Thoughts on Kendrick's The Blacker the Berry Track? | @AskDEHH w/ Sophie

In this new Ask DEHH episode we were asked for our thoughts on the new Kendrick Lamar track titled "The Blacker the Berry". Be sure to let us know your take in the comment section.
The Ask Dead End Hip Hop Show is hosted and moderated by Sophie aka @SaireMusic where questions submitted by fans are answered by the DEHH crew on the spot.
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[@BoiSadd]

Kendrick isnt one-sided. He’s not on the outside looking in, he’s not on the inside looking out. He’s in the dead fucking center looking around. He talks about the problems, the reasons, and the solutions behind it.

[@mykectown]

I'm not about to sit here and go through these comments (as I'm trying to stay away from the c-section in general), but I will address something that a few people sent me on Twitter. You guys are absolutely right. I (and we) totally misspoke. Lupe, Krit, Common and J. Cole are mainstream artists who have been talking about this issue for a while. I just kinda meant this particular angle I was discussing. But I see how it came off. Sorry. Kind of a heat of the moment kinda moment. As far as the white people who are mad about what I said...deal with it. I feel that the smart people with basic common sense and social awareness knew exactly who and what I was talking about. The rest of you...you get no apologies from me. Do your research. Later.

[@5mics]

Myke C-Town Yo Myke for president!

[@TawandaTD97]

Try to look more Interested

[@mykectown]

+Tawanda Batana No thanks.

[@thedondon911911]

+Myke C-Town I dont recall cole making music like this, especially THIS topic

[@levontegayden4126]

wym we dont got the same opportunities? why you think that is. im looking for an answer more specific than "the white man". my mama always tell me to stop playin victim, stop blamin problems on the system. yea its fucked up but this america, there is some things the system cant get away with. why dont we as black people go to college? no money? take a loan, and pay it back after you got a degree and an actually make a livings worth instead of bullshit jobs while we feed off welfare. think about that, all the blacks on welfare are taking the white mans money. you dont think they are mad about that? bc blacks compared to the black population, have way too many welfare recipients. we gotta stop actin like the white man out to get us. i know stereotypes are alive and well but i don't believe they are rooting for us to "do their job" and kill each other.

[@bgetem24]

i think it's safe to say Hip-Hop NEEDS this album.

[@AbstractOP]

It did

[@KolydoscopeMusic]

Myke was 100% correct with this. So was everyone else too. Kendrick is the artist hip-hop NEEDS right now.

[@zebradank9497]

Not the one it deserves .... Lol

[@KolydoscopeMusic]

CodysFavorites keep making the vids - Eon from RG (Haha)

[@99chavis]

Brandon Rodriguez Lol I was thinking the same thing. Kendrick for Batman?

[@mattydigs]

Wait wait.. so a theory blaming the white man for somehow making black people kill each other is the one you're going with? LOL It's called personal responsibility. Pathetic.

[@sirm.a.r.s4640]

towards the gun and liquor stores we didn't built? To the drugs we didn't bring into our communities? Personal responsibility definitely applies but not when our communities are built to kill us and wasn't built by us or for is.

[@Apizzaslice]

Myke man.... I want to shake this dude's hand and buy him a meal or some shit. Foreel.

[@jarenyoung9389]

Vinnie Mac Just fire Roman already

[@KitanaiharE]

"I'm black as the heart of a fucking aryan" DAMN Kendrick. I mean DAMN Kendrick

[@GGzZeus]

Prince G-MO ironic cause Kendrick's new album is called DAMN. lol

[@ordinarygames4565]

BitchImFatJesus this man predicted the future

[@segmentgweezy4228]

Prince G-MO DAMN.

[@itsnoya5520]

Prince G-MO DAMN...this nigga just predicted Kendricks 4th album 2 years before it came out...DAMN

[@loadedpainted7040]

@@itsnoya5520 DAMN

[@SayItAintSooph]

So nobody could tell me my hat was crooked? Lmfaoo I hate yall. This question was so fun to answer though, thanks for watching everyone!

[@KolydoscopeMusic]

Great discussion!

