I am not a football fan but there is one team I am rooting for big time at the Super Bowl this year: team Kendrick and Sza. Yes, you got that right, I am going to watch the game for the halftime show. I did the same thing on Christmas Day with Beyonce and that did not disappoint.
As a kid who grew up in the 90’s, I have always listened to rap. My taste in music, though, tends to be eclectic so rap has never become my mainstay. Though I am late to the party on this one, I am a fan of Kendrick Lamar. I’m planning to see him on tour later this year and I am really excited to see what he does in the Super Bowl.
Kendrick Lamar Is an Insightful Musician
As I have written before, Kendrick Lamar does more with his music than offer beats and bops. He shares his struggles, his thoughts, and his critiques. He even faces issues, like mental health, that many other musicians wouldn’t touch.
Kendrick is riding high after his musical battle with Drake, his stint atop the charts over the summer and his recent sweep at the Grammy awards for “Not Like Us.” He also has a new album, released in December: GNX. (paid link) I thought the album was insightful since it appeared to be a reflection and an effort to reset after the diss track battle with Drake.
Kendrick Lamar’s Latest Album Offers Lessons about Anger
As a lawyer who sometimes gets into squabbles with others in my profession, I couldn’t get help but notice what Kendrick had to say on GNX with respect to anger. Though this latest album appeared intent on avoiding mentioning Drake by name, it clearly referenced the battle. More significantly, though, I thought it illustrated a few great strategies for moving on from anger. These include:
- identifying what the anger is protecting;
- remembering who you are;
- recalling your place in community; and
- letting go and having fun.
I was lucky to get a chance to write about this for my blogger friends at the Tattooed Buddha. You can check out the full article here.
Expect Kendrick Lamar to Put on a Great Show
Since fun and connection is an important lesson from Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, I hope you enjoy it. Concerts and sports are great opportunities for relaxing and connecting with community. If you look a bit deeper, though, sometimes performers offer insights and lessons that do more than provide a soundtrack for a party. I’m watchin tomorrow in eager anticipation because Kendrick Lamar is one of those artists.
Want to learn more about mindfulness and compassion? Check out my new book, How to Be a Badass Lawyer, for a simple guide to creating a meditation practice of your own in 30 days. And to share mindfulness with your little one, check out my new children’s book, Mommy Needs a Minute.
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