Kendrick Breaks Down To Pimp A Butterfly MTV News

In a MTV News interview following the release of "To Pimp a Butterfly," Grammy-winning artist Kendrick Lamar revealed crucial insights about his groundbreaking album. Lamar disclosed that the project was initially titled "To Pimp a Caterpillar" (T.P.A.C.) with the abbreviation pronounced as Tupac before evolving to "To Pimp a Butterfly" to symbolize life's brightness while maintaining the word "pimp" to represent both using celebrity status positively and resisting industry exploitation. Lamar talked about his collaboration with Top Dawg Entertainment and detailed the creative process spanning over seven months. The iconic album cover featuring Black men in front of the White House served multiple purposes, including Lamar's mission to expose people from Compton to global experiences, connecting directly to themes in "Wesley's Theory" and broader social commentary.The interview explored specific tracks including "Wesley's Theory," where Lamar addresses financial literacy gaps for successful Black artists, referencing actor Wesley Snipes' tax challenges as a cautionary tale. Lamar explained how the song reflects authentic thoughts about sudden wealth without proper education, stating, "I've spent all my time in school and escaping prison and escaping the system. So you mean to tell me the moment I become successful and I get some money and I don't know how to manage my money, that you're going to throw me back in jail for taxes?" For "King Kunta," Lamar intentionally crafted simpler yet meaningful lyrics that transform historical racial oppression into self-empowerment, creating what the host described as a track that "sounds eight feet tall" despite Lamar's smaller physical stature.Lamar took a firm stance against ghostwriting in contemporary hip-hop, particularly for emerging artists, distinguishing himself from industry trends that have become increasingly accepting of the practice. While acknowledging established artists might use ghostwriters, he emphasized that new generation rappers should "honor the code of hip-hop" by either writing their own material or transparently crediting collaborators. This position on artistic integrity garnered praise from the interviewer, who noted that the industry had become "lenient" on ghostwriting standards.Next part of interview.*There may be errors on this page.