[@jlp3803]

😍

[@christianhavens2150]

The video ended with me still confused on how Kendrick makes you uncomfortable.

[@gmanmonsterz]

You'll always look beautiful My Love💕 fuck the hat

[@JrSmyth]

Similar to Myke and Halle Berry, I just want to hold your hand and skip while we are at the beach.

[@ravanaRTT]

The fact that some people were upset by the last part just proves what kdot was saying about large parts of the black community being hypocrites. Being part of a certain race (no matter what you've been through as a collective) does make you perfect, or immune to doing fucked up shit. Sadly a lot of people (of all races) are quick to criticise other groups of people, yet act like their shit don't stink.

[@iPyroNigma]

Even Kendrick embraces (at least one of the elements that compose that hypocrisy) that hypocrisy in XXX (if we assume the killer in that song is African American) where Kendrick's advice is "if somebody kill my son, that means somebody getting killed". I believe the reason the song garnered controversy was because people tend to see issues and morality through a black and white lens that isn't particularly detailed in terms of shades of black and white. Kendrick, to a certain degree, lies right on the bed of the grays. He acknowledges human flaw as natural.

[@KitanaiharE]

"My best friends are white" LMAO, yall had me dead with that one.

[@obiwashere]

i agree with myke. pro black doesn't mean anti-white.

[@brigjay123]

Myke C-Town am impressed by your take/interpretation on the song. Awesome perspective!

[@dylanbrady9925]

Has no one noticed the contrast between the I love myself and we hate ourselves message on both of these singles?

[@danielrauch643]

Man Myke, you straight up hit the nail on the head

[@iamrisko]

I like that myke said being pro black doesn't necessarily mean that you're anti white...a lot of people do for some reason merge the two!

[@patriotsfreak2]

Myke you explained this perfectly. Kendrick is saying the African-American community should stop acting hypocritical. Black on black violence is just as upsetting and problematic as police on black violence, both a result of a horribly corrupt system. There should be efforts to stop both. Kendrick is a much more intelligent and deeper thinker than some give him credit for. Awesome breakdown Myke, just wanted to reiterate.

[@atari_k1]

Myke literally said it's not the African American community😭, bruh

[@vinbdias]

C-Town nailed it with that analysis. Goddamn.

[@Jay_BinLaden]

Kendrick is basically saying that we should be proud to be black and that we need to stop being hypocrites. What makes him so unique is the fact that his music isn't simplistic and that he points out significant facts about ourselves.

[@Jay_BinLaden]

***** You don't get it

[@iamhexoronii]

"This is the _ I like " "This bumps in the whip"

[@jayaquille]

No disrespect to the other guys but I really don't think DEHH would be shit without myke

[@jayaquille]

and feefo to an extent

[@SJO897]

+Jevon Watson Trust me, you take any of them out and the whole dynamic is ruined. I get what you mean though fam.

[@Callum8674]

Myke also doesn't talk about Hip Hop on his channel

[@UnplayedGaming]

Not Beezy he doesn't say anything alot anyway he's expendable

[@SJO897]

***** Nah man, Beezy's got the most knowledge when it comes to producers. He's just not as well spoken as the other guys.

[@TheMasterOE]

Myke C-Town explanation held so much truth.

[@sahur2019]

I heard someone say something that stuck with me a lot Bout how we need protection from those protectin' the block Nobody lookin' out for nobody Maybe we should try and help somebody or be somebody Instead of bein' somebody that makes the news So everybody can tweet about it And then they start to RIP about it And four weeks later nobody even speaks about it Damn, I just had to say my piece about it

[@HaaziqSilver]

Azealia Banks ain't doing shit but trashing Music artist but not doing anything in the music industry lmao.

[@pullupthen5073]

azealia banks and Lupe Fiasco are both in the same boats. They are fake ass prophets who do nothing that talk with no action. They think that their words are powerful enough to physically make a change, but in reality they don't take affirmative action because they are both addicted to the white mans money

[@KitanaiharE]

Brandon Standifer do not categorize lupe with azalea banks bruh. Just...NO

[@pullupthen5073]

I never mentioned K Dot in my original post.

