In 1997 JAY-Z’ ‘Where I’m From’ video, shot outside of his home in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, NY, focused on the tough nature of living in project housing in the 90’s. Eighteen years later in 2015 Kendrick Lamar released the video “King Kunta” which details his life in Compton after he began to have commercial success. These videos are very similar in the way they both portray the difficulties of what life is like growing up in their cities. Both videos contain imagery of their city along with members of the community. They also both contain lyrics about being the best rapper and they use flow changes in their delivery to change up the mood of the song. JAY-Z’ video ‘Where I’m From’ inspired Kendrick Lamar and other artists to discuss where they came from in their music. 

 

 

 

Despite the harshness of his living situation JAY-Z reiterates a certain pride he has in his roots while also calling attention to what is wrong with the neighborhood.

 

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This narrative and execution of this music video would eventually help inspire other artists such as Kendrick Lamar to discuss the toughness of their upbringings, while also paying homage to their cities such as Compton, CA 

 

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Throughout the rest of this research process I am looking to find out the effect that these artists had on their respective communities, politically, socially, and musically by way of discussing the hardships that they lived through, while at the same time honoring the cities they group up in.

 

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Kendrick Lamar, who grew up in Compton, CA, was also inspired by JAY-Z’ ‘Where I’m From’ video, in that he very frequently discusses his upbringing in the city. In one of my sources, titled “The Trials of Kendrick Lamar,” published in Rolling Stone magazine, it discusses how Kendrick grew up during the time of the LA Riots, and how his father often looted items from stores. In the song “Compton” off of Kendrick Lamar’s album ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city,’ he talks about the rampant drug use and crime in the city. Although he discusses those subjects, the hook of the song is written as “Compton, Compton, ain’t no city quite like mine” here, Kendrick is showing the pride he has for his city despite all of its flaws.

 

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