kendrick lamar extended essay ib

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The Literary Genius of Kendrick Lamar

Mensah demary on the album as novel.

This essay was originally presented at the 2016 AWP Conference panel The Literary Genius of Kendrick Lamar and has been edited for publication.

In an interview with BOMB Magazine , Alvaro Enrigue defines the novel by its ability to research “something that was previously not visible.” This distills several of the qualities used to distinguish novels from earlier literary forms, namely, their focus on innovation, particularity, and interiority. For a work to be novelistic, in this sense, requires more than the inclusion of certain literary devices; it must delve into and express the previously invisible, thus intellectualizing and reconciling a individual’s place in the world as he moves, ages, and transforms over time.

Kendrick Lamar’s debut album Good Kid, M.A.D.D. City contains the basic, essential elements of a novel: a protagonist faced with an antagonistic outer world, plot and its arc—from opening scene to crisis to climax on down to denouement, a narrative connected through scenes, and character development and expression through dialogue. It follows the structure of a coming-of-age story—a sub-genre defined by a young person growing with the knowledge, the realization, that there is a larger world that equally responds to and is unconcerned with the young person’s actions. If listened to from beginning to end, it displays a widening perspective as Kendrick matures, like a camera’s aperture opening for more light. Sight is at the heart of bearing witness in art; James Baldwin understood the importance of simply watching the world’s gears chew and grind before reporting back his findings, capturing both the outer world and his inner life with his essays and novels, using his lens to zoom in and out.

The coming-of-age story is perfectly suited for Kendrick’s novelistic sensibility. Good Kid, M.A.D.D. City opens with “Sherane aka Master Splinter’s Daughter,” in which Kendrick—or the narrator/protagonist known as “Kendrick”—is on his way to see the character Sherane, a paramour of interest, to put it lightly. The track introduces the listener to Kendrick’s flow, to the musicality he will deploy throughout the album, and it wastes no time in introducing the plot’s inciting incident—Kendrick arrives at Sherane’s residence and steps into a set-up involving two individuals, dressed in black hoodies, with ill intentions.

The camera focus is tight: Kendrick’s sight is narrow, concentrating on his immediate life—his family, his friends, his music, his Compton. By the time we get to “ Sing About Me/I’m Dying of Thirst ,” Kendrick’s view has begun to widen, precipitated by a shooting death that occurs in the previous track, “ Swimming Pools .” He recognizes that the world continues without him, indifferent to his existence. He cuts through this indifference with “ Sing About Me ” by taking on new personas, embodying his friend in the first verse and the sister of a young prostitute in the second. Through these new personas, Kendrick steps outside of himself, further widening his sight. What is revealed ranges from a deepening of faith to a reconciling of mortality to the necessity of self-love.

Kendrick’s follow-up album, To Pimp a Butterfly , is more ambitious in scope and scale, perhaps out of necessity. Whereas Good Kid, M.A.D.D. City shows Kendrick struggling against the world, To Pimp a Butterfly is shaped and defined by the interiority that struggles against these external forces. In this way, it is more memoiristic than Good Kid, M.A.D.D. City ; Kendrick’s inner world now rises up.

To Pimp a Butterfly demonstrates a malleable interiority, constantly shifting from song to song, through various black musical forms and sounds and through Kendrick’s varied vocal inflections, octaves, and flows. It deals with a man who has imposed his will upon the larger world, which has responded in kind with fame and excess, forcing him to actively seek and decide his precise place in the world. Rather than merely reflecting perceived reality, the album attempts to declare and intellectualize decisions, filtered through one’s life and memory. It uses narrative as more than a method for reflecting the conditions of Kendrick’s life; instead, it attempts to reveal his inner life.

It’s interesting to see how the current crop of emcees, or their personas, portray their reaction to outsized fame; Drake, for instance, seems burdened by it, as he crooned on the track “Company” from the album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late , “I need some company, I need some company/I need you to take my mind off being in my prime.” Drake is often positioned as a kind of foil to Kendrick, and not without cause—two years before he released Good Kid, M.A.D.D. City , Kendrick was featured on the “Buried Alive Interlude,” which always astounded me; Drake, sensing the approaching celebrity, gave two minutes and thirty seconds of his own album to Kendrick, who recalls his first meeting with Drake as an “initiation” (Kendrick’s word) into fame.

