sankofa vow • keeping the promise

Mz Chillin, Kendrick, or Drake? My response is always Kendrick. 

A random yet surprisingly frequent question from the teens I work with in the Bay Area is, “Mz Chillin, Kendrick, or Drake?” My response is always Kendrick. His music, with its powerful messages and unique style, has not only had a profound impact on my work with teens but also inspired them in ways I could never have imagined. Utterly oblivious to the rivalry between the two rappers, my choice is purely based on my playlist favorites: 

• B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe,

• Love

• Poetic Justice

• Alright and 

• Humble

Every summer, I choose a theme for the teens that resonates with a core value of our center. This year, “Not Like Us” took the lead. As spring drew to a close, I searched for a song that would ignite energy, confidence, and a hint of arrogance — elements I believe are crucial in awakening the dormant self-esteem in young people. Kendrick Lamar’s music was the perfect fit for this purpose.

They not like us, they not like us,
They not like us, they not like us,
Once upon a time, all of us was in chains

Homie still doubled down
callin’ us some slaves

Atlanta was the Mecca,
buildin’ railroads and trains

Bear with me for a second,
let me put y’all on game

The settlers was usin’ town folk
to make ’em richer

Fast-forward, 2024,
you got the same agenda

You run to Atlanta when you
need a check balance

Let me break it down for you,
this the real [Kendrick] challenge

You called Future when you didn’t see the club (ayy, what?)

Lil Baby helped you get
your lingo up (what?)

21 gave you false street cred

Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head (ayy, what?)

Quavo said you can be from
Northside (what?)

2 Chainz say you good, but he lied

You run to Atlanta when
you need a few dollars

No, you not a colleague, you a
[this use of profanity was removed and I placed my index finger over my closed lips] colonizer ...

(A verse from Kendrick Lamar lyrics Not Like Us)

I make no apologies for Kendrick’s frequent use of inappropriate racial slurs; instead, I rely on creative, skilled audio editors and DJs to find clean versions for appropriate occasions. It is not a passive stance. I took matters into my own hands, using my skills to create a walk-in song featuring multiple choruses and the most impactful verse from the track. I made sure to indicate clearly that such words were not permissible in our center, striking a delicate balance between the music’s raw energy and the values we uphold.

I understand that the Canadian rapper Drake and the American rapper Kendrick Lamar have been engaged in a rap feud since the early 2010s. Honestly, I refuse to give much energy to their battle because it’s confusing and unnecessary. However, I do acknowledge that Drake mentioned in one of his diss tracks that, “Kendrick raps like he wants to free the slaves.” All I know is anger can draw out the cold, hard truth from the contenders, leading artists to unleash a dragon of silent thoughts transformed into cold lyrics over dope beats. (Shout out to Mustard for those beats!)

As I scrolled through TikTok, I was both impressed and entertained by the plethora of young individuals fully embracing the lyrics and their own identities while dancing and energetically expressing themselves to the song “Not Like Us.” From lively graduation celebrations and joyful wedding receptions to the recent appearance of Vice President Kamala Harris, and possibly the new President of the United States, at the “We Are Not Going Back” rally in Atlanta, Georgia, it has become clear that “Not Like Us” by talented rapper Kendrick Lamar is a standout track, showcasing Kendrick’s exceptional skill and artistry.

The renowned rapper, released his “Not Like Us” music video on July 4th. Additionally, at a concert on Juneteenth, he performed “Not Like Us” five times, which got the crowd excited. Snoop Dogg even crowned him the King of the West for bringing together two rival gangs on stage during the concert.

Kendrick was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, CA. He is not just an American rapper and songwriter but a significant figure in the music industry. He is featured in Billboard and Vibe’s 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time and he won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018. Known for his socially conscious songwriting, he has left a lasting impact on the industry.

One of the most inspiring things about Kendrick is his authentic nature. Whether he is filming with people from his Compton community or expressing gratitude to God and his parents, his genuineness resonates with audiences and viewers. 

He is the first child of Kenneth “Kenny” Duckworth and Paula Oliver. Kendrick’s parents are from the South Side of Chicago. They moved to Compton in 1984 escaping the ills of the city. Named after Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks, Kendrick grew up as a loner until he was seven, when his siblings were born.

His performances have reignited the elements of the Crip Walk and Krump dancing, showcasing his unique and captivating style. His falsetto rapping sets an ethereal tone, highlighting his complex relationship with the world. When performing, his calm, smooth demeanor and humble style of clothing speaks volumes.  

Despite his tough upbringing, Kendrick has fond memories of his childhood, such as sneaking into house parties. More importantly, he acknowledges spending time with his grandmother who provided him with a religious education, and he occasionally attended church. 

Noted in a public interview, his early experiences of witnessing the 1992 Los Angeles riots and police brutality has had a profound impact on him.

The song “Not Like Us” has various interpretations, but one thing is clear: it brings people together, creating an atmosphere of celebration where we can bob our heads to its catchy lyrics feeling the vibrations of cultural and self-pride as we sing-a-long, “They not like us, they not like us.”

I am Chillin Kabba, Innovative Extraordinaire  for The Soultown Magazine. I want to thank rapper, Kendrick Lamar and his team for having SOUL!