Lupe Fiasco - Kendrick Lamar - and J. Cole Song Lyrics Analysis

Question: Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole are a part of the new wave of conscious rappers. Pick two to three songs of these artists or similar artists and critically analyze the content of the lyrics and associated visual or social media presence. Answer: Introduction This particular assignment conducts critical analysis on three popular songs sung by rapper during their music career. The first song taken for this study is Old School Love sung by Lupe Fiasco. The lyrics of the song are really touching and close to the heart of the singer. The next song is Alright sung by Kendrick Lamar. Finally, the third song explained in the study is Crooked Smile sung by J Cole. It is another love song portraying self-reflection of the singer. Critical analysis of two to three songs by Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Lupe Fiasco Song- Old School Love Figure: Old School Love by Lupe Fiasco (Source: "Lupe Fiasco - Old School Love Ft. Ed Sheeran [OFFICIAL VIDEO]") Old School Love Single by Lupe Fiasco Featuring Ed Sheeran Released October 14 2013 Recorded 2013 Format Digital Download Genre Hip-hop Label 1st 15th Entertainment Atlantic Records Producers D J Frank E Writers Wasalu Jaco, Edward Sheeran and Justin Franks Length 4:33 Figure: Lupe Fiasco (Source: "Lupe Fiasco - Pick Up The Phone") Old School Love is a song by American rapper known as Lupe Fiasco. This song was released on 14 October, 2013 in promotion of his fifth studio album by Tetsuo Youth. In the song, Fiasco professes his love for old-school hip-hop with the lyrics. Ed Sheeran sings beautiful song in soulful and laid-back hook. Fiasco lyrics reflect upon the changes in hip-hop from 1980s to 1990s. This relates with hip-hop loss of innocence to the crime as well as struggles in plaguing for hometown Chicago. Kendrick Lamar Song- Alright Figure: Alright by Kendrick Lamar (Source: "Kendrick Lamar - Alright") Alright Single by Kendrick Lamar Album- To Pimp a Butterfly Released 30 July, 2015 Recorded 2014-15 Format Digital Download Genre Alternative Hip-hop Label Top Dawg, Aftermath and Interscope Producers Pharrell Williams. Sounwave and Michael Kuhle Writers Kendrick Duckworth, Mark spears and Pharrell Williams Length 3:39 Figure: Kendrick Lamar (Source: "Kendrick Lamar") Alright does American rapper Kendrick Lamar sing the third album. Lyrically, this is a festive song about hope. It mainly features unaccredited vocals at the time of chorus. Alright has received universal acclaim. This video begins with wide-angle shot in the Oakland Bridge describing dark sky paradise. The third scene of the video dedicates with donuts on little Homie. This particular video jumps to scene featuring Kendrick in an old school automobile with his black hippy brothers. J. Cole Song- Crooked Smile Figure: Crooked Smile by J Cole (Source: "J. Cole Ft. TLC - Crooked Smile (LYRICS)") Crooked Smile Single by J.Cole Album- Born Sinner Released June 4, 2013 Recorded 2012 Format Digital Download and radio airplay Genre Hip-hop and RB Label Roc Nation and Columbia Records Producers J. Cole and Elite Writers Jermaine Cole and Meleni Smith Length 4:39 Figure: J Cole (Source: Columbia Records) Crooked Smile is the second official single from his album Born Sinner. The single mainly features R B Group TLC as part of digital version. This song was ode to self-love and finds him counseling women for embracing the inner beauty created by God It is one of the empowering song. The song was a self-reflection on J Cole on embracing his imperfections and trying to get other people at the same time. The original version of the song was three years ago after the rapped version by J Cole over Tupac beat. Conclusion At the end of the study, it is concluded these three popular singers still has global presence for their contribution to music industry. They have received awards and love from audience. Fiasco has various lyrical techniques in his songwriting. On the other hand, Lamar usually has concept albums and incorporates elements of funk, free as well as spoken word poetry and jazz. As far as J. Cole is concerned, Cole develops other ventures from Dreamville Records and other non-profit organization in Dreamville Foundation. Reference List "J. Cole Ft. TLC - Crooked Smile (LYRICS)".YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. "Kendrick Lamar - Alright".YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. "Kendrick Lamar".Kendrick Lamar. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. "Lupe Fiasco - Old School Love Ft. Ed Sheeran [OFFICIAL VIDEO]".YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. "Lupe Fiasco - Pick Up The Phone".Lupefiasco.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. Columbia Records, HJ Conte. "J. Cole | Official Site".JColeMusic.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.