Dope Souf Magazine Aprl 15 | Page 7

Momma”

Just a little over the halfway mark and K. Dot taps resilient Los Angeles-based producer Knxledge for this neo-soul hip-hop lovechild. Led by a sample from Sly and the Family Stone’s “Wishful Thinking,” and the soothing sounds of Lalah Hathaway and Bilal, the rapper's canvas is set to transition seamlessly throughout the war going on in his mind. Yet he still embraces success and feelings of resentment. “Remember scribblin', scratchin' diligent sentences backwards / Visiting freestyle cyphers for your reaction / Now I can live in a stadium, pack it the fastest / Gamblin' Benjamin benefits, sinnin' in traffic / Spinnin' women in cartwheels, linen fabric on fashion / Winnin' in every decision / Kendrick is the master that mastered it,” he rhymes.

“Hood Politics”

At last, the Kendrick Lamar we know and love from good kid, m.A.A.d city returns as he is most lyrically stable and at home on “Hood Politics” -- mainly in part for its eerily bouncy beat, which instantly gives off West Coast, riding out vibes. Influenced by samples from indie rocker Sufjan Stevens, the beat provides the perfect backdrop for K. Dot to offer a lyrical assassination in the name of political injustices from the White House to the trap house. He's fed up with posers and assures himself, “I been A-1 since day one, you n----s boo boo,” Kendrick rhymes on the hook. He even takes a jab at so-called hip-hop fans and critics. “Critics want to mention that they miss when hip-hop was rappin'/ Motherf---er, if you did, then Killer Mike would be platinum," he slams.

trap house. He's fed up with posers and assures himself, “I been A-1 since day one, you n----s boo boo,” Kendrick rhymes on the hook. He even takes a jab at so-called hip-hop fans and critics. “Critics want to mention that they miss when hip-hop was rappin'/ Motherf---er, if you did, then Killer Mike would be platinum," he slams.