[W T Clark]

People still die because of verses in America — though I will not go so far as to call it "poetry". Still, this place is a place for verses, at least?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68972253

[Yves S L]

Negative behaviour has negative consequences, go figure!

[John Riley]

I heard about this and thought maybe one stole the other’s girlfriend or millions were lost. Nope, it’s because of a couple of lines in a couple of songs. It’s always interesting how the bigger your name and wallet are the thinner the ego gets. Maybe there’s an algorithm.

[Mark McDonnell]

Maybe the shooting was nothing to do with the Kendrick Lamar beef. Maybe it was someone who paid good money for Drake's actual "poetry" book.

https://youtu.be/Hug84vXvc_4?si=irq4uOcTJiJEE5LJ

[E. Shaun Russell]

We've come a long way from Byron's "diss track" of Keats's "piss-a-bed poetry."

[Ann Drysdale]

I am remembering, a little sadly, the Flyting threads on D&A. Those were the days.

[Nick McRae]

Hip hop isn't for everyone, but some of Kendrick's work is worth a look. For someone who grew up in poverty in Compton, surrounded by gang culture, his work is revolutionary in the genre, and in American black culture.

I always keep in mind that there are limits to what hip hop artists can express in their albums. And for most of them the career is about escaping poverty and supporting their families, not making art.

But many of Kendrick Lamar's albums are definitely worth looking at, if for no other reason than to see a young black man completely subvert the culture of the genre, and demonstrate black consciousness.

And he also won a Pulitzer.

Drake's music is just radio pop.

[John Riley]

I’m a little familiar with Kendrick’s music. I know too many younger to not be.

My comment was about the silliness of the conflict. The tender little egos hurt.

[Nick McRae]

I should have thrown that post on the delete pile. It sounded like Cameron hadn't explored hip hop much and the details are interesting. The genre's also never seen someone like Lamar.

As for the beef, it's hard for these guys to de-escalate conflicts like this. Their careers and livelihood are on the line, and everyone's watching. There's a whole history of it in rap, and for some it didn't turn out too well.

But the shooting throws me off. If it wasn't for that I would have guessed this was a publicity stunt. Hopefully nobody else gets hurt.

[Jim Moonan]

.
Nick: Hip hop isn't for everyone, but some of Kendrick's work is worth a look. For someone who grew up in poverty in Compton, surrounded by gang culture, his work is revolutionary in the genre, and in American black culture."


Hmm. In the main, I don't think they are documenting what it is like growing up surrounded by gang culture as much as they are exploiting it. Self-absorption, fame and destructive language will get you somewhere fast: nowhere. Nowhere is where the two have officially arrived. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show.

I find it impossible to separate the garbage from the flowers that is hip hop/rap. I recognize the gift, but reject the gift giver.

See Mark's link above.

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