tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post2701862555207376376..comments2024-02-23T00:44:23.759-08:00Comments on The Composer's Corner: Rap Music Analysis #14 - Kendrick Lamar, "Good Kid, m.a.a.d. City"Martin Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-33595572651323952712016-11-30T08:38:07.186-08:002016-11-30T08:38:07.186-08:00>What's cool to think about is the fact tha...>What's cool to think about is the fact that many if not basically all rappers (including Kendrick) probably don't have any music training (theory, rhythm, harmony etc.) yet still pull off crazy songs like this and many others<br /><br />Exactly! I actually think rap as a genre might be the best proof out there that ALL humans are innately musical creatures. Like the adage goes: "If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing." Since you seem to like Kendrick so much, just hit me up at mepc36@gmail.com and I'll hook you up with the chapter on him from my forthcoming book, and, also, with whatever you else you want from me haha<br /><br />Thanks man!<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />MartinMartin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-59209695862696108092016-11-27T13:56:26.818-08:002016-11-27T13:56:26.818-08:00Really intriguing stuff bro! Keep up the good work...Really intriguing stuff bro! Keep up the good work, I find it interesting to look at rap from a purely music standpoint. What's cool to think about is the fact that many if not basically all rappers (including Kendrick) probably don't have any music training (theory, rhythm, harmony etc.) yet still pull off crazy songs like this and many others, thanks again and keep up the great work! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13604156019993663947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-6689779359089820892016-09-27T06:53:20.337-07:002016-09-27T06:53:20.337-07:00Is that a good thing or bad thing man? haha...if i...Is that a good thing or bad thing man? haha...if it's good, email me at mepc36@gmail and I'll hook you up!Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-7599244790361552682016-09-26T01:38:58.366-07:002016-09-26T01:38:58.366-07:00!!!!!!WilliamKinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11551278829221366384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-36749781795690618842016-05-22T09:47:11.284-07:002016-05-22T09:47:11.284-07:00Yeah man! AHHHH I would love to go that so bad, it...Yeah man! AHHHH I would love to go that so bad, it's at Hyde Park?!??! That's awesome! Take pics and send em :P haha<br /><br />Anyway, if you hit me up at mepc36@gmail, I'll hook you up with EVERYTHING I've got on Kendrick...if you think you can handle it, haha<br /><br />Peace man!<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />MartinMartin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-20645981656722069082016-05-20T09:41:11.441-07:002016-05-20T09:41:11.441-07:00Kendrick, keep on hustling and making those fine b...Kendrick, keep on hustling and making those fine beats.<br />No Doubt about it, Kendrick Lamar is the best MC in the game. Keep doing your thing homie !I will be at his concert here kendricklamar.haltelavaltrie.com<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14179660840357562415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-56727031551554407592016-05-19T08:39:24.398-07:002016-05-19T08:39:24.398-07:00He means it's not a triplet, but rather the 8t...He means it's not a triplet, but rather the 8th note is split into two 32nd notes (AND I) and a 16th note (PRAY).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-59052134335243476432016-01-03T06:41:30.380-08:002016-01-03T06:41:30.380-08:00Thanks for the compliments Shubham! They really me...Thanks for the compliments Shubham! They really mean a lot to me, and give me a lot of motivation to keep doing what I'm doing. <br /><br />>Your blog helped me appreciate the complexities of music I would never have been able to do on my own. <br /><br />This is music to my ears! And yes, pun intended! haha, because that's exactly what I set out to do :)<br /><br />>Have you ever thought about doing a podcast?<br /><br />Honestly, I am working on putting an episode together right now, just because you asked for it. Do you mind emailing me at mepc36@gmail.com with your own email address, so I can forward it to you when you're done? Your comment gave me a lot of inspiration, and for some reason, although I had been trying to think of a good podcast structure and form to come up with for a long time, it only came to me after you commented. If you hit me up there, that'd be the best way to make sure you see it. Thanks again Shubham! Peace!<br /><br />-MartinMartin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-87840383520782875702015-12-22T16:51:52.341-08:002015-12-22T16:51:52.341-08:00Hey man!