[@pullupthen5073]

Musically Lupe is on another level than Banks. But I still put them together like I said in my comment

[@hiphopismydrug1]

I actually liked Azealia Banks' album. I like her music but some of her comments make my eyes roll.

[@DL-ty4cu]

i interpreted the song the first time i heard it as kendrick feeling like a hypocrite for wanting to empower the culture, yet being so publicly soft on all the high profile violence inflicted on black americans in the national news lately. like he sounded angry at himself about that. which i thought was interesting cuz it shows a conflict in him. but after a couple more listens, when he admits to murdering another black person in the last verse, i started to see that this might axtually be a character in a larger concept, which raises a lot of interesting questions about where this song will fit into the album, if it turns out to be a full concept like good kid. part of me thinks the song isnt kendricks p.o.v. though, but a position he is embodying in the music to shed light on an idea or perception others might not have considered before. either way its a banger.

[@KevinAnglade]

Precisely on point! I throughouly agree and couldn't have said it any better!! Many people are unaware of this and they should do well to remember that Kendrick is an album's artist, not a singles artist.

[@BIGGboyee515]

i am 100% sure this is a character if you here that untitled song he did on the Colbert Report all of the songs seem like like characters. he has said plenty of times he is a writer not a rapper and that he wants to tell a story.

[@DL-ty4cu]

Myreon Smith totally. Odd then that none of the DEHH crew even bring it up as a viable interpretation. I mean we all remember how Backstreet Freestyle sounded like an uncharacteristic braggadocios track until heard in context of the story and characters. Yeah, I'm glad other people are getting it on the same wavelength. Funny how sometimes the DEHH dudes totally understand the fictional narrative underlying a track(like the Run the Jewels persona/over the top attitude) but take other story/theatrical tracks at face value. idk, interesting though.

[@osamabeenhadhoes5187]

Myreon Smith / nah it’s real he really did kill someone. Listen to “ignorance is bliss”

[@skygaizur001]

Myke C Town hit it on the head. Thats the same message i got from the song. The message in the saying hypocrite and leading you from the beginning to the end of the track, he gives you the framework of the overall message before he gets to the meat of it. I get it! LOVE the song!

[@ronniewest87]

I can appreciate the insight you guys provide. First time watcher here, now ima catch up to yall been doin.

[@DoItBig1994]

Honestly, this track is everything to me. I grew up in the hood, and when I went to college. It infuriated me when I saw what seemed to be a lack of national outrage at homies from high school fearing for their lives and dying at the hands of our own communities, and when I try to bring it up, I'm brushed of as anti-black.

[@Vextos]

Myke always be saying the realest shit, salute.

[@Esthiem]

They answered my question?!?! Dope lol Love yall !

[@toreall101]

Nas touched on this topic a lot on his album "Untitled".

[@TheKomet123]

I was running through the 6ix with my WOES

[@OrthoReadings]

U know how Dat shit goes

[@llttrr]

do you like it or do you like it cause everyone likes it?

[@TheKomet123]

MyNameLeonIs I specifically like that song and Jungle. I don't like the rest of the tape

[@NK-wy8wp]

Dat nigga Johnny bling is the plug

[@OrthoReadings]

THE REAL HARD CORE CHAMP lmao, legend has it he put him on to some finer things.

[@pullupthen5073]

Damn, Myke totally changed my perspective on this whole record. Wow! That was amazing bro. Good fucking job

[@gatorboycb]

Kendrick is definitely not the first or only of this generation of rappers to speak on social and political problems of today in music. J. Cole often raps about social terms in more of a historical way. Childish Gambino often blogs about cases and instances of injustice that don't make the news, and his last album Because the Internet was about the social repercussions of today's information driven internet.

[@mistahmst]

Obviously he's not the only hip-hop artist to talk about social issues, it's just that he executed it so perfectly and there's not a lot of rappers in the mainstream who talk about it like he does.

