Lessons in Hip-Hop: Kendrick Lamar’s Music Videos as Cultural Education.
Kendrick Lamar’s music videos serve as a powerful educational tool that introduces White audiences to the complexities of hip-hop culture, its deep historical roots, and its impact on confronting societal and systematic issues.With striking visuals, intricate lyricism and deep symbolism, Lamar bridges a gap between White mainstream audiences and those experiencing the realities of living in marginalised areas in America such as Compton, California. Through the visualmedium of the music video for songs such as “Alright”, “ELEMENT.”, and “Squabble up”, Lamar creates an educational space for unfamiliar audiences to engage with hip-hop culture to gain a new perspective and appreciation.
Literature reveals that since its early days, hip-hop music has often been stereotyped to depict violence, and antisocial behaviour, with lyrics illustrating the sexualisation of women, drug use and gang wars, as viewed from one perspective (Chang, Rose). Though more recent literature reveals there has been major progression in the past two decades with perceptions of hip-hop as a culture, yetproblems surrounding stereotyping and cultural appropriation are visible. (Blackshear)
Acknowledging my position as a White woman intending to gain a better understanding of hip-hop culture as aneducational tool through Lamar, and his influences, this thesis examines his music videos and the socio-cultural impact as a means of exploring hip-hop culture. By contextualising his work as lessons in hip-hop culture, this study critically analyses the ways in which Lamar is perceived by White audiences, authors, and how educators can incorporate his work into the classroom. This research includes ethnographic exploration of academic discourses, video analysis of hip-hop music videos, comparative analysis with similar artists, and the use of analytical frameworks taken from educators. This research reveals the potential of hip-hop studies in the predominantly White classroom, and the value of such education in contributing to an eventual dismantle of racist ideologies.
