We’ve all been waiting for this one. Although music critics (self-proclaimed or otherwise) have been trying to label Kendrick Lamar’s latest release To Pimp A Butterfly as a “classic,” the album is more of a thinker than a club banger. Kendrick brought funk and soul back into hip-hop with this project, and his lyrics and ideas are the most provocative and talked about since, well, his last album, but TPAB doesn’t really have tracks a DJ can play to hype up a party crowd. “Alright” is a notable exception. Especially amongst the album’s relevant, yet almost somber themes, “Alright” is an oasis of light, hope and dope beats. The black and white visuals to go along with this already beloved track were teased for weeks and finally released today. Striking images of Kendrick’s city, good and bad, are shown to reiterate the ideas of the song: bad things happen that we can’t control, but we’ll be alright. “We hate po’ po'” is acted out with the constant threat of police violence, but Kendrick also highlighted his smiling fellow Black Hippy members, classic images of hip-hop in its purest form, and members of his community just singing along and having a good time. Watch below.
