Then he dropped O.D., and folks really began to take notice. Like any young artist, he was playing by the numbers on tapes such as Training Day, but Kendrick Lamar began to be something far greater than the norm on his audaciously lengthy self-titled EP. Instead, with ever-increasing vigor, K.Dot has been uprooting the sleepily comfortable scene.
![kendrick lamar section 80 album kendrick lamar section 80 album](https://www.antiwarsongs.org/img/upl/kendrick-lamar-throwing-out-dodgers-first-pitch-fdrmx.jpg)
Dre’s given the kid props, but Lamar’s hardly relying on the good doctor. The antithesis of the only young hip hop artist to lay claim to the sort of significance he’s seeking – that’d be Drake – Lamar didn’t have soap opera fame or big name artists leaping out of the woodwork to create his career for him. To be sure, buzz has been kind to the young Compton MC, but in the age old tale, as his star brightens, the envy only grows. Does this give us a reason to detract from the latest hot shot’s moment? Certainly not – one way or another, Kendrick Lamar has gotten himself this far. There’s some truth to that – as much as fans of the latest up-and-comer may object, there’s no denying the hundreds of could-have-beens who simply never catch wind. He’s got some growing to do, but for a 24-year-old, he’s already off to a great start.They say it all comes down to hype. If Lamar finds some cohesion in his lyrical content, and cuts down the length of his albums, he will easily become one of the scene’s dominant forces. Lamar has taken a step forward, but Section 80 is not without its faults. “Hol’ Up” sees him discuss his ambition to join the mile-high club in a ineloquent manner, and then a few tracks later he’s projecting feminist ideology and championing inner beauty on “No Make-Up (Her Vice).” It’s not to say these two things can’t coexist, but placing juvenile desires next to adult understanding feels like Lamar is at a crossroads, either grow up or pander to Odd Future’s crowd – a group he mentions on closer “HiiiPoWer.” Unfortunately, with a few misses included, it is bloated and spottier than it should be.Ī secondary issue is that Lamar’s age is leading him down two different paths. If Section 80 cut three or four songs from its tracklist – specifically form it’s weaker first hald – it could very easily prove to be one of the year’s best.
![kendrick lamar section 80 album kendrick lamar section 80 album](https://dieboltdesigns.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/section80-copy.png)
The album is overall a success, but at an hour long it begins to drag. The biggest problems with Section 80 are ones that are becoming incredibly commonplace in the hip-hop world. An infectious hook courtesy of Ashtro Bot paints a picture of “Fancy girls on Long Beach Boulevard,” and brings in images of the early-‘90s Southern California hip-hop scene without merely aping its spirit. “Keisha’s Song (Her Pain)” brings back a slower tempo that brings Lamar’s lyrics to the forefront. Section 80 features one more production credit from Tae Beast, and it is equally as impressive. Producer Tae Beast allows Lamar to explore with his phrasing, and it sees Lamar crafting lengthy verses that are consistent throughout. Pairing this with a baritone hook, the track builds to some of Lamar’s most impressive verses. “Ronald Reagan Era” not only features a guest spot from the RZA, but it boasts a downtrodden feel that wouldn’t be out of place on an alt-country record. While a good chunk of Section 80 does reference commercially successful genre staples, when Lamar moves beyond that is when the album truly shines. Despite this, Lamar’s ability to meld disparate styles is quite impressive. The track’s production is almost too clean in spots, taking away from his slightly acerbic flow and ravenous delivery. Opening with “Fuck Your Ethnicity,” Lamar shows he is willing to break down barriers. Section 80 sees the 24-year-old Lamar offer up his strongest album to date, and finally begin to deliver on the promise of his early work. Dre, Lamar has crafted an album that pulls from a myriad of influences.
![kendrick lamar section 80 album kendrick lamar section 80 album](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yh6QxtRpSH8/hqdefault.jpg)
Eschewing the gangsta rap archetype, and having little in common with the G-funk stylings of Dr. roots shine through on his most recent album, but not in the way one would expect.