Why Kendrick Lamar Mentioned Obama While Gorillaz Blew Him Out: An SEO-Optimized Analysis
When discussing song lyrics, the mention of public figures can be a double-edged sword. Kendrick Lamar's song Humble earned a significant mention of Barack Obama, whereas the Gorillaz abstained from naming him in their track Ascension. This article delves into the reasons behind these different decisions, unpacking the context and legal considerations that influenced their choices.
Context and Intent in Kendrick Lamar's "Humble"
Kendrick Lamar's decision to directly reference Barack Obama in Humble (2017) was rooted in a positive and celebratory context. In the lyrics, Lamar included:
It’s murder on my street your street back streets Wall Street
Corporate offices banks employees and bosses with
Homicidal thoughts Donald Trump’s in office
We lost Barack and promised to never doubt him again
But is America honest or do we bask in sin
This explicit mention is part of a broader discourse about societal issues. By mentioning Obama, Lamar acknowledges his historic impact while critique current political climates, making the reference a cultural statement rather than a simple glorification or demonization.
The Gorillaz Approach: Prudence and Autonomy
Gorillaz, on the other hand, chose not to include any names of public figures in their album Humanz. According to lead singer Damon Albarn, this decision was intentional and a reflection of their artistic philosophy. As Albarn stated in an interview with Billboard:
In order not to contribute to his widespread fame and cultural pervasion, I, and Damon, intentionally chose to bleep out 45's name everywhere it occurred on the album, just as I and Damon choose to identify him by the number of his presidency rather than by the name I’ve seen written in golden letters across so many ugly buildings. It seems that we decided to do the same with Obama’s name as well.
Albarn's explanation highlights the Gorillaz's adherence to a principle of not perpetuating the fame and influence of politically charged individuals through their music. This choice allows the band to maintain their distance from political entanglements and avoid potential legal issues like defamation or misrepresentation.
Legal Considerations and Artist Autonomy
The decision to mention or avoid mentioning a public figure in song lyrics often hinges on legal considerations. While there is no specific law mandating the censorship of presidential names in lyrics, artists must be wary of legal ramifications. A negative or misinformed mention of a public figure could lead to legal disputes, including defamation claims or accusations of misrepresentation.
In Lamar's case, the context of his lyrics likely provided a buffer for potential legal issues. However, Albarn's approach with Gorillaz emphasizes the importance of artist autonomy in shaping the narrative and message of their music free from legal constraints.
Additional Examples and Trends
Several other artists have demonstrated the potential for mentioning presidents without censorship. In Kendrick Lamar's own work, there are instances where he references presidents directly. For instance:
In the track XXX (2017), Lamar includes:
It’s murder on my street your street back streets Wall Street
Corporate offices banks employees and bosses with
Homicidal thoughts Donald Trump’s in office
We lost Barack and promised to never doubt him again
But is America honest or do we bask in sin
In Big Sean's track "No Favors" (2017), Eminem offers another example:
Trump’s a bitch I’ll make his whole brand go under
Oh yeah and then there’s this:
That mentions presidents past present and future:
Reagan sold coke
Obama sold hope
Donald Trump spent his trust-fund money on the vote.
These examples highlight that, in the absence of explicit legal requirements, artists have the freedom to choose how and when to mention public figures. The decision often reflects the artist's message, legal considerations, and personal ethos.
Conclusion and Analysis
The ability to mention a public figure in a song ultimately boils down to context and artist intent. Kendrick Lamar and Gorillaz made different choices based on their artistic goals and legal considerations. Kendrick Lamar's direct mention of Obama was a cultural statement, while Gorillaz opted for a more restrained approach to maintain their artistic autonomy.