After listening to Lamar’s “XXX.” once again, I think it is important to look at the meaning and context behind the song. In doing so, it will give me and other listeners more insight to why Lamar decided to write this song. He references so many different movements and social justice issues within this song. There is an entire verse later on in the song that brings up all of these issues. It is so interesting to listen to and reflect on. Most of the topics he addresses are still very, if not more, relevant today.
Kendrick Lamar’s album Damn., which included “XXX.”, was released on April 14, 2017. This was just a couple months after Donald Trump was inaugurated into office. Throughout his political campaign, immigration was something and still is something he is very serious about. Lamar directly addresses this issue in “XXX.” by saying,:
Hail Mary, Jesus and Joseph
The great American flag is wrapped in drag with explosives
Compulsive disorder, sons and daughters
Barricaded blocks and borders
The issue of gun control was also a major topic around the time of Damn.‘s release as well. This was the year that the shooting in Las Vegas occurred where 58 people were killed and more than 500 were injured. This was ann event that really shook our nation and made us take a better look at the gun control laws. Lamar also addresses this in his song by saying:
Alright, kids, we’re gonna talk about gun control
(Pray for me) Damn!
In this song, there is also mention that peaceful protests are no longer working. After looking into the lyrics more, where Lamar says:
Genius Lyrics states, “Kendrick implies that peaceful protesting isn’t working, so he suggests militant measures reminiscent of human rights activist Malcolm X. This is a reference to the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
I am aware of all of the issues mentioned in the song, but not completely educated. There is always more to learn when it comes to topics such like those listed in his song. I am really looking forward to looking deeper into the meanings behind his lyrics and gaining more awareness of social justices issues occurring today.
Emily
March 5, 2019 at 3:35 pm
I agree that Trump is a big part of this song, and guns as well, but I’m not sure that Lamar is talking about immigration in the section you quote (despite the Genius notes, which you should be skeptical of and not use as a source—also, the lyrics are wrong, it’s “wrapped and dragged” not “wrapped in drag”–though I do like that image better :-). It seems that he is talking about the inner cities and protests (leading to the “barricades”) and red-lining (creating the “borders”). The latter leads into his discussion of Wall Street and corporate offices, etc.
I suggest you look up the article, “Why Johnny Can’t Read” and think about how that informs portions of the song, too.
B