There are a number of ways to handle fame: Drake, for example, has opted to embrace all the trappings his status affords him, using his music as a repository into which he can pour his complicated feelings regarding strippers, disloyal friends, and general paranoia. Kendrick, for a time, mimicked Drake in this regard, and To Pimp a Butterfly shares his findings with the listener. In it, he bears witness to his own fame and ruminates on emotional entanglements. Knowing he could sleep with a woman who’s romantically involved with the man who killed his friend, Kendrick decides he can, and should, and so he does, as depicted in the track “These Walls.”

However, it’s too easy, and perhaps disingenuous, to suggest that the conclusion Kendrick has reached is “fame is bad.” A more useful statement would be “fame is a weapon.” It’s a bat that can bludgeon the not-so-famous; it’s a knife that can slice at people’s careers; it’s a gun that can end lives. And instead of using the weapon against his fans or turning the weapon on himself, Kendrick instead points the weapon at power—his lambasting of racial inequality within the US criminal court system with his 2016 Grammy Awards live performance provides but one example.

Which brings us to the true literary genius of Kendrick Lamar, or perhaps the source of it—his ability to use music as a cathartic tool. Drake has a similar ingenuity to his work, although it is far messier and far more singular. It’s one thing to use art as a catharsis for oneself—as I mentioned earlier, Drake uses his music to air out his feelings, a literary endeavor that can be traced back centuries, as far back as Montaigne’s Essays , published in 1580—but it is another thing entirely to create art that allows catharsis for both performer and audience. This is why Kendrick is, fundamentally, a Blues artist. He raps rather than plucking at a guitar and crooning misgivings and grievances, but the effect is the same. Kendrick’s work is both personal and projected, while Drake’s work is walled off, like that of an emperor ostensibly of the people, yet separate from them. Drake’s work is deceptively cerebral, despite being openly and publicly emotional and self-involved—Drake might only think of himself, but he does think. Kendrick, meanwhile, thinks of himself and of the greater populace. This is the logical effect caused by an expanding consciousness.

Yet despite his burgeoning consciousness, with his consideration of and concern for people other than himself, the limited, nearly non-existent presence of women in Kendrick’s music is a curious point. I encourage you to seek out the words of black women in this regard, and in general, for deeper and more vital analysis . Can Kendrick speak on Blackness while maintaining that void in his work, the absence of black women? It depends on whether you believe his work speaks to Blackness—or if it speaks to one man’s reconciliation with blackness. Of course, there’s no real distinction between the two, although they are often and curiously parsed and treated as separate points, as if Blackness, in any macro sense of the word, can be engaged without consideration of one’s individual blackness. Yes, Kendrick can speak on Blackness while maintaining this absence—but at his own peril, and in service to only a portion of the Black population, ultimately in service to no one, not even to himself.

Kendrick’s career, thus far, reveals the necessity to expand consciousness, if only to see where one is standing. As far as Blackness is concerned, Kendrick’s growing militancy is the result of growing consciousness. Militancy is a natural reaction to a world that is out to kill you. Black life in America is far more instinctual than we often let on; what defines our daily lives as black people is often impenetrable to language. Kendrick, much like Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, and Alice Coltrane before him, has found a way to give sound to our secret fears of annihilation and dread in the face of never-ending hatred toward our skin color, as well as to our secret fantasies of a world stripped of whiteness, an afrofuture carved from crags as old as this nation fused with a Afrocentric present. Kendrick, somehow, speaks to us in a language only we can hear, even when others listen, making us intimate with and a part of his music. Kendrick reveals us to us, the hallmark of artistic excellence and genius.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the complete ib extended essay guide: examples, topics, and ideas.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

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• Dec 29, 2021

Kendrick Lamar’s Influence and Commentary on Black Culture

What is Africana philosophy and autoethnography, and how did Lamar influence the ideology?

