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Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

January 19, 2023

Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

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Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

January 19, 2023

Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

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Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

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Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

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Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

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Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

December 7, 2022

Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

October 4, 2022

In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

October 5, 2022

Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

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Phoebe Bridgers: A Deep Dive into Songwriting

October 17, 2022

Phoebe Bridgers is an American songwriter, singer, and producer who has, in recent years, gained mainstream recognition with the release of her sophomore album “Punisher” in 2020...

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How Steve Lacy Makes the Most with Less

October 18, 2022

Steve Lacy is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and living proof that you don’t need the most advanced or high-tech studio equipment to create music that listeners will love...

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Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Live Music?

August 31, 2022

For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals........

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Like the Early Days of Hip-Hop: The Future of Blockchain in the Music Industry

August 19, 2022

One of the biggest questions many spaces face today is how blockchain technology may overhaul industry norms, and the music industry is no exception. In particular...

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Kendrick Lamar - A Modern Musical Genius

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Pitchfork

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern music, Kendrick Lamar stands out as a true musical genius. With a unique blend of deep and meaningful lyrics, masterful storytelling, and innovative production, Kendrick has become one of his generation's most influential and critically acclaimed artists. His impact on hip-hop and beyond is undeniable, making him a cultural icon for a new era.

Born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth grew up in a neighborhood infused with gang violence and social struggles. Nonetheless, he found peace in creating music early, and his talent quickly began to shine. Kendrick was influenced by many artists such as Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and other legendary hip-hop artists.

He released his debut album titled “Section.80” on July 2nd, 2011. This project received a lot of positive recognition from listeners and other big hip-hop artists. Kendrick’s lyrical ability and his thought-provoking content became evident as he dove into subjects such as racial inequality, self-discovery, and the struggles of the modern African-American community.  It would be his next album “good kid, m.A.A.d City” that would encapsulate Kendrick as a mainstream artist. This project contained songs such as “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe”, which are the most popular songs on the album, with both of them being worldwide hits.

He continued to release albums such as “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015, and “DAMN.” in 2017. “DAMN.” included songs such as “DNA” and “HUMBLE” that solidified Kendricks's place in the music industry. These albums put Kendrick in a place where people started to include his name in the debate of which rapper is the greatest of all time. In 2018 he released an album for the Black Panther movie, which had contributions from many artists such as SZA, Future, and Travis Scott. He proceeded to go on a hiatus from releasing music for 4 years, which left everyone wondering what happened to Kendrick, and if and when he would release new music.

Kendrick returned from his break by releasing “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” after years of speculation and anticipation. As with many of Lamar's projects, it is clear that there is a deeper meaning behind the title, and fans are eager to delve into the themes and narratives explored throughout the album.

This most recent album solidified Kendrick Lamar as a legend in the rap game as he has proven that he can go years without releasing music, and as soon as he does, listeners are ready to see what he has up his sleeve.