Kendrick Lamar is one of the most brilliant artists of our time. His music isn’t just about beats and catchy hooks; it’s poetry, storytelling, history, and truth wrapped in rhythm. He speaks directly to the Black experience in America, and his words carry the weight of generations. This is why he’s more than just a rapper—he’s a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, recognized for the depth and complexity of his work. And yet, despite his undeniable impact, a lot of people—especially older white people—lost their minds over his Super Bowl performance. But was it about not liking rap music? Or was it something deeper?
The Discomfort of Exclusion
For many, music is entertainment, a way to enjoy sound without much thought. But Kendrick Lamar doesn’t create music for passive listening. His words challenge, expose and push people to reflect. When he performed at the Super Bowl, he brought his message to one of the biggest stages in the world—a stage historically dominated by mainstream, white-friendly entertainment. And for some, that was the problem.
The backlash he received wasn’t just about a distaste for rap. It was about the discomfort of watching something that wasn’t designed with them in mind. White audiences are used to music that caters to them, even when it borrows from Black culture. They are accustomed to Black artists who either cross over or package their artistry in a way that feels digestible for mainstream audiences. Kendrick has never done that.
A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Artist Who Doesn’t Cater
Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018, making him the first rapper to receive such an honor. The Pulitzer committee called the album a "virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life." This recognition solidified what many of us already knew—Kendrick isn’t just making rap music; he’s making history.
But mainstream America isn’t used to hip-hop being treated with that level of respect. They can accept rap as entertainment, as party music, or as a vehicle for commercial success. But they struggle to accept rap as high art, as a form of intellectual and cultural expression that belongs in the same conversations as classical compositions and literary masterpieces.
The Problem With Not Understanding Black Art
Kendrick’s performance at the Super Bowl wasn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But what’s interesting is how upset people got because they felt left out of the conversation. Instead of acknowledging that maybe this wasn’t their moment, that maybe this performance wasn’t crafted for their consumption, they reacted with outrage. This is a pattern we’ve seen before—when Black artists create unapologetically for Black audiences, mainstream America often doesn’t know how to react.
People who understand and respect hip-hop culture saw the beauty and power in Kendrick’s performance. They recognized the historical and social weight of his words. But those who don’t engage with Black history, who don’t understand the symbolism, who don’t see the significance—what do they see? Noise? Rebellion? Discomfort? And if so, maybe the real question isn’t why Kendrick’s performance upset them, but why they feel entitled to art that centers them in the first place.
Kendrick’s Legacy Speaks for Itself
Kendrick Lamar will continue to be one of the most important voices of our time, whether mainstream America fully embraces him or not. His music was never meant for everyone, and that’s what makes it so powerful. He doesn’t cater, he doesn’t dilute, and he doesn’t apologize for creating music that speaks truth to power. His Super Bowl performance wasn’t just a moment—it was a statement.
For those who get it, no explanation is needed. For those who don’t, no explanation will ever be enough.
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