Kendrick Lamar has recently been the subject of much discussion, notably due to his ongoing rivalry with Drake. However, this week, it’s his “Squabble Up” music video that has caught the attention of fans.
In the video, Lamar chose to feature plus-size, dark-skinned women, moving away from traditional European beauty standards often seen in music videos. Fans expressed their appreciation for this representation. One Twitter user, @AvgKdotEnjoyer, shared, “You can call me ‘too woke,’ but seeing those beautiful plus-size women dancing and enjoying themselves in the video made me so happy.”
Another fan, @lakerboi_JayBig, praised the video, saying, “It’s beautiful to see, and they’re doing their thing, but of course, there are always some miserable haters. Overall, top tier, 10/10.”
However, some critics took issue with Lamar’s personal life, particularly his marriage to a light-skinned, petite woman, which led to accusations of hypocrisy. One user, @BoujeeNBanjee, remarked, “This man married the lightest, brightest, skinniest woman he could find. He rarely does anything for the black community or Compton. At what point do you realize what he does is performative?”
Some fans also criticized Lamar for using the struggles of Black Americans in his music, labeling it as exploitation of trauma. One user, @ronniefrom38th, commented, “Three big backs patting their heads, a dude getting attacked by a pit bull, a little black boy sitting in a corner, and a bouncing car. This man profits off trauma and stereotypes.”
Meanwhile, American singer Chloe Bailey reminisced about her deep admiration for Lamar, sharing that she had a “Kendrick phase” years ago. “I didn’t just jump on the Kendrick train. Eight years ago, I was convinced I was going to be with him. I’ve been a die-hard fan since ‘Section 80,’ even before that,” she said.
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