What is sure to be a performance that we will all remember forever, Kendrick Lamar used the stage at the Grammy's to make a statement about the black experience in modern day America. I loved every minute of the performance. I always get excited when I see black people using their platform to make a statement. Its one thing to listen to the words that he is spitting, but its a whole other thing when powerful visuals are on display simultaneously. It drove home the message!
Kendrick shuffled on stage chained up in a prison jumpsuit with 4 of his dancers trailing him. When he got to the mic to perform "Blacker The Berry"the lyrics were really driven home because his band members locked up in jail cells also wearing prison attire. Then he gets free of the chains and stumbles onto another set where he performs "Alright" in front of a large bonfire with dancers dressed in African dance attire. Kendrick ended the performance with a song that I've never heard. The message was again driven home by the quick cuts and lighting effects while he delivered powerful lyrics. He ended the performance with a large graphic of Africa with the word Compton inside it.
Though he didn't win album of the year, the impact of his performance was felt by all who witnessed it. Kendrick sent a message to the world that continuously needs to be heard by all. I mean we all knew that they were going to give AOY to Taylor Swift. IF he had taken home the award he would have only been the third hip hop album to win the coveted award. Kendrick did take home seven awards, but most importantly, he stood up for black culture and thats more important then some award in my opinion.