Late 1995 in November, the renowned hip hop artists behind “California Love” left for Compton, California to film a music video. Midway recording, the duo began to interact with fans, and one boy who sat eagerly on his father’s shoulders watched as the two men conversed with their audience. This young boy was Kenrick Lamar; born in the middle of 1987, Lamar is a modern-day mainstream American rapper and songwriter from the West Coast.

Coming from a dysfunctional family who he would watch sell drugs and illegal weapons on his doorstep, Lamar takes great inspiration from his childhood and community, incorporating these factors into his music and most notably his first major album from 2012 , good kid, m.A.A.d city . With twelve songs, Lamar describes the album in an interview with Fuse, an online multi-community platform,

“It’s like a self-portrait, I felt that I needed to make this album in order to move on with my life (Fuse).”

Lamar’s album has been critiqued for its vulgarity and bruteness towards depicting his childhood, yet people such as James B. Haile III -- a philosophy professor at the University of Rhode Island -- contends otherwise, labeling the album to be more than a conversation or more than a man telling a story, and instead of a display of art combining Black narratives in their cultural and social lives.

In a journal published by Penn State University Press , The Journal of Speculative Philosophy , Haile elaborated in his essay, “ Good kid, m.A.A.d city ; Kendrick Lamar’s Autoethnographic Method,” that:

“....we, the listening audience, are not listening to another hip-hop album… but as a distinct method for… understanding the experiences and existence of black people (Haile 1).”

Haile then goes on to state that Lamar’s album would be categorized as an autoethnography -- a way of research and writing that connects an individual’s culture to the autobiographical nature of their society , arguing that this autoethnography is essential in understanding one’s reality and expression while also fulfilling Africana philosophy in the modern-day.

Haile begins his essay by defining the concept of theory, stating that a theory is a topic that one can study in a scientific manner while going hand-in-hand with theories revolving around race and culture (Haile 2). It is said that an autoethnography challenges the ideas of truth and universality but also one’s individuality and relationships. In Africana philosophy, Haile states how slave narratives or biographies -- whether non-fiction, fictional or semi-fictional -- are not philosophical since Africana philosophy focuses on subjects further than the European and Anglo-American resources ; Haile states in regards to what European and Anglo-American sources:

“[Africana philosophy is] a fundamental approach to knowledge from which all philosophical forms can learn (Haile 3),”

Throughout the next few paragraphs, Haile gives credit to scientist Margaret Walker and sociologist Carolyn Ellis’ study of autoethnography, noting that for Africana philosophy, narratives can be general and less well-known when compared to Fredrick Douglass or Harriet Tubman, furthering his point by asking:

“Why is your story more valid than anyone else’s?”

Responding to the inquiry by stating how the audience has a set of tools and literature to utilize while others telling your story do not (Haile 7). In regards to Kendrick Lamar’s album, Haile says that Lamar blurs the lines between his own stories and the stories of others, amalgamating the voices into one to create multiple meanings and that:

“we, the listening audience, spy on his ‘self’-interrogation on black male youth culture (Haile 13).”

Haile claims that through this album, Lamar has generated a new wave of hip-hop and rap, performing in a sense of narrativity and analysis rather than the approach most modern-day artists in hip-op do. He claims that:

“[r]ather than speaking for those who do not have a voice, Lamar blends their voices with his own without subsuming them (Haile 13),”

And, that the narrative behind the album is more than just Lamar himself and instead of the Black community as a collection . Haile states in the song “Sing About Me” that there is a constant shifting of perspective; Haile contends that although Lamar is utilizing a lot of first-person pronouns, that by the end of the song, the audience should understand that the song is instead about a friend and Lamar is speaking from not only his eyes but others he has encountered. It goes on to Lamar singing how difficult it is to sing from a narrative that is not your own but argues that incorporation of another’s narrative is no longer acceptable when it twists the truth and exploits the original voice (Haile 23). Haile continues this point by elaborating on the way Lamar uses voice in his song and that his approach to re-telling stories of others is in hopes to transmit knowledge to others and enforce individuality change within communities.

“Lamar suggests that part of his concern for telling the stories of others as if they are his, is for someone else to tell his as if it is their own (Haile 28)."

