Generation Y, although a sketchy definition, are those born from the 1980s to mid 1990s. We in this era think we must fix the mistakes of the past, turn over the rock of our present and create the inventions of the future. That’s a lot on our shoulders. While some rappers who choose to entertain us with buffoonery (insert Waka Flocka, Roscoe Dash, etc.) and a few words that rhyme together, there is a breed that chooses to inform us by bringing up topics that aren’t easy to swallow on radio play (insert B.O.B., Lupe Fiasco, Amy Winehouse, etc.).

On “Ab-Soul’s Outro” Kendrick informs “see a lot of ya’ll can’t understand Kendrick Lamar because you wonder how I can talk about money, hoes, clothes, God and history all in the same sentence…” After getting over my ear-gasms for the production of his music, I started to understand that he really did talk about money, hoes, clothes, God and history all in the same sentence and caused an interaction between my thoughts and his music. It’s like listening to a great speech that sparked a conversation in your mind, with yourself. When he raps about smoking “Kush” and reading Corinthians from the bible, you become intrigued about his relationship with the Creator versus criticizing how he developed it. When he gives vivid storytelling details about prostitutes, domestic violence, drug addiction, politics and ethnicities, how can one simply listen for beats alone? You can’t. You have to think. You have to ask and answer questions. That’s taking up the cause and complaints of our peers and putting them through the loud speaker.

He packages his message in a box full of surprises and delivers it in on an honest and raw platform. Aside from the incessant swear words and sometimes “too deep for a song” topics, Kendrick Lamar is doing exactly what he is supposed to...representing who he is, who I am and our generation. And that in totality is simply truth.

***
Kimberly Nishell is a freelance writer and author of the novella, Apple Sugar Spice. Her novel, Rich Predicaments, will be published in 2012. Find more music and literature musings at her blog, http://www.kimberlynishell.blogspot.com.