Redefining Location: How Kendrick Lamar Expands Locality in Hip Hop Through DAMN
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Authors
Miller, Hope
Issue Date
2022
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Kendrick Lamar has been a household name since 2012, when he released his critically
acclaimed album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city. Lamar, born in Compton California, has released
several classic hip hop albums since his rise to fame. This paper evaluates the impact of his most
recent solo album, DAMN, on locality and the process of localization in the hip hop community.
I argue that Lamar’s album pushes the barriers of traditional understandings of the
process of localization and the tools used to achieve it. Lamar expands the concept of locality in
hip hop beyond geographical populations, broadening it to include a community influenced by
religion, race, education level, and musical style in addition to communities based on a
geographical location. I will explore the influence of DAMN on the expansion of locality in
regards to hip hop.
First, I examine Kendrick Lamar’s past as an individual and an artist, his hometown of
Compton, California and its past significant hip hop artists and adopted style. Then, by
juxtaposing Lamar’s style to that of established Compton style, I will examine the unique
features of Lamar’s music plus his incorporation of traditional Compton style that come together
to expand locality in his music beyond Compton itself. I will measure Lamar’s influence on the
expansion of the local community by examining the diverse collection of awards, accolades, and
recognition received by the album, with attention to album sales and chart placement.
Finally, I discuss the potential future influence DAMN could have on expectations
regarding the use of locality and the process of localization in hip hop, specifically Compton hip
hop.
Description
51 p.
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License
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