While certainly not gospel albums, religion and faith have been undertones of sorts for both Kendrick Lamar’s Section.80 and good kid, m.A.A.d city. The latter features a prayer for eternal salvation on both “Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter” and “Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst.” And the former, HipHopDX’s 2011 pick for album of the year, also raised some eyebrows for its artwork. As part of a 30-minute question and answer session at the SoHo Apple Store earlier this month, Kendrick explained that he never intends to preach to listeners. But he added he does put certain topics in the air, and it’s the listener’s choice as to what they do with such topics. Apparently, such was the case with the Section.80 artwork.
“It’s taboos of the world,” Kendrick explained, in regards to including a bible, gun clip and pack of condoms on the Section.80 cover. “I had got a lot of criticism on that album cover as a matter of fact—same thing I got with [good kid, m.A.A.d city]. My whole thing about the gun clip and the condoms next to the bible is, people think if you have a bible, there’s supposed to be some holy water next to it. That’s a person that’s already saved. I’m not speaking on them; they’re good. I’m speaking on a person that’s looking at this clip he just put on the drawer, these condoms, a woman’s lipstick and this bible. It’s showing that he’s a human being, but he’s trying to find himself at the same time.”
Based on initial projections, the faith-based themes won’t keep listeners away. Section.80 vaulted to the top of the iTunes chart shortly after its digital release, and peaked as the second-best selling Hip Hop/Rap album. This year, in addition to much critical praise, HitsDailyDouble.com estimates Kendrick Lamar will move between 200,000 and 225,000 of his proper Aftermath debut.
A clip of the interview is available below, and you can also watch the full 30-minute “Meet The Musician” segment on YouTube.
J Cole sold over 200,000 first week, then kinda faded. Will the same happen to KL?
no it won’t because J. Cole fucking sucks and makes boring-ass music
No because Kendrick’s album is alot better.
J. Cole doesn’t suck but most of his music is pretty boring. but his debut album is more mainstream friendly than Kendrick’s, but overall Kendrick is better and he has plenty of tracks that are mainstream worthy.
J.cole irrelevant nigga.HiiiPoWeR
Kdot
j cole produced HiiiPower ^^^
J cole went gold.
J. Cole hasn’t faded, he just hasn’t overexposed himself like Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, drake, etc.
What the hell you talking about?!!! Niggas still on the Cole World wagon! Niggas is bumpin them few tracks he dropped on the net. So wtf is you saying?!
Hard to compare the two though. Kendrick had an extra day (album came out on Monday).
Who’s wacker. 2chainz or future.
I crushed J.Cole!
Cole was the first Rap artists since Nas to go platinum without collaborations from other markie artists …. 2014 forest hills dr. = Illmatic ??? If u know hip-hop you should know that… Facts!! 2 of the greatest to ever bless the Mic!! But there’s always gonna be dumbasses that wanna jam dat Xannye Turn up bullshit !! ” Real ” People kno “Real” Music…
J.Cole produced HiiiPoWeR
It doesn’t matter who is better. They are the two top mc’s that are doing what hip hop needs to be. Besides, the two are also doing a collaborative album together. Save that who is better garbage.
How could somebody say J. Cole’s music is boring? You guys aren’t even listening to the music if you’re saying that. Regardless if they were trolling or not, if you think that, then there’s definitely something wrong with you. J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar are two of the best out so far.
I think people just say what other people say, it’s like niggas can’t think for on their own.
Because he talks about the same shit a lot, and his hooks are terrible, not to mention his delivery is pretty… plain. His punchlines are sometimes corny, but at other times really good and sometimes he says funny shit but it’s easy to see why someone could call him “boring”. Although I personally like him.
j. cole is one of the most boring rappers out right now…nigga talks about the same thing over and over again
yeah man, j cole is a pretty dope rapper, but he can get really boring sometimes. half of the songs are always about a girl he’s trying to hit on or something, and he dosnt have much subject content for the other half too.
his delivery is on point sometimes, but can get sprawling at times. maybe if cole was more focused he can be a really great emcee. but other than that he cant stand next to kendrick as far as album song quality and skill.
WHAT THESE OTHER NIGGAZ SAID, WITHOUT THE “BUT I LIKE HIM” PART
No one is more boring than Rick Ross. No one.
Same flow. Three beats.
Ja Rule needs to talk about his PIL2 cover. That’s the best album cover ever!