Great article. The best musical analysis...Hey man! <br />Great article. The best musical analysis of rap I've read till date. I'd been looking for stuff like this for a long time. Not just for rap but music in general. See, I'm what you'd call a musically illiterate guy but I do like music. Your blog helped me appreciate the complexities of music I would never have been able to do on my own. Have you ever thought about doing a podcast? Stuff like this in my opinion is much better presented in podcasts. Of course it would be impossible to show sheet music in a podcast. Just a thought. Appreciate what you do though!<br />~ShubhamAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12580075131290828144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-46928989337072802642015-07-20T22:59:46.333-07:002015-07-20T22:59:46.333-07:00This is a great analysis and I think recognizing t...This is a great analysis and I think recognizing the complex rhythm here is a great start (or it was for me just now so thanks for helping me mix your understanding with mine).<br />"'If I told you I killed a nigga at 16…would you believe me?...or see me to be…innocent Kendrick…you seen in the streets…with a basketball', where the periods represent rather noticeable pauses. How did he even come up with these rhythms?"<br />This rhythm is perfect for the story Kendrick is telling and the idea he is trying to convey. Kendrick condenses these syllables then pauses to create a fast/slow PUSH/PULL effect which is EXACTLY what the MEANING of the lyrics are doing. Kendrick is getting his listeners to question him as an intelligent artist and potentially a murderer or bad person (what the city could've made him) and bouncing back and forth between these two positions/viewpoints. The rhythm helps sonically push that idea even further and this section of the verse wouldn't be as powerful as it was had the rhythm not been there. And THAT, to me, is why Kendrick is incredible at what he does. Because he can use lyrics that someone can hear/read and comprehend and then push that idea and comprehension through music/vocal effects/rhythm(probably the most elusive) in a way the listener processes/understands/internalizes but may not be able to point out as easily.<br />-JimmyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-19707467576881170622015-02-19T09:55:57.585-08:002015-02-19T09:55:57.585-08:00Sure man! I can help you on Mick Jenkins, just ema...Sure man! I can help you on Mick Jenkins, just email me at mepc36@gmail.com with a specific song or songs you want me to take a look at and I'll get back to you.<br /><br />Thanks for the compliment man! Really, it means a lot.Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-33079849904947433932015-02-19T09:32:54.168-08:002015-02-19T09:32:54.168-08:00Love these articles man! They definitely give me a...Love these articles man! They definitely give me a greater appreciation with these artists and their work. I was always impressed with his flow on that third verse but I never really realized how complex it was. Great read!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453736456591907797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-64625518227266667212014-10-14T01:38:29.105-07:002014-10-14T01:38:29.105-07:00i.e. "and I pray" would be counted "...i.e. "and I pray" would be counted "1 e &", two 32nds and a 16th. What does that mean?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-10408684351155575732014-04-22T00:28:59.981-07:002014-04-22T00:28:59.981-07:00Come on dude, there's double-time rapping in t...Come on dude, there's double-time rapping in the US too. Like all over the place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-14035209207296004772014-03-24T08:09:01.086-07:002014-03-24T08:09:01.086-07:00Thanks dude! Thanks a lot for the compliment!Thanks dude! Thanks a lot for the compliment!Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-42905752623972409462014-03-22T23:28:59.381-07:002014-03-22T23:28:59.381-07:00Good stuff man!Good stuff man!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-69690517980426233072014-03-14T14:12:58.155-07:002014-03-14T14:12:58.155-07:00Hey man, sorry to get back to you like a year late...Hey man, sorry to get back to you like a year later, but I just saw this. Thanks for your compliments, they mean a lot.<br /><br />Yes, I agree with the assessment of Kendrick's first album. Whether he becomes a GOAT will really rely on his work over a number of albums though. For instance, that's why he isn't on my Top 10 list yet; same goes for Earl Sweatshirt, even with "Earl" and then "Doris." The Top 10 - Jean Grae, Nas, Eminem, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, 2pac, Notorious B.I.G., Pharoahe Monch, Andre 3000, and Mos Def - are my top 10 because they've all done amazing over multiple albums.<br /><br />Thanks again for the comment.Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-24505038916939467722014-03-14T14:10:44.253-07:002014-03-14T14:10:44.253-07:00Hey man, thanks for writing, and thanks for the co...Hey man, thanks for writing, and thanks for the compliments. It means a lot.