By the end of his article, Haile summarizes the point that Lamar offers mindful insight into knowledge and tradition, stating how culture could be incorporated into one’s writing about themselves and others.

“And, in the end, if ‘he’ is successful, and even if ‘he’ might have, nevertheless, developed a coherent narratological framework to express those elements of human life… creat[ing] avenues for new ideas (Haile 29),”

Haile suggests in the second to last paragraph of his essay, furthering this point as he clarifies that although there are limitations to what autoethnography is towards African philosophy, Lamar’s concern over the subjectivity of the individual is still worth exploring.

Works Cited

Barnes, Tom. “The Story Behind How Kendrick Lamar Became the King of West Coast Rap.” Mic. 15 May 2015. https://www.mic.com/articles/119372/the-story-behind-how-kendrick-lamar-became-the-king-of-west-coast-rap#:~:text=K.Dot%3A%20Lamar%20first%20started%20writing%20his%20own%20raps,told%20The%20Morning%20Riot.%20%22It%20was%20a%20high.%22

Fuse. “Kendrick Lamar Explains good kid, m.A.A.d. city Album Cover.” Youtube , uploaded by Fuse, 18 Sept. 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jq81F8VRpY&ab_channel=Fuse

Haile, James B. “ Good Kid, m.A.A.d City : Kendrick Lamar’s Autoethnographic Method.” The Journal of Speculative Philosophy , vol. 32, no. 3, Penn State University Press, 2018, pp. 488–98, https://doi.org/10.5325/jspecphil.32.3.0488

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Example essays

The International Baccalaureate® (IB)  programme resource centre,  a key resource for educators at IB World Schools, includes several examples of  extended essay titles .

These highlight the diverse range of topics covered by International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students during their extended essays.

Some examples are:

• “An analysis of costume as a source for understanding the inner life of the character”
• “A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery after a period of supervised improved nutrition.”
• “Doing  versus  being: language and reality in the Mimamsa school of Indian philosophy.” 
• “The effects of sugar-free chewing gum on the pH of saliva in the mouth after a meal.”
• “To what extent has the fall in the exchange rate of the US dollar affected the tourist industry in Carmel, California?”
•  “What level of data compression in music files is acceptable to the human ear?”

Also available in the programma resource centre , the Diploma Programme Assessment Procedures has guidance on choosing a subject for the extended essay.

The PRC is only available to existing IB World Schools.

You can also purchase examples of essays in the IB Store . These essays fulfil the requirements for an ‘A’ grade in the extended essay.

If your school is not one already, learn how to become an IB World School  in order to implement the DP.

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Trying to choose an extended essay literature topic. Picking between analyzing Kendrick Lamar's To pimp a butterfly or comparing Pink Floyd's animals to George Orwell's animal farm

By xmsty May 20, 2021 in Extended Essay

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Im currently considering 2 different extended essay topics.

Either How do Roger Waters and George Orwell use the same anthropomorphic metaphor in the album “Animals” and book “Animal farm” to portray opposing social, economic, and political ideologies? or How does Kendrick Lamar use different techniques to convey sociocultural messages throughout “To Pimp a Butterfly”?

I can't pick which would be better so if anyone can help

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How to ace your English Language and Literature IO Part 2

The English IO is often considered to be a very stressful part of the IB English curriculum. But I am here to hopefully calm some of your nerves by sharing thorough tips and my takeaways as I completed my oral earlier this year.

I am by no means an expert. I am simply an IB graduate who performed well on their IO and would like to share tips to help others be successful. My 2 part article will be based on specific steps and tips. These 2 articles will cover steps in a chronological manner – starting from initial planning, organizing, to executing your oral! For Part 2, I will delve into more content based insight and how to execute your IO.

1. Skillfully incorporating device and literary analysis

Do not forget that ultimately this is an English Oral. Sometimes, students get too focused on talking about the global issue or they end up trying to fit too much vague content into the 10 minute time slot. Remember that the emphasis is on how the author of your texts relays the message and purpose using stylistic or persuasive devices to their respective target readers. 

