Yahoo News Kendrick Lamar's Lyrics About Photoshop and Stretch Marks Are Sparking a Lot of Feelings
Kendrick Lamar snuck up on the world yet again, dropping a music video for new single "Humble" Thursday.
If the 4 million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours is any indication, the majority of people seemed to lap up new work from the Compton rapper.
But, like most things, there is room to appreciate and critique an artist at the same time—which is exactly what people on Twitter have been doing.
SEE ALSO: Sit down and watch Kendrick Lamar's new video for 'Humble'
"I’m so f***in’ sick and tired of the Photoshop / Show me somethin’ natural like afro on Richard Pryor / Show me somethin’ natural like ass with some stretch marks / Still will take you down right on your mama’s couch in Polo socks," Lamar raps on "Humble," all while a women appears on a split screen—half of her in flawless makeup with straight hair, and the other half with no makeup and curly hair.
To some, it was a welcoming acknowledgement of no-makeup fierceness and stretch marks, a 100% normal thing that happens to humans that unfortunately has a negative social stigma attached to it.
So... I'm thinking about @kendricklamar's new video for #Humble & the casting call where they said. "Naw, sis. Not enough stretchmarks." pic.twitter.com/kXPKxWfQ40
— April (@ReignOfApril) March 30, 2017
Kendrick told women on the last day of women's history month that we are beautiful without the extra shit & y'all still mad 😭 how?
— 🌺MoreStace (@GetYouAStace) March 31, 2017
How dare Kendrick Lamar tell women he finds them beautiful in their most natural state!
How dare he!
🙄— CHLOÉ (@CleverlyChloe) March 31, 2017
One of my favorite parts in #Humble video pic.twitter.com/EC8k7XDT8U
— Lola (@MuseNLola) March 30, 2017
i'm personally here for kendrick vouching for women being proud of their bare, natural selves.
— mina (@aminapatrece) March 31, 2017
But for others, a drastically different conversation was happening on Twitter as people critiqued Lamar's lyrics and music video.
While the majority of comments still praised the video itself, a common theme in Twitter discussions the reluctancy to place Lamar on a pedestal as a body-positive figure because he mentioned how he—as a man—prefers women to look.
I appreciate Kendrick mentioning stretchmarks. I also know he probably only means certain types of stretchmarks on certain kinds of women.
— Elle J Kaye (@spokenELLE) March 31, 2017
I don't look to Black male artists to be empowered. I find the concept kinda funny. Their art doesn't "empower" me. It barely even sees me.
— Trudy (@thetrudz) March 31, 2017
However I'm pointing out that men are usually heralded for doing the bare minimum when it comes to women. Ppl did the same thing w/ ab-soul.
— fat and boujee (@delafro_) March 31, 2017
My thought is that it's reality for a lot of women, but it is a women's right to choose how she wants to look and not a man's place to say
— Shreddy Pendegrass (@Cmilairk) March 31, 2017
I want black women to be acknowledged and appreciated for our intellect and our accomplishments not just our face, hair and asses. https://t.co/uCPLbp9XtT
— kaila (@kaichare) March 31, 2017
Tens of thousands black women missing/dead in the u.s and no one is doing anything about it. But, we still talking bout what we look like?
— kaila (@kaichare) March 31, 2017
In the vein of Alicia Keys, women can do what the f*** they want—whether if that's analyzing a problematic fave or enjoying the music.
(Video below contains profanity)
That's your choice to make.
