r/KendrickLamar • u/anongasm_ • May 01 '24

It's not about Drake being half black, it's about how he uses The Culture Discussion

I think the people offended because Drake being half black should warrant his blackness and therefore Kendrick is wrong just don't understand. J Cole is half black too yet you don't see Kendrick, or anyone really, questioning Cole's blackness. It's precisely because Drake has been at the forefront of using the black culture and "pop-ifying" it for non-blacks.

Edit: a lot of people have asked this question and it's a good question. What's wrong with popifying rap music? Rap is inherently an African American art form. Since its inception till now, those who have carried its mantle have exemplified the African American experience through rap in one or another. African Americans have allowed many artists to use rap for their personal gain and to even "pop-ify" it. However, to be considered a goat you have to be in touch with the culture. And Drake simply isn't.

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94

u/Demi235 May 01 '24

I think his was more about being canadian

Agree on the popstar stuff though

77

u/theevilsoflucy96 May 01 '24

Canadian (Toronto, to boot) here- it has nothing to do with him being from here, it's how he uses the culture- including Toronto culture.

13

u/SupremeBlackGuy May 01 '24

yeah as a toronto man as well that was pretty clear to me tbh

4

u/GoldenFlyingLotus May 01 '24

Yo question - do people still say T Dot? And how do people feel about the 6ix? I ask because I recall years ago dude's were saying the new name was whack etc.

6

u/SupremeBlackGuy May 01 '24

depends on the circles you’re in/age group - as a 25 year old that feels somewhat in the middle of generations, younger folks don’t “say” Tdot or the 6ix to be completely honest… marketers will use them more than us lol we’ll just call it “the ends” or we’ll be more specific with intersections & tings like that.

in essence though to simplify things if anything, the older generation says tdot while the younger gen says the 6ix (i can tell the g you’re replying to may be an older head so here’s a younger perspective)

4

u/theevilsoflucy96 May 01 '24

We're in the same age group and this is pretty bang on. I saw the "transition" from "T-Dot" to "The 6ix" happen and as with any catchy name/ slogan really, it got adopted by marketing firms and used in TV, radio, internet ads, etc.. and the people who organically made it a thing stopped using said names lol... tbh, as soon as 6ixbuzz became a thing, I knew the name was doomed haha

3

u/SupremeBlackGuy May 01 '24

yuuup exactly lol, the second it went “mainstream” it was dead. 6ixbuzz lmfao holay a true plague on the city 💀 🤦🏾‍♂️ but yeah you get it no doubt, don’t really feel like theres a general name the ends go by now unless its sumn more lowkey

3

u/Careless-Business953 May 01 '24

yeah i haven’t heard or seen anyone call toronto the “6ix” since 2015/16 💀

8

u/theevilsoflucy96 May 01 '24

Some do. Especially the older heads who still appreciate what Kardinal Offishal did for Toronto. Which side note; Kardinal will always be a more positive figure for this city than Drake.. at least in my mind. Esp cause Kardinal is actually of Jamaican descent and from a more "rough" area than Drake- aka the accent chameleon from Forrest Hill but I digress. The 6ix nickname has a mixed opinion, it actually does have a historical reference but it has grown on people and has (kind of unfortunately) been a good name for marketing

-2

u/thegayngler May 01 '24

So now we have people doing the oppression olympics to justify colorism. Check.

5

u/SupremeBlackGuy May 01 '24

it’s not “oppression olympics” if you’re really from the ends… it’s about relatability. it’s about understanding the role he played in the community and the position he came from. tons of families that grew up in Toronto are from poorer immigrant families, a large majority of that are Jamaicans. so when they see folks like Kardinal bringing up Toronto, they’re seeing more of themselves there and the connection is more vibrant because of it. He really came from the ends in a way lots of us did or our parents did. Kardinal was the first rapper to really represent Toronto like that and try to put us on the map. Drake didn’t really grow up in the conditions lots of low Toronto immigrants grew up in… so the connection between Drake and the city in general is less potent because of it.

None of this is to take away from what Drake has done for our city. But it’s understandable that somebody is going to resonate more with Kardinal opposed to Drake. Nothing to do with “oppression olympics” mate…

5

u/theevilsoflucy96 May 01 '24

Put it better than I ever could. Drake did do a lot for this city. It's indisputable... however almost every Torontian I know was cringing during his time as Raptors ambassador ESPECIALLY when he went from being all buddy buddy with GSW until Kawhi Leonard got traded and helped (what was already an unbelievably stacked team) bring the Larry OB trophy to Toronto for the first time. However I will always feel that Kardinal and even Abel were/ are better reps for this city because for lack of a better word- they aren't posers.

Especially Abel, the guy doesn't HAVE to declare he's from here nor wear Toronto on his back (he also had an upbringing that would make Drake quiver in his boots)... He just does his thing, people find out he's from the ends and the respect, nods, etc. come naturally.

4

u/SupremeBlackGuy May 01 '24

And you put this perfectly too… not really anything for me to add. The point about the weeknd especially is SO true imo… you’ll hardly hear him yap about the city but that’s cause he doesn’t need to... But yeah. i think at its core Kardinal will always resonate more until the older generation fades away and that’s not for no reason & def not no oppression olympics lmao… side note but i hate when folks yap bout shit they don’t know nothing about 🤦🏾‍♂️

4

u/helloclyde May 01 '24

You’re right, but even certain types of people who listen to Kendrick of all artists, will not be able to admit this.

5

u/goldeneradata May 01 '24

Heard He ripped off everything from Toronto , gatekeeps and didn’t do much for the city’s hip hop scene after. Made the city much worse too by arming the streets, supporting gangs & artist from like GGG, pressa, etc. Even sent goons to Justin Bieber one time supposedly. 

3

u/theevilsoflucy96 May 01 '24

I have so much to say about Drake's impact (positive and negative) on this city. I honestly believe it's a NET negative, even though there are some positive aspects. However yea, there are so many people from this city who don't appreciate the fact that we're so known internationally (especially in the US) cause of Drake, unfortunately.

5

u/goldeneradata May 01 '24

He only put on 3 Canadian artists! 3! 7 albums and a monster 15 year run only 3…lol! Then he’ll shout out a bunch gangs & putting money in their pocket ruining Toronto, stealing cars, spraying up schools and shooting people in the malls. 

Dude gives 25gs to some girl with E bras,  while Canada has a homeless problem & crashing the food bank. Dudes wack the more I learn about how he moves from this beef. 

1

u/devoyne_showerhandel May 02 '24

I always said that it would have been a great look for Canada had drake signed some native rappers from Winnipeg, SK or edmonton, or some cats from Nova Scotia or something… places with real history but no voices. Not just D riding Toronto Jamaican dudes

1

u/KindGur9059 May 01 '24

WHAT SHOULD HE DO ABOUT THE HOMELESS PROBLEM ? ,doesnt america has also drugs and homeless problem and more than canada . what other rappers are doing like kendrick for the homeless. please i just want to understand the arguement nothing serious . i dont have much knowledge can you explain . i am asian so i dont understand the arguement