DAMN: We Decide if Kendrick Dies | Video Essay

[@KidGamer537]

Amazing video and amazing theory. I have a similar theory but it doesn't have to do with us choosing if he lives or die; but i can clearly see what you're trying to say and it makes perfect sense. If you listen to the album with your theory in mind, you can easily see it. Kendrick is asking us to not judge him for what he has done in his past, he just doesn't want you to judge him. At the same time he also asks us if we know who's talking to us, Kendrick is explaining how he's done all of these good things for community. He asks these questions and answers them for us. He's telling us that we should save him because he feels like nobody else has tried to save him. I really do love this theory. It makes complete sense in every way.

[@SamPersall]

ethan_rodman thank you! I like your interpretation of the album if you listen to section.80, gkmc, and pimp you can see a long list of Kendrick asking the audience to not judge him and even asking forgiveness for his actions. (Another theory I have is pimp is Kendrick coming to terms with killing someone in his past)

[@KidGamer537]

How does your theory for Tpab go?

[@SamPersall]

ethan_rodman The theory is that Kendrick wasn't as riotous as his fictional self on gkmc and that he actually revenged the death of "Dave". A crucial line off the album is "if I told you I killed a ni--a at 16 would you believe me?" from maad city. So you have to look at the album as he's trying to right his wrongs and choose to not kill dave's killer but instead come back and teach people to be that good kid in the maad city. However his trip to Africa that inspired tpab caused him to truly value a life, specifically the life of another black man. We see this all throughout the album most notably on "the blacker the berry" where he calls himself "the biggest hypocrite of 2015" and ends the song rapping "so why did I weep when Trayvon martin was in the streets when gang-banging made me kill a ni--a blacker than me? Hypocrite". If you take this literal it's pretty blatant. Another thing present on this album is Kendrick's depression most notably on the song "u" and "I". On "u" Kendrick tells himself "loving you is complicated" and on "I" he says "I've been dealing with depression ever since an adolescent". I believe his depression stems from killing "dave's" killer and that Kendrick repressed this but it ultimately resurfaced on his trip to Africa. When promoting tpab Kendrick seemed very depressed, unlike someone promoting the highest rated rap album of all time. He was also asked in a MTV interview on the meaning of "the blacker the berry" in which Kendrick says he made that song for himself, given the ending this makes sense. He has also stated on untitled 02 "I did a lot of dumb shit in my past lord forgive hoping I don't relapse". However I believe Kendrick has ultimately come to terms with what he has done and forgiven himself that's why he has been happy while promoting DAMN. It's just a theory and I'm sure I left a lot out but that's the gist.

[@KidGamer537]

Sam Persall That actually makes a lot of sense. I always thought he said, "If I told I killed a n---a at 16, would you be live me" just to say what if he did something like that. It's a very in depth theory and I can see the full picture of it throughout Tpab. My brain is completely blown right now. I never thought of these lines in this way and how they possibly connect. That's truly amazing.

[@dariuscedillo634]

That and Him and ab soul sacrificed alori joh back in 2012 two weeks prior of capital steez from pro era also being sacrificed both fell off a building alori fell (pushed) from radio tower and capital was from a hotel shortly after Kendrick Lamar blew up and so did Joey badass

[@notaninstrument7707]

UH LAMAR STATED HIS VIEWS UH LAMAR STATED HIS VIEWS UH LAMAR STATED HIS VIEWS

[@ProdBlknwight]

Ugh, I don’t like it

[@hardhat9003]

i got i got i got

[@levuko.]

​@@hardhat9003LOYALTY. got royalty inside my DNA.

[@TVisinity]

Loyalty got royalty inside my DNA

[@X-zag]

@@TVisinity Quarter piece, got war, and peace inside my DNA

[@Alief.Prophet]

For me, the wicked or weakness is a question of the reason he feels and other people feel these things. He addressed weaknesses in our mind in the last 2 albums but it seems we can't get over our destructive urge, and neither can he. So he questions if we're just wicked, if we just want destruction. "SEX, MONEY, MURDER, OUR DNA" So he feels if this is true, the world is gonna end. God is just gonna end it all, a sentiment he expresses multiple times "Fuck the world, the world is ending. I'm done pretending" "EARTH IS NO MORE WON'T YOU BURN THIS MOTHERFUCKER" "I CAN FEEL IT, THE PHOENIX SURE TO WATCH US" (Phoenix often represents a rebirth or restart) This album is a prophecy of our world's destruction. Since our DNA (Sex, Money, Murder) won't let us evolve in the light of God, we're damned creatures Prone to destruction Cursed Wicked This is Kendrick's darkest album yet. It seems like him saying he's given up Yet if he doesn't do anything, he still feels the same way He still dies whether on the inside or out This is the connection between Blood and Duckworth. He tries to help the old lady, find what she lost, but she kills him. It's Mortal Man all over again. We crucify our heroes time after time. Kendrick was crucified in the fox news interview that he plays after his death in DAMN. However in Duckworth, he alludes to a life without his father A time where he didn't have the power he has now to help, and he still died Whether helps or not, he still dies in the end "Damned if I do, if I don't" This album is incredible

