I’ve reviewed a lot of albums during my several stints as ‘The Experienced Listener’. Just about two weeks ago I had the pleasure of witnessing rapper Kendrick Lamar drop one of the greatest Hip Hop albums I’ve heard in years. Some are even saying it’s one of the greatest albums in music period; time will tell once the butterflies of the moment have passed. That being said, the album’s title is To Pimp a Butterfly; ‘sounds crazy until you hear Kendrick’s explanation on the final track of the album. There’s been so much poorly-made, artless Hip Hop music in recent years, and many of us have been waiting for that “special” album to come out to make Hip Hop magical again. Well, this album was it. Merry Christmas :-)
…Now, picture a little school in Augusta, Georgia. Where a teacher who grew up in the Hip Hop generation comes to school excited to hear what the kids are saying about this magnificent album. Only to find out they haven’t heard it, haven’t heard of it, and have no desire to hear it. Only to hear, “Oh yeah, I’m not really into him, he’s different” or “I can’t get with the sound.”
“…Different? …Can’t get with the sound? Bruh--- I mean, ‘Young Man’! That’s OUR sound! That’s the sound WE created!”
It’s downright frightening having to help young African Americans acquire at taste for the music that their own forefathers laid the foundations for.
I mean, when I was coming up, while not every one of us was an aficionado, there was yet a certain appreciation in us for the styles our people invented. Through sampling, Hip Hop constantly reminded us of our jazz, funk, blues, rock, and soul roots. But hey, what better place for music education to happen than at school, right? Because school used to be the place you would come to get exposed to the arts in your early developmental stages. However, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and many other states in the South East have some of the largest poverty pockets in the country. And we know that poverty results in the cutting of school programs, normally starting with the arts programs. As the arts get pushed further and further toward the back of the educational agenda, music programs become more and more superficial, and in many cases are eliminated altogether. So while students throughout the wealthier parts of the country indulge in the funky, experimental, jazz-fusion/Hip Hop sounds of To Pimp A Butterfly and call it ‘brilliant’, students in my region look at this album as a chaotic mess of unknown, unfamiliar racket and call it ‘whack’.
…And then ask for trap music. X-\
Not to “make it about race” here, but… in 2015 I find it strange that my Black students don’t know who Coltrane is. Strange that my Black students haven’t heard of Miles Davis. Thelonious Monk. Jimi Hendrix. Strange that few listen to Prince. That they know little of Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, and Parliament Funkadelic. That they’re oblivious to B.B. King. …Being that we’re in Augusta, I know they at least know about James Brown, but few can explain what makes his music special or tell you that he inspired Fela Kuti. Few know about Lalah Hathaway, let alone her father Donny. Few have ever heard of War or listen to the Isley Brothers. If my students haven’t been exposed to this type of music--- how could they possibly digest something as intricate as Kendrick Lamar’s new album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which draws from MANY if not ALL of these influences? And it’s such a tragedy, because this is an album whose message is directed specifically AT these students and their unique experience.
…How many of my Black students grow up learning to master live instruments--- other than marching band instrumental, I mean. You hear music differently when you actually play guitars and basses and pianos and saxophones; if you never have the chance to learn about and explore these instruments, how can you appreciate the brilliant accompaniments of bassist Thundercat and saxophonist Terrace Martin found on this album?Kendrick says that his album “isn’t a classic… yet.” If you ask me, I know exactly what that ‘yet’ is--- it won’t be a classic until the young Hip Hop generation gets back in touch with its musical roots. Until it dares to step away from the boom bap, from the trap, from what’s popular in the clubs, and really acquires a taste for the foundations of Black music that made it all possible. The daring improvisational jazz. The gritty funk, the screaming rock, and the wailing soul of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.
But ya know, it’s really not a race thing (you can breathe now). It’s an economics thing. The distribution of wealth determines the opportunities our schools can afford. So I’d like to send a message to Kendrick Lamar, Rapsody, J.Cole, Joey Bada$$, Truez, and every other artist who really has something to say: if you really want to be heard, you should be leading the way in supporting the arts in education and literacy programs. Through exposure and education, my students can learn to appreciate all the hard work you put into your creations. But without that, they will settle for what’s easily accessible and turn a deaf ear to anything that takes them out of their comfort zones. Don’t let your best efforts be found without intelligent ears that are willing to listen!
#HERELIESEDUCATION
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Excellent post...very true points brought up!
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