Analysis: 'To Pimp A Butterfly By Kendrick Butterfly'

Self-doubt Expressed through Personification

Using Kendrick Lamar’s newest album “To Pimp a Butterfly”, we are exposed to self doubt through personification. We are shown prime examples of this theme throughout the album, but most evidently in “Mortal Man”, “Institutionalized”, and “Wesley’s Theory”. In “Mortal Man” we have a very laid back beat discussing how Kendrick has amassed this great following, but wonders if they’ll stay loyal no matter what happens. We see self-doubt being shown many times throughout the song with the bridge being “When the shit hits the fan, is you still a fan?”. We also have a poem spoken by Kendrick where he discusses his self-doubt and depression about making it out of the ghetto. In “Mortal Man” the outro has a powerful poem of a caterpillar …show more content…
In “Institutionalized” we are shown self doubt through Kendrick mimicking one of his friends from back home. Kendrick’s friend describes how hard it is for him to be around all of this wealth and “walking licks” or someone to steal from. Finally in “Wesley’s Theory” we are exposed to self-doubt through the first song of album in which Kendrick discusses how fame and fortune can distract artists from what they stand for. Throughout the hooks in the song Kendrick personifies rap as a girl that he used to “fuck” with but has caused him many problems and he wonders if he can love “her” again and do good by her.
With the last song in the album, “Mortal Man” has much self-doubt shown by Kendrick Lamar about if he is able to do great through rapping and if his followers will stay by his side no