In your oral, if you are analysing text by text, it is recommended that you dissect and explain 2-3 quotes per text, and how the author uses devices to convey their message. A useful tip is to analyse 2-3 devices per quote. 

Here is how I would analyse a quote. For example, if you have a quote that states that: “The UN estimates that 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation in 31 countries (Salih 2020),” what could be some devices you can extract and talk about? Well, there are numbers provided, so there is statistical evidence in this quote. The statistical evidence builds on the logos (which is when there is logical evidence such as scientific data or numbers provided) for the readers. The statistical evidence also allows the readers to visualize the large extent of this problem. Other than statistical evidence, you can also talk about ethos (which emphasizes ethics and credibility) because the United Nations is a credible established organization. The ethos helps the readers understand this situation from the perspective of the UN. So from my own mini analysis here, you can see that I identified 2 devices from this quote and talked about how the impact of the device on the readers and how it pushes forward the global issue. 

Remember to spend a good amount of time annotating and finding key devices and relevant quotes from both texts!

2. Incorporating a “compare and contrast” section

As mentioned earlier, it is not required to have a compare and contrast part in your oral. However it is highly encouraged and you can sprinkle it throughout your IO, use it as a basis to structure your IO, or mention it along with your conclusion. I personally included compare and contrast bits along with my conclusion. I talked about the difference in point of view, intended audience, and literary devices.

Some basic factors of comparison include the genre of your text, the audience, the purpose, the literary devices, the format, and more. So pick any of these that are meaningful and talk in detail about how they differ between your texts. For example, if the genre of one text is a graphic novel and your other text is an informative column, you can talk about the differences in tone and mood of the language. Do not spend too much time on this part but it is great to include some bits of comparison to develop your analysis!

3. Ending it right!

The conclusion is very important but it is also often the part where students are running short on time. Therefore, it is best to prepare carefully beforehand and have a simple yet effective conclusion. The conclusion should be around 1 minute or less. In this part, summarize your main analysis from each text one at a time. Then combine your analysis within your perfect fit common global issue statement. 

A tip to take your conclusion beyond the requirements is to tie your global issue or contextual background into relevance to the world today. Another tip would be to briefly mention other works by your author if you have not already. For example, if I was analyzing the song “Alright,” by Kendrick Lamar, I could briefly talk about his other songs. I could say something like, “Lamar also draws on his experiences with racism in Compton, California by using anecdotal evidence and taboo language in his other songs like, ‘M.A.A.D city’.” It is a simple but good way to show the examiners that you are well read and versed with the author of your texts. 

Do not forget to clearly summarize all your ideas and finish your oral by restating your theme and global issue statement in more depth and tie it into the effect on the intended audience. 

4. Responding well in the Q&A section

After your 10 minute oral, there is a 5 minute question and answer session with your teacher. This is a part where you can add on to your oral or have a chance to say elements you might have missed. Your teachers will ask you questions based on factors they want you to clarify or develop on. For example, they might ask you, “who would be another target audience for this text?” or “what is the mood of Text A versus Text B?.” 

In my oral, I was asked to highlight another quote from your text that showed the conflict and global issue. I was also asked about the difference in the point of view of the authors of each of the texts.  You may be asked general questions about which author was more effective in their use of stylistic and persuasive devices. Stay calm and answer to the best of your ability!

Final words

I hope you found this article and the previous one helpful! I have full faith in all of you that you will come out successful! Remember to take your time planning and writing out your scripts and outlines. Solid planning and making use of your resources will help you feel confident and well prepared! Talk to your teachers often to be clear on the guidelines and your content. Finally, choose texts you like so you can really enjoy and learn from this assignment! Good luck! 

You may also like…

• Zina’s Why I Took Three Languages in IB
• VY’s Tips for Vietnamese A Literature

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Essay on Kendrick Lamar

Students are often asked to write an essay on Kendrick Lamar in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Kendrick Lamar

Introduction.

Kendrick Lamar is a famous American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California.

Growing up in a troubled neighborhood, Lamar found solace in music. He started writing lyrics at a young age.

