Wesley’s Theory – Flying Lotus, Flippa, Sounwave, Thundercat In the absence of all pride, Lamar draws us in closer to the nostalgia and introspection of the beat. There is something deeply reverent about this beat as a track that never makes itself known too loudly. The beat is resigned, a kind of meditation after the memories of violence and horror in preceding tracks. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst – Like, Skhye Hutch, Sounwave We may never know the trauma of growing up next to bullets and gangs, but Lamar gives us a glimpse through the two beats of this track. The isolated keyboard, the gunshot effects, and both ascending and descending rolling sound effects sends chills down your spine. If the first half wasn’t already enough, the second half is even more haunting. It’s impossible to talk about Kendrick Lamar without talking about “m.A.A.d city.” The harrowing beat is as relentless and unforgiving as the tale of street life Lamar recounts in his bars.
Like the wind rushing through your ears, the instrumentals tread suspensefully, like an innocent child before witnessing what he can never unsee. The beat of “good kid” is rueful– a deceptive calm before the storm.
The other titular track aside from the immensely popular and haunting “m.A.A.d city.” But I’ve always liked “good kid” as much. Janet Jackson’s sampled voice never ceases to amaze, and the claps in the background complement the lyrics well. This beat perfectly paints the picture of a young Kendrick searching for a girl to return his feelings. Is there any better way to boast about yourself? The thundering bells and claps are as satisfying for the listener as it is for 16-year-old Kendrick to talk about his power, his skills, and his ladies.Ī romantic song doesn’t have to be sappy or sentimental to convey genuine curiosity and attraction. It creates the perfect mood for someone on top of the game looking down at the rest of the crowd. Honestly, those entire albums could be on this list, so hold on tight as I go through more tracks…Ĭlean, refreshing, classy. Cole collaboration? I hope they do more projects together. Cole could produce so well? Perhaps a better question is: who doesn’t like a Kendrick/J. There is something nostalgic about this beat, even fron his first album, that gives him a deeply introspective edge that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Coupled with Kendrick’s nonstop delivery, the DGAF attitude of the beat establishes him as one of the best in the game. This beat has a surreal quality to it that removes your soul from your body and takes you on a psychedelic trip– intoxicating and brilliant. I’ve selected the best beats and their producers from his five full-length projects: Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp A Butterfly, untitled unmastered., and DAMN. His choice of beats/instrumentals elevate his words to another level, and his music is as sonically pleasing and challenging as his verses are poetically and politically brilliant and razor-sharp. Kendrick isn’t just great for his lyricism.
( Next in the series “Best Beats Over the Years” – J.Cole.)