DAMN Right.
I’m not 100% sure who the intended audiences for award shows are, but I’m almost certain they aren’t males between 35 and 45.
Typically a dog and pony show of the trendiest trends currently trending, I watched Kendrick Lamar light up the opening of the Grammys last night with wide eyes and my jaw firmly on the floor. It was the perfect mix of politics, social justice and music intersecting on the national stage. It wasn’t the typical music award show song and dance—it was art. It rattled me and stuck with me long after it was over, which is exactly what good art is supposed to do.
It also had me thinking about what Kendrick Lamar brings to the table as an artist. While his records are bold, politically charged, controversial and kneecappingly honest, in interviews he never directly talks about politics, politicians or other hot-button topics driving current conversations. He lets his art do the talking, tackling issues of race, media, culture and poverty through his own lens—the perspective of a talented, smart, young, black man from Compton.
His performance last night reminded me of a Rolling Stone article from last year when he dropped DAMN. When asked about speaking out politically Lamar responds:
“I mean, it’s like beating a dead horse. We already know what it is. Are we gonna keep talking about it or are we gonna take action? You just get to a point where you’re tired of talking about it. It weighs you down, and it drains your energy when you’re speaking about something or someone that’s completely ridiculous. So, on and off the album, I took it upon myself to take action in my own community. On the record, I made an action to not speak about what’s going on in the world or the places they put us in. Speak on self, reflection of self first. That’s where the initial change will start from.”
It’s a beautiful point and one that resonates with our agency: It’s time to stop talking, time to start doing. Start in your community; start with your neighbors.
If you ask me, it’s about DAMN time someone said it.