The shear bravery to create something your core fanbase hasn’t heard from you is to be commended. I grow a deeper appreciation for artists who able to evolve their sound and still execute at the high standards they’ve set for themselves. Artists who are not one dimensional in their approach to music, who keep their listeners anticipating something new from them.
I can’t imagine what a Kendrick album would sound like if it was released tomorrow but I’m still confident enough to expect quality even with a change of sound. The distinct difference in sound from Good Kid M.A.A.D City and To Pimp A Butterfly is what makes these albums even more special. [GKMC is appreciated by enough straight cap and Timberland-wearing New York OG’s to make it a certified classic] Kendrick could’ve easily given us a Good Kid M.A.A.D City Part II and stayed in the comfort zone that that project created for him [btw my stomach turns at the memory of the rumours of Take Care Part II]. He stepped away from what earned him the critical acclaim, he kept the elements that make him special and he applied them to a different soundscape. Ditching West Coast adjacent beats to pick up jazz and soul instrumentals. Yeah many are more than capable of doing that but they end up being ignored for something more relevant to the current climate. Kendrick Lamar’s TPAB was seen as a trailblazer the time it was released, unique for the era it was released in.
“What if Kanye made a song about Kanye called ‘I Miss The Old Kanye’?”
Kanye West’s career is identified by collage of genius painted from music ranging wide on the soundscape. Having been known for being a producer in his early days, most laughing at the idea of him being in front of the mic, Kanye has proven that he cannot be boxed into a singular creative identity. It would have been absurd to expect a Yeezus type of album when he first released The College Dropout. I find it strange when people pin his creativity to “the old Kanye”, when they can appreciate his evolution after that era. Imagine not getting Watch The Throne because people want a 2013 version of Late Registration. We all go through phases of growth and gain a new perception of life, Kanye West chooses to let that show in his music; we’ve seen him go from a college dropout to graduating into being a music legend. He lets life mould what he creates when many resist the winds of change.
“You was Easy Mac with the cheesy raps, who’s Mac Miller?”
When it comes to output and elevating standards with each project, very few can be named alongside Mac Miller. Growing from being a teenager with cheesy raps and witty wordplay to experimenting with abstract beats and contemplative lyrics to being gripped by the feeling of love; we’ve seen someone go through the motion of life’s ups and downs through Mac’s music. Throughout Mac Miller’s musical journey he’s been able to keep his core fans even with the variety of sounds he’s experimented with. Mac had years of music ahead of him and we’ll never know of the wonders that would have blessed our ears. From the articles I’ve read I know that Mac was hungