerful empire in the world and be condemned for his message of hope,

hence, while we may have originally thought that dams narrative is the narrative of Kendrick Lamar, Duckworth We now see that the satire that is damn is also the narrative of the United States of America. Europe has alluded to this fact throughout the album on DNA. Did what seem to be a personal exploration of his own trades by encompassing us off sex money on ya, And in what seemed to be a personal rejection of God's caught a prophecy by income, I saw implying that guy, It was also calling each and every one of us now know that we have the song element. Kenny's personal. Expression of self preservation of violence includes Align guy damn us all. If you won't implying that God condemn all those who live in wickedness, not just Kenny Loyalty

Kenny ended what seem to be a personal exploration of loyalty by asking we all or most loyal to only two. Suggest. That's what God for The latter is in any way that anybody he was anybody. You want private, a song, mostly about Kenny's admission of his imperfections, Kenny, briefly wine, his lands and propose that sick men and women were overcome with venomous pride. And ended the song declaring that the world a shit, but God is perfect, I'll, take all the religions and put them all in one service. Just as telling wind shit, but he's been perfect world at the end of blunt can indict all of us. Demanding that, rather than pointing the finger of blame, we I examined how our own daily routines, are contributing to wickedness in the world I love can begins by asking lover lust owing to fall

with the statement. All of us while these subtle universal applications may be easily overlooked. Up until now, the album x x x, makes it painfully clear Kenny's meticulous self assessment of the darker aspects of his character is also a satirical assessment of America's darker aspects, which includes, all those who reside within our borders. As Bondo noted America, like Kung Fu Kenny, was called to be applied speaking truth and reaching out to the poor and oppressed. However, like candy on ya. We decided to follow its own intuition to pursue sex money and murder like Kenya Element America, justice, eyes, preemptive violence in the name of self preservation and self Protection like Kenny on, feel America, feels a strain in isolation of its confrontational way of life, Kenya, loyalty, America demand so everyone pleasure blind in ultimate allegiance, like Kenny on pride

America realised and was founded upon striving towards gods perfection. But, like Kenya, Humble America, continues to arrogantly exalt itself, while knocking down others like Must America reaped the benefits, a b friendly to the unjust systems of the world Kenny on love, Erica knows that love and forgiveness is the only way to true peace, but, like Kenny on X, X, x, America remains unable to forgive the debts of those who feel they wronged it kung fu. Any, is not only Kendrick Omar Kung Fu Ken. Is America, and that means Kung Fu Kenny. Is you because that's what a mere does votes.

No because for the sharks EU level, with a word on numerous occasions,.