[@PhmgSB]

+ Lupe Fiasco

[@gatorboycb]

No Slave Name Gambino has sold as much as Cole with his last album that went gold and was nominated for a Grammy in 3 categories. I think it's just a matter of respect given to certain artists for speaking on certain topics, especially in the Black community where those names hold more weight

[@PaintedHoundie]

***** nobody gives a shit about him anymore. They think he fell off and catches heat for stupid shit. I think his album sales for Tetsuo & Youth were lower than Joey Bada$$'s

[@chicagomycity]

P-Walk03 When does Gambino really talk about social issues? He is definitely smart, gives personal accounts, and he has a keen awareness about stereotypical perceptions. But I would say I get more socio-political commentary from Gambino in his interviews, than in his actual songs..........

[@aka_jr]

I get so mad when people need confirmation of their political and social views from musicians. That's arguably another reason why Kendrick wanted to drive home hypocrisy with TBTB; he is innately a hypocrite because he's human. Azaelia Banks could be called a hypocrite because her music doesn't always (or hardly ever) reflect her political stance. Also, the Billboard comments remind me of parallels to Killer Mike's comments on the necessity of self-run and cultivated black communities like Atlanta. Self respect doesn't have to be as literal as Sophie mentioned, it can be expressed in developing economically strong communities across America. Also, if you don't like I, try listening to the SNL version. That 4th verse was fire and puts the rest of the song into context, kinda like the extended version of swimming pools. Love the show, keep it up!

[@dgIG9508]

Jourdan 'Faceless' Russell Because of that performance "i" became my favorite song I hope that last verse is on the album though. I also agree with everything you said and alot of us more than people think have self love and are trying to build better communities but some bullshit always happens and derails everything.

[@BIGGboyee515]

You got it exactly right in my opinion!! high five for that.

[@Pharaohcious]

He told both sides about themselves. I agree how he is pointing out a community killing itself comes from same system. You can look at this like a that friend that will back their buddy up in an argument/fight but later tell them at what points they were wrong...but later...not to absolve the other party of their wrong

[@vinnypaz76]

Myke's perception of the track was so interesting to listen to. Much love!

[@aychmorgan21]

Got Damn I've been waiting on this from y'all! That's wuzzup!

[@PrinceSonCheeba]

I like what you guys are doing. Keep it going

[@Papparazzi18]

I live in Cincinnati Ohio and 101.9 plays Blacker The Berry on the radio every day lol!

[@DHMKbril]

Myke got the same message i did

[@Thisguyecm]

I appreciate this group of people actually having an opinion about hiphop and its different artists. Kendrick is one of my favs simply for being real. I listened to a mixtape of his and I didnt feel any type of ignorance from it. Its important that we keep the artists separated and really focus on the true artists who do hip hop for its platform to bring awareness, to speak on the times, to speak on their feelings. I hate the hiphop thats full of drugs and money. They didnt glorify this shit back in the day. They spoke on it and they wanted more than what was around them. So yeah i will be tuning into this youtube channel.

[@Konn181]

Theo C interesting bit in this when they talk about how a lot of musicians don't back any big issues anymore, and the awards part is spot on.

[@johnjr578]

myke is my favorite when speaking bout hip hop, he truly embodies exactly how I felt on BTB

[@salimno1salim]

I can't wait for the "To Pimp a butterfly" review. I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

[@bobbob-xz1fg]

great convo loved all the different opinions

[@ianjudge5572]

Also J Cole(Be Free), Big K.R.I.T (Soul Food), Tyler, the Creator (Listen to 48) Kanye West (Sometimes), even OG Maco (Breathe) has talked about current events too guys it is not just Kendrick.

[@bulletfastspeed]

Great song. Also, in a similar vein, check out the Clipping song Knees on the Ground.

[@BigMunDungus4000]

as far as radio, in perth, western australia i heard this play the day after it was released on triple J. Its sad to hear you guys say it hasnt gotten play over there but if its any consolation just know its getting heard abroad :)

[@magicwaffl3z]

Last line of the song gives me chills every time

[@magicwaffl3z]

or verse actually

[@MrBoondocks213]

what's the instrumental playing throughout the video??

