Song Choices

Listening to people’s song choices in class was very interesting to me. Personally, there were some songs mentioned that I knew prior, and really enjoyed hearing about. The Birds and the Bees by ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar is a personal favorite song of mine. I liked to hear another personal analysis of the song and compare it to mine. In the first verse, ScHoolboy Q talks about the risks of drug dealing, and why it is taken on in urban communities. I also like how Kendrick Lamar comes in like the good angel on Q’s shoulder and encourages him to do better. Something I believe is unique to my interpretation is the phrase “birds and the bees” that Q repeats throughout the song. A logical explanation for this phrase is that a common teaching for young children is the birds and the bees, as drugs and violence and other things of that sort are common teachings in urban neighborhoods. I’ve known this song for many years, and it has maintained a spot in my heart as a favorite. I also loved to hear people’s interpretations on Kendrick Lamar songs. Also, for many years Kendrick has been one of my favorite artists. “Alright” is commonly known as an anthem in the current fight for equality. “The Blacker the Berry” is also a less known song that is mainly about social justice. Kendrick Lamar is just an amazing artist as a whole and is definitely a positive role model. He is a black male hailing from Compton, California, and he even comes from Piru gang affiliations. I love the fact that he comes from all of this and shatters all stereotypes by being a smart man who does not involve himself in gang activities. It shows people that not all black people, especially urban minorities are not uneducated, and we are not all criminals. For a young minority, I really appreciate Kendricks influence, and overall, I love his music! Overall, I really enjoyed hearing my peer's song choices and what they thought they meant. I agreed basically with what everything I heard.