It's a great, great experience to finally get the reception that you know you rightfully deserve.
Every time I write these words they become a taboo,_x000D_ _x000D_ Making sure my punctuation curve, every letter here's true,_x000D_ _x000D_ Living my life in the margin, and that metaphor was proof.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the struggle of expressing oneself authentically while confronting societal constraints and taboos.
Kendrick Lamar's quote illustrates the tension between personal expression and the societal expectations that often impose limits on creativity and identity. By acknowledging that his words become taboo, he highlights the challenges artists face in communicating their truths, urging listeners to understand the deeper meaning behind his lyrics which serve as both a personal narrative and a commentary on societal issues. The reference to living life in the margins suggests that he finds strength and identity in the spaces often overlooked or deemed unacceptable by mainstream culture.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of artists in challenging societal norms.
More from Kendrick Lamar
All quotes →I've been called a recluse. There's definitely truth in that. I like to spend time alone.
This is the thing about hip-hop music and where people get it most misconstrued: It's all hip-hop. You can't say that just what I do is hip-hop, because hip-hop is all energies. James Brown can get on the track and mumble all day. But guess what? You felt his soul on those records.
The majority of my interactions with police were not good. There were a few good ones who were actually protecting the community. But then you have ones from the Valley. They never met me in their life, but since I'm a kid in basketball shorts and a white T-shirt, they wanna slam me on the hood of the car. Sixteen years old.
People have to go through trials and tribulations to get where they at. Do your thing - continue to rock it - because obviously, God wants you here.
I penetrate the hearts of good kids and criminals
Similar quotes
I always considered, with every shoot, I was on trial; every time I pick up my camera and start out on the relationship, I am at degree zero. There is no coasting.
If you are going to write, say, fantasy - stop reading fantasy. You've already read too much. Read other things; read westerns, read history, read anything that seems interesting, because if you only read fantasy and then you start to write fantasy, all you're going to do is recycle the same old stuff and move it around a bit.
To any artist, worthy of the name, all in nature is beautiful, because his eyes, fearlessly accepting all exterior truth, read there, as in an open book, all the inner truth.
The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web. The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.
My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.
Music's only purpose should be for the glory of God and the recreation _x000D_ of the human spirit.