[@cHeeeseEggs]

C-Town was spot on my reaction to the song. I can't wait for the album!

[@emiliocoppin1844]

myke went in

[@SxPcChcknMcNggts]

What's the song played at the beginning of the video?

[@dontknow562]

Lupe's been making messages like this in his music and aiming it to be played in the mainstream (Bitch Bad, Words I Never Said, etc.), only difference is that he's not as "accessible" than Kendrick.

[@CASSOBLVCK]

Kendrick's been saying this same shit for awhile too before he was accessible

[@dontknow562]

Eyad Madani But my thing is Lupe's been doing it since Food & Liquor 1 and The Cool, back when he was more relevant in the mainstream and before he was as complex as he is now. He was like a Kendrick then, accessible and deep, something for all listeners. It's just no one made a fuss about songs like Hurt Me Soul or Real, etc. Don't get me wrong I'm a huge Kendrick fan as well but he does get special treatment in a way, you know?

[@dontknow562]

God Soul Production Oh yeah I know, I'm a Kendrick fan too. Just saying even before that

[@dontknow562]

Eyad Madani Yeah of course, I get that for sure. But I see a lot of older people who think Kendrick is like the first to do it and it just seems weird to me lol

[@Punjabispitta]

Eyad Madani feels like homework? at least Lupe isn't giving you unnecessary information.

[@madhysteria]

Mike for president dope vid yall!

[@TheDajan1994]

What's the name of the song played at beginning of the video

[@Pharaohcious]

It's a conversation we're supposed to have with ourselves. It's not for others to bring up but we need to call eachother out and he was shedding light on his situation and people felt convicted and then angry.

[@CodysFavorites]

Great discussion as always

[@marcuspierre7510]

I'm not particularly active on KZbin, usually just get my kicks out of watching and laughing, listening or whatever. This is the most refreshingly poignant channel I have come across in a long time. The dialogue created by this track among black adults my age represented by you guys is not only substantive but representative of why this art form matters.

[@communityEsc]

Love this conversation.

[@ChicityAngel]

Myke, you said it so well!

[@Citiofgods]

very stimulating conversation,we need more of this,like real shit

[@Mrforever34]

The message is straight forward

[@Cologne2b]

These guys LOVE Kendrick! He gets 17 min reviews for tracks and 10:46 Really????!! J Cole was over there in Ferguson and even had the track 'Be Free' but that, apparently, doesn't count in Ctown's book....smh.

[@bmwxtra]

Only a Cole fan would get butthurt over the length of a review.

[@Cologne2b]

***** Are you sure? I ONLY buy Nas, J Cole & Kendrick albums.....so try again.

[@bmwxtra]

Escobar600GOAT_NODEBATING. Still a Cole fan. I stand by my argument.

[@Cologne2b]

***** You are not that bright huh?.....I'll let you keep replying now.....

[@ivan6194life]

Stop bitching about something as trivial as that shit man are u serious? Thats cool that j cole said it "first" fine and dandy now look at the bigger picture! The message is being put out. Wanna look for a reason to get at ctown, fuck outta here

[@CheckYourGarden]

The truest song I've heard this year

[@mikagodslightlivesinme3342]

NailedIt ..Thank you

[@Henwin100]

I got a feelin' Kendrick's new album is gonna start up a movement that's been in the talks, but needs that push. This man is inspiring to the youth of America, and he knows it 100%. It's up to him to speak his mind and put his heart into his music and spark the movement.

[@Kaicrewsade]

Can someone please tell me the beginning song at the beginning of the video

[@spencergeller2236]

I think Mike pulled the same meaning film the song that I did. The title of the song is 'The Blacker The Berry', a book based on black people judgmental of other black people due to external influences. Kind of the same thing he pulled from.

[@deecool47]

Phew, this went smoother than expected. I thought it'd be a lot more heated.

[@dannystevens2900]

He might not be rapping about designer things, but didn't he do a commercial for trainers which is a very similar thing.

