This article analyzes Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize winning album DAMN., exploring its unique narrative structure and the controversy surrounding its recognition.
In 2018, Kendrick Lamar was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for releasing his fourth studio album, DAMN. Before then, all previous musicians had been awarded the honor for their contributions to either the jazz or classical music genres. This marked the first time that someone outside of either genre was given the prestigious honor. While this distinction paints Kendrick Lamar as a distinguished musician, winning the Pulitzer Prize has put the Compton rapper under scrutiny.
At the time, the moment was highly controversial. Music purists questioned why a rap album was deserving of a Pulitzer, while passionate hip-hop heads debated whether DAMN. was worthy of winning a Pulitzer, let alone being the first rap album to win such an award. Before explaining why DAMN. is so deserving of the award and why some may dispute that, it's worth breaking down the contents of first describing the contents of DAMN. Breaking Down Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. What Is Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. About? Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. came two years after his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly. If Good Kid M.A.A.D. City was K. Dot's breakout, Pimp's four Grammy wins - including Best Rap Album - showcased his consistency that would be on display throughout his discography, as well as proving he was here to stay. By late 2016, he was working on his follow-up album, DAMN. It's an album that tells a different story both forward and backward, depending on when and where readers decide to listen. A later-released Collector's Edition, released with the same tracklist in reverse order, would confirm this. “I think like a week after the album came out, realized you can play the album backwards,” Kendrick Lamar told MTV (cited by Consequence). “It plays as a full story and even a better rhythm. It’s one of my favorite rhythms and tempos within the albu
Kendrick Lamar DAMN. Pulitzer Prize Hip Hop Music Criticism
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