Lamar’s career took off with his debut album, “Section.80”. His music is known for its deep lyrics and unique style.

Achievements

Lamar has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys. His album “DAMN.” even won a Pulitzer Prize, a first for a rap album.

Lamar’s music has greatly influenced the rap genre and continues to inspire many young artists.

250 Words Essay on Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar, a name that resonates in the contemporary music industry, is a Grammy-winning American rapper and songwriter. Hailing from Compton, California, Lamar has become a figurehead in the hip-hop genre, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and innovative musical style.

Artistic Evolution

Lamar’s artistic journey began with his debut mixtape which garnered local attention. His subsequent albums like ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,’ ‘To Pimp a Butterfly,’ and ‘DAMN.’ showcase his evolution from a local rapper into a global sensation. Lamar’s music is characterized by its narrative and introspective style, often reflecting on his experiences growing up in a violent neighborhood.

Sociopolitical Commentary

Lamar’s work is not just entertainment; it’s a sociopolitical commentary. He uses his music as a platform to discuss issues such as racial inequality, violence, and the struggles of growing up in impoverished areas. This approach has made him a prominent voice for marginalized communities, earning him widespread respect and recognition.

Legacy and Influence

Lamar’s impact extends beyond his music. He has influenced a generation of artists and listeners, encouraging them to confront societal issues and use their platforms for change. His Pulitzer Prize for ‘DAMN.’ solidified his position as a groundbreaking artist, proving that rap could be as potent and impactful as any other genre.

In conclusion, Kendrick Lamar’s journey, from the streets of Compton to global stardom, is a testament to his talent, resilience, and commitment to social justice. His work continues to inspire, challenge, and revolutionize the music industry.

500 Words Essay on Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, better known as Kendrick Lamar, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer who has changed the landscape of hip-hop with his innovative style and thought-provoking lyrics. His work, marked by its exploration of social, political, and personal themes, has earned him critical acclaim and numerous accolities, including multiple Grammy Awards.

Early Life and Influences

Born in Compton, California, on June 17, 1987, Lamar’s upbringing in one of the most dangerous cities in America heavily influenced his music. The harsh realities of street life, racial inequality, and systemic oppression became recurring themes in his work. Inspired by his idols Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre, Lamar started writing rhymes as a teenager, which led him to a career in music.

Artistic Approach

Lamar’s music is celebrated for its complexity and depth. He often uses his platform to raise awareness about social issues, such as racial injustice, poverty, and violence. His albums, notably “good kid, m.A.A.d city” and “To Pimp a Butterfly,” are conceptually structured, acting as narratives where each song is a chapter contributing to the overall story.

Impact and Recognition

Lamar’s work has had a significant impact on the music industry and society. He has been recognized for his contribution to music and culture, receiving numerous awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018 for his album “DAMN.” This marked the first time a non-classical or jazz work won the award, signifying a shift in the recognition of hip-hop as a legitimate art form.

Lamar’s influence extends beyond music. His lyrics have been analyzed in academic circles, and his albums have been used as teaching tools to discuss race, society, and identity. His commitment to addressing social issues has also led him to become an influential figure in activism.

Kendrick Lamar is more than just a rapper; he is a poet, a storyteller, and a social commentator. His music is a reflection of the world around him, and he uses his platform to shed light on important issues. His influence on the music industry and society as a whole is undeniable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Even If Drake Loses the Kendrick Lamar Battle, Here’s Why He Already Won the War

While Kendrick's verse on Metro Boomin and Future's "Like That" reverberated the hip-hop space, Drake fired back and looks to take control over a war he's probably already won.