[@malikwms96]

Great Discussion. Although Its Been A Couple Of Months, I Think Y'all Should Link Up And Review Fabolous The Young OG Project

[@PhillipJacksonabstract]

Joey has also been doing this

[@ICEMAN904x]

GOOD SHIT the guy with the dreads took the words right out of my mouth

[@jordon555]

Is the joint still available?

[@Daiton45]

There's one thing thats buggin me because at the end of the song the beat sonds A LOT like the song he performed on the Colbert Report yet he said that the song he performed is not on the album so im slightly confused... DOPE song though

[@hybridpredator1]

It is on the radio in london

[@captainninjax7561]

I still haven't listened to the song yet, but I need to check it out though

[@RodneyLlaverias]

whats the name of the song in the beginning?

[@jtsasuke96]

okay the reason people got upset with the end of the song is because kendrick called black people out on their shit, that's what i say

[@TheseBitchesWantNikes]

jtsasuke96 Yeah and for Myke to sit there and STILL try to blame black on black "white supremacy" is stupid bullshit.

[@log1kthegreat47]

I think hes talking bout his self when he said hypocrite at the end but in the same breath hes speaking for the masses of brothers who feel like he feels in this song on how we talk about black on black crime but growing up in the jungle your hand can be forced to kill or hurt or even have hate for your own kind i feel him in many ways (just my opinion)

[@RealestNiqqa]

Yall should've combined this with a little section for j Coles letterman performance

[@STuFF0025]

I heard a theory going around about the concept of the album, and the difference between the track "i" and "The blacker the berry"- since "i" tries to be positive and unites people through peaceful ways just like Martin Luther King did, however "The blacker the berry" unites people whilst having an aggressive and violent tone like Malcolm X, perhaps the rest of the album will also have concepts based upon black figures in history

[@frankgranado2506]

That's right

[@antboogeyman]

Hey I’m late for this video obviously, but can anyone send me the name of that introduction song? Hella dope

[@justinvautour91]

If this song is anything like his album will be like, I hate to say it but he's going to take the crown and people are not going to be able to argue about it anymore. This shit was so tough, and the content on this song is crazy. I don't think some people realize how deep this song/songs and messages that he delivers are

[@TheClassicalKids]

daamn yo i wish i was in the room for this discussion

[@bigstaceinc]

I wish I could have seen this earlier. ...good video

[@killerdls]

i thought sophie was done with dead end. good to see her back. that new kendrick and new earl sweatshirt i got that shit on repeat.

[@kevinallen9496]

What was that song at the very beginning

[@BoBlankets]

Absolute work of art, first 2 verses emphasizes "I'm the biggest hypocrite" just like in film when they put an emphasis on an object so you know thats a key object that will later come into play! Hes doing too much in the first 2 verses purposely to build the stage for the final verse which brings the entire song into context! Bravo Kendrick! Absolute art!

[@MsGorter]

Kendrick's Lamar had not only done enterntainment but he did also what I found interesting , and that is the social condition and so on. It's better. Good job Kendrick. Good job.

[@steppingrazor9436]

Great thoughts guys.this is what black people need(black love)and not killing each other,nothing wrong about loving and standing for ur people.

[@HipHopVsHipPop]

Kendrick called out both the white and black community to tell them that both have a long way to go. Can't hate song was a masterpiece

[@Bizzybanks24]

I guess nobody heard 2014 forest hill drive cuz cole definitely talked about stuff like this but Kendrick do it now he the only one and even drake had some bars about it on 6pm in New York

[@adg5917]

Kendrick spreads a message of love. That is all.

[@napptyme8961]

I'm a big fan of Kendrick Lamar, but "Prince Ea" that isn't even signed (as far as I know) drops bombs of knowledge in all his music! You guys should check him out!

[@ianmchenry306]

mix tape download dont work for me

[@traecurry8856]

Been waiting 4 this since the day it dropped #TYBG

[@AfroPlaylist]

This Track actually got me hyped for his album

[@samadrazza307]

I understand Kendrick but his thinking is so deep that its hard to keep up with him he's so fuckin clever in this particular song