<br /><br />As for your request, it's actually something I've done. I'm not sure if you realize, but what you're asking for - the flow played on another instrument - is exactly what the videos I make are. You can find 'em all over my youtube account, but here is one of my favorites:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRbhQzVtT84<br /><br />Thanks man!Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-23439285686608601792014-03-12T21:04:21.529-07:002014-03-12T21:04:21.529-07:00Hey i have been reading this blog for a while man ...Hey i have been reading this blog for a while man and just want to say that your doin good work. I know that certain rappers are more complex then others but its hard to be able to articulate why, this blog helps with that.<br /><br /> I do have a request though if possible. I see that you write out the music for these songs and thats really helpful but could you play the song as you wrote it on another instrument, like a piano or something and put that up (I understand the way you wrote it would all be in the same key). I think it would help to hear the flow separated from the lyrics<br /><br /><br />thats just my 2centsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-65421215320790464062013-10-24T05:03:28.540-07:002013-10-24T05:03:28.540-07:00I know, right? Kendrick really is a genius! Thanks...I know, right? Kendrick really is a genius! Thanks for reading, and thanks for the compliments. I'm way backed up on songs I need to analyze, but if I ever get around to Cartoons & Cereal, I'll let you know for sure.<br /><br />Thanks man!Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-50140237707703671512013-10-24T05:02:49.749-07:002013-10-24T05:02:49.749-07:00hahaha, good point! Maybe next time I will change ...hahaha, good point! Maybe next time I will change it. Sorry, I just saw this comment, thanks for reading it!Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-66203905308958139322013-10-23T06:14:25.194-07:002013-10-23T06:14:25.194-07:00Goddamn it was so genius 5 16th and 6 16th (maybe ...Goddamn it was so genius 5 16th and 6 16th (maybe one day it will reach at 8 8th).<br />Thank you for this explanation. I knew that it was one of the G.O.A.T. for me. Now I can almost explain it.<br />Could you possibly make a sheet for "cartoon & cereal" that is in my opinion a great song?<br /><br />Thank you again for all these great analysis. Keep it up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-64967843932907494812013-05-05T07:58:43.933-07:002013-05-05T07:58:43.933-07:00Kudos! By far the best analysis I've seen of r...Kudos! By far the best analysis I've seen of rap in a long time if not of all time. The amount of time and effort you put into this work is staggering. <br /><br />Kendrick though, even if he has only releases one album I think it's an instant classic and should be considered the best rap album for years to come unless he manages to top himself. M.a.a.d City is my favorite song on the album and I'm glad that you are equally impressed, the first couple of times I listened to it, the third verse really blew me away with its rhythmic complexity. I had to listen to it like three more times before I could actually that he could rap like that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00230440244441993485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-39273492141007577662013-02-21T03:39:21.962-08:002013-02-21T03:39:21.962-08:00Hey man, thanks a lot for the compliments. It real...Hey man, thanks a lot for the compliments. It really means a lot. I'm trying to write a book and people like you telling me that they're good makes me want to do it.<br /><br />I disagree with your corrections of my transcriptions though. It took me days to go through them, and I was able to double check them the whole time because I played them back in Sibelius. He really is that complex, and because the note values are so small (sextuplets) it only seems like they fall on the beat.<br /><br />Thanks again though!Martin Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01282495304736535211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5143587653947428538.post-19233003432683833852013-02-20T18:17:08.250-08:002013-02-20T18:17:08.250-08:00Great work with the analyses. I would mention that...Great work with the analyses. I would mention that the analysis of his 3rd verse in "m.A.A.d. City" is a little off. Many of the phrases have been transcribed ahead of where they should be.<br /><br />E.g. words such as "streets", "safe", "dreams", and "chopper" actually land on the first beat (one can tell by lining them up with the bass and guitar in the background). This makes the rhythmic figures somewhat simpler than those than have been notated.<br /><br />All things considered, however, this dawg is still by far one of the most rhythmically complex rappers out there. And you're analyses are incredibly insightful and well-made. Just some musical issues I thought I'd mention.Camnoreply@blogger.com