[@SamPersall]

Alief Prophet this is a great take on the album

[@101iswhatsup]

Much appreciated approach. Most "felt" artists are slick philosophers. You got a lot from the body of work provided.. thanks! As a fellow creative, one hurdle through the process is, "is it worth the will to attempt to translate?" Peace.

[@thulaninkambule8669]

WOW! I LOVE this perspective it makes soo much sense! He saw weakness in the blind lady and he discovered she actually had wickedness*. I never thought of it as this dark 🤯

[@tonypeppermint5329]

Interesting.

[@imcyta3900]

Dude if this theory is correct it falls within TPAB because in that album he stresses how much we as fans have an impact

[@deletingyoutubetoday9563]

Don't you notice all his albums go in order and he continues on story lines from previous albums

[@sledgehammr6615]

“Are we gonna live or die”. I interpreted the album as him talking to a younger audience. Teenagers. He was once in our shoes, and he chose how we wanted to live or die. He’s asking us if we are going to live up to the word of god and be righteous, or die, resulting in the destruction of our planet and the human race. It is harder to be good than it is to be bad. He’s asking us if we are willing to take on the challenge of living a morally virtuous life or if we are going to succumb to the pressure and go down a dark path. “Are we gonna live or die”. The future of the human race depends on us, and our willingness to do good. To help the old lady. To be willing to face the risks, seeking to do what is right. So many traits are in our DNA, but we have a choice to go against the evils of our DNA. If humans are naturally wicked, then we have to do everything we can to not be wicked. If wickedness is in our DNA, then being wicked is easy and seeking virtue and righteousness is 10x harder. Even though it isn’t always explicit in parts, it is a highly religious album. You don’t have to be a Christian. You don’t have to be Jewish. You don’t have to be Muslim. But if you want to save the human race from wickedness, if you want to protect our children, you have to seek out a way to be virtuous, righteous, and good. And religion is a great tool to simply the complexities of what it means to be righteous and good in a way that is understandable for society. Religion is a tool, and how we use this tool will answer the question: “Are we gonna live… or die?”. You decide.

[@insidemymindinc]

Incredible work, great pacing. You gotta do more brotha!

[@SamPersall]

Thanks man!

[@purpcone41lol53]

I got something basically putting it in reverse shows what would have happened to Kendrick if topdawg killed ducky, and "dying in a gunfight" might not sound too accurate, but maybe the blind woman represents the justice system, and he died due to police brutality, hence ending it on that fox news segment, to show the irony of the situation (because TPAB was all about the subject)

[@djtor5139]

U are right the justice system turning a blind eye and many other phrases that's why DNA would be next or before blood never thought of it like that

[@deletingyoutubetoday9563]

Genuis.

[@GreaseBiratella]

Great point of view. It fits into my thoughts on it as well. He is a reflection of us all. The mirror effect. 👌🏽

[@jarancrane2462]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that can't pin down a story in DAMN like i can with the other albums. It made me not want to listen to it as often (though i do still quite enjoy it)

[@isaacplourde3463]

It could also be said that the woman who kills him is blind or in able to see his reasons behind his actions and lyrics in the verse thats another reason why we get the ending where Geraldo just doesn't understand what he saying (he can't see his purpose) and he shoots him down trying to make him "die" / dissappear

[@urbanvision9964]

This video deserves more views, great job homie

[@SamPersall]

Urban Vision thank you!

[@ilovekendrickilovekendrick2962]

No wonder he ranked DAMN. his fav album, thanks for this video man. Now i can safely say that DAMN. is my fave kdot album

[@meghansmith]

this was so good sampersall omfg your speaking performance was great i loved it!!!! amazing analysis

[@SamPersall]

thanks meghan! couldn't have done it without your pointer

[@mfj_art]

interesting point of view dude, truly a nice video!

