Blog: BrooklynVegan

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin Kendrick Lamar/Alabama Shakes [Kendrick] Lamar hails from gangsta rap central: Compton, Calif. But instead of directing his anger at the police, women or outsiders, he criticizes himself and his environment, and he projects far more ambition than victimization. One song, "She Needs Me," praised a career woman-a rare creature in hip-hop. Mr. Lamar uses hip-hop's love of raunch and brand names (especially fashion labels and upscale alcohol) as teaching tools. [...]