7 of Kendrick Lamar's Unforgettable Visual Masterpieces
Photography: YouTube/Kendrick Lamar
HUMBLE
Directors Dave Meyers and the Little Homies used some very striking symbolism for the HUMBLE music video. The song is well-revered for Kendrick's razor-sharp commentary on fame and self-perception. Each scene very bluntly portrays the paradoxes Kendrick explores in his lyrics, such as when he places himself and his label mates into Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. to call out the abundance of selfish and vain people surrounding him in his professional life. Kendrick's acrobatic flow and lyrical depth combined with unorthodox camera cuts and shot compositions draw viewers into a kaleidoscope-like experience. HUMBLE is a challenges everyone to reconsider their current views on success, power, and self-awareness.
Family Ties
Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar
Las Vegas recording artist Baby Keem won his first Grammy award for his song Family Ties, featuring Kendrick Lamar — his older cousin. Kendrick’s entrance dramatically shifts the song's tone from something that's anthem-like, to something more introspective. The imagery plays on themes of royalty and downfall, symbolizing Kendrick’s place a top the music industry and the burdens that come with it
The Heart Part 5
Kdot's The Heart Part 5, went viral on social media at its release. The video, although simplistic, is a visual masterpiece where deepfake technology transforms Kendrick Lamar’s face into those of influential Black figures like Kanye West, Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle and a few others. These seamless transformations symbolize the pain, triumph, and the struggle for survival in all different walks of life in the Black community. Against a minimalist red background, Kendrick creates an emotional weight through his movements and expressions. The Heart Part 5 serves as a visceral reflection of society, as well as, a call for his people to learn from the past.
Swimming Pools
Swimming Pools, explores themes of alcoholism and peer pressure. In this practical effect-heavy video, Kendrick makes his way through various party scenes, escalating in intensity, that symbolize the seductive and destructive nature of drinking culture. The recurring shot of Kendrick free falling into a pool full of liquor effectively illustrates the helplessness a 20-something year old will feel while trying to meet society’s pressure to conform. Director Jerome D used dark, moody lighting and slow-motion effects enhance the sense of disorientation and emphasize the internal conflict Kendrick speaks on.
LOYALTY
LOYALTY, featuring Rihanna, plays like a cinematic thriller that explores the complexities of trust and fidelity in relationships. Directors Dave Meyers and The Little Homies (a directing duo comprised of Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free) use surreal imagery, like Kendrick dangling Rihanna over the edge of a building, to embody the tension and fragility that often accompanies loyalty. Many of the shots, like the car crash scene, symbolize the unwavering commitment required from two people to be loyal to each other.
Alright
The video forAlright heavily criticizes the United States' systemic oppression, specifically in Compton and the larger Los Angeles area. Surreal imagery like Kendrick flying above the streets of Los Angeles and police officers carrying his car like him and his friends are riding in a chariot, the video condemns police violence and a makes powerful statement about Black perseverance. Director Colin Tilley's blend of symbolism and stark realism alongside Kendrick Lamar’s GRAMMY-award winning songwriting show viewers that even in the face of adversity, collective unity and hope endure.
The tense interrogation room setting in DNA features Don Cheadle as an authority figure interrogating Kendrick Lamar. The start of the video and song is a metaphor for the damaging effect negative stereotypes can have on Black Americans. Kendrick performs against shifting backdrops of the Compton, California streets in the second half of the video. Ultimately, DNA is a raw declaration of pride, power, and defiance.