[@JD-ly7yr]

i dont know whether its you or its Kendrick but at 3:35 my jaw literally dropped. As a producer whos been making and listening to music for a while,Kendrick always ceases to amaze me with every album he makes.As for you,your journalism and the way you present ideas has not only gained you a new subscriber,but a new follower.God bless and keep doing what you do.

[@SamPersall]

Thank you so much!! Welcome to the channel!

[@doherty7299]

Bro this is amazing! you know your stuff and are extremely knowledgeable on the subject, context, layout and kendrick as not just a rapper but an artist. i can tell you put loads of effort into what you do regarding research but in that same regard i know you have that genuine love for what you do! i appreciate what you're doing spreading the love and knowledge of Hip-Hop, you have a natural talent of dissecting albums, films & thoughts etc. and it's beautiful! keep doing what you're doing! all praise goes to you homie! you have gained yourself a like+sub! keep spreading love :)

[@SamPersall]

Thanks man!! That mean a ton!

[@26glizzy13]

I love this man I dive deep in Kendrick’s art and the art of story telling never goes to from out of reach of my mind of wonder this man is very talent much respect for the video

[@andreheizer]

Love this. Kendrick is such an incredible artist, his words run deeeeep.

[@trentonweis5907]

Kendrick Lamar’s dark side of the moon

[@Neca_3]

You bodied that!

[@vsgaming5933]

Why was this recommended only now

[@Snomadu]

How is this video not super popular with millions of views!? Either way, it should be. Great explanation!

[@deletingyoutubetoday9563]

Lyrical genuis. One of my favorite artist❤

[@ProdBlknwight]

So I was talking a walk the other day

[@yfaudio.bsky.social]

Judging from this piece.. A JID deep dive would be much appreciated 🙏🙏❤❤

[@ayandakakana2367]

Amazing thesis.......

[@geeyermo6374]

The start of the heart partt 5 is the same voice as I’m BLOOD

[@yt-ll5mu]

wow. very well done analysis of the project. you said it was a video essay? was it a school project?

[@SamPersall]

20yt03 nope just felt like analyzing it!

[@ASWPhillyGhost]

this video was well done✍🏾be right back.. about to decide if kendrick should die or not😭

[@MonSune9551]

I wonder if Dissect watched this and expanded on it through their podcast on this Album! 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾 nice job!

[@SamPersall]

tevin_pa9551 I’ll have to check that out!!

[@MikeJohnson-lt1il]

@@SamPersall I highly recommend you to check out dissect podcast

[@danaholic]

Sam please come back to YT

[@hunter6271]

THOU SHALL LIVE

[@LovePierre]

Interesting Concept

[@AntonQvarfordt]

If he is "wicked or weak" isn't analogous to "live or die".. Those are both negative traits? My feeling is that it's more of a sliding doors scenario... Where if he had taken one path he'd be likely to be dead... And if he takes the other path, maybe the "righteous" path of respect and humbleness.. The story could be completely different. I guess the point might be how easy it could have been to go down the wrong path... And you have to remind yourself that you can be strong, and do things as they ought to be done... That strength being best illustrated by the fact that you're still here.. Stay strong, ya'll.. That's what it's about :P

[@davejolade1523]

Mehn you are a genius

[@fidel4028]

Did he just say GKMC is Kendrick's debut album?

[@Olonade_Ayo]

Wickedness or Weakness... I do see it this way, PRIDE. (Wickedness or sin) or HUMBLE. (Weakness) meaning People exhibit PRIDE. to be feared among others so they turn out wicked but they are actually weak inside. HUMBLEness. on the contrary looks like your weak and tolerant but that's where the true strength of self lies. Kendrick did well to contrast these two by making PRIDE. (a wicked act) sound weak while HUMBLE. (a weak act) sound wicked (strength).

[@captaincrunch3124]

Tabby would agree

[@inought3378]

Brilliant video

[@huey6248]

This is great

[@shortfilms5165]

only 6 dislikes? i can see why :) keep up the great work!

[@Posterchildtypeshi]

Jesus loves you

[@adityaishxn]

Wow

[@imperialstats]

Everybody making up theories with no confirmation from the artist its hilarious alot of them prolly not even what he intended but with ppl keep making it more deep why would he even tell them 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣

[@god47398]

every one of kendricks albums have nominated for album of the year by a broken instution, every one of not deserving even a nomination and every one of them overrated

[@deletingyoutubetoday9563]

😐

[@shayptr]

wtf

[@Seaks.Worldwide]

When you die. All the things you did. Won’t matter when your dead. Maybe to other people. But you get what I’m trying to say 😂