In an interview The Guardian, Kendrick Lamar spoke on many things: his insecurities, why he made To Pimp A Butterfly so “unapologetically black,” growing up in Compton, and even said some things about his next album.
On TPAB:
“It’s really about me trying to balance these worlds – where I used to be and where I am today – from all different angles,” he says. “This album was therapy for me. I was looking at myself in the mirror and trying to figure out who I really am.”
On race:
“These are issues that if you come from that environment it’s inevitable to speak on,” he says in a studio dressing room, twanging a wodge of mint-green gum between his fingers. “It’s already in your blood because I am Trayvon Martin, you know. I’m all of these kids. It’s already implanted in your brain to come out your mouth as soon as you’ve seen it on the TV. I had that track way before that, from the beginning to the end, and the incident just snapped it for me.”
It’s often said that rappers are discouraged from speaking out about politics by a controversy-shy record industry but Kendrick isn’t buying it. “No, there’s no excuse,” he says. “It’s really just about integrity. We all like to have fun. I like to have fun, too. But where do you stop and say, ‘You know what? There’s actually some real shit going on out there that people can relate to more than any singalong I can bring to the table.’”
On his next album:
“I know exactly what I want to say next,” he says with a teasing smile, still playing with his gum. “Everything is going to make sense – not only to myself but to anybody who wants to understand life and music. Everything will make a little more sense.”