By Carl Lamarre

Carl Lamarre

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Drake’s first attempt at fire came on Saturday (Apr. 13), when “Push Ups” arrived via DJ Akademiks, after being initially leaked on the internet. The song starts with a DJ Whoo Kid drop, a call-back to the 2000s mixtape scene, and finds Drake seething. With no remorse, Drake aims at Kendrick’s physical limitations, calling him a “pipsqueak” and claiming he wears a “size 7” shoe. Drake later named Lamar’s wife Whitney in a clever double-entendre while referencing Whitney Houston’s role in the 1992 film The Bodyguard . He even taunts Lamar’s superstar status by saying that SZA, 21 Savage and Travis Scott hold more weight than he currently does in the music business. While “Push Ups” is an excellent first-round crack at Lamar, it won’t be the final blow to what will likely be a long, grueling slugfest.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

That’s not to say Drake is unreachable. In May 2018, Pusha T managed to get his claws deep inside the 6 God and walk away champion in their battle of the words. But, in retrospect, Drake’s star continued to gleam, as he’s scored five No. 1 since – including one right after the feud in that June’s Scorpion , which also included three Hot 100-toppers with “God’s Plan,” “Nice For What” and “In My Feelings.” His tiff with Pusha proved that whatever losses he suffered from the battle had no immediate effect on his commercial prowess.  The phones still still rang, and people clamored for features. The aftershock of the skirmish did very little to kill Drake’s overall momentum. 

Even “Duppy Freestyle,” Drake’s initial burst at Pusha, was a praiseworthy record: Not only did Drake send missiles at Push regarding his skill set (“You’re not even top five as far as your label talent goes”), but he questioned his credibility as an alleged one-time drug lord (“You act like you sold drugs for Escobar in the ‘80s.”) Despite his pop titan status, he proved that he could spar and get down in the trenches when needed. Many forget that Drake is also battle-tested over the course of his career in rap beef: He went head-to-head with Pusha, Meek Mill and Common, while Lamar is entering unfamiliar territory. Battling is playing into Drake’s hands and is his arena, and he thrives when competition arrives at his doorstep. 

On “Push Ups,” Drake notes the challenges he’s facing, aware that he’s outnumbered, rapping: “What the fuck is this, a 20-v-1, n—a?” First, Ross pledged his allegiance to Team Metro & Kendrick when he filmed himself playing “Like That” on social media upon its release. Drake caught wind and fired back on “Push Ups,” rapping: “Can’t believe he jumpin’ in, this n—a turnin’ fifty/ Every song that made it on the chart, he got from Drizzy.” Since then, Ross has issued his shots on “Champagne Moments,” and used social media fodder to call out Drake, whether about his alleged nose job or abs. 

Same with The Weeknd, who got his punches in on Metro and Future’s We Still Don’t Trust You, singing on “All To Myself”: “They could never diss my brothers, baby/ When they got leaks in they operation/ I thank God that I never signed my life away/ And we never do the big talk/ They shooters makin’ TikToks.” As for Rocky, he dished out his subliminals on “Show of Hands,” where he boasted about allegedly taking Rihanna away from Drake: “N—as in they feelings over women, what, you hurt or somethin”/ I smash before you birthed, son, Flacko hit it first, son.”

Now, knowing that Lamar and friends are rallying together to attack Drake, this earns him a rare amount of public sympathy and makes him look like the underdog for the first time in well over a decade – even though he’s still the biggest star in the entire battle. And if he loses, people will go back to the fact that it took everyone to take down Drake, a la Avengers: Endgame , when an army of superheroes was needed to defeat Thanos. 

In reality, the biggest trump card Drake holds is that he’s already gifted each of his foes a key early win in some form. He brought Kendrick and Rocky on tour with him for his Club Paradise Tour in 2012. Ross’ highest-charting records on the Hot 100 came courtesy of a Drake feature. Even Future received the Drake stimulus package at the start of his career when Drizzy hopped on the “Tony Montana (Remix),” while Metro’s first two top 20 Hot 100 records had Drake featured on the songs (“Tuesday” and “Jumpman”). As for The Weeknd, Drake featured him on Take Care , where he brought him into a bigger audience with songs like “Crew Love,” “Over My Dead Body,” and “The Ride.” Hence, Drake can argue that any win for Team Kendrick is also a win for him, since none of these guys would likely be at the levels they currently are if not for his early assists. 

The wrestling world has a new champ, but hip-hop’s own title belt is unlikely to change hands anytime soon. While Roman’s empire ended at WrestleMania XL, it’s safe to say Drake’s story will continue on well after his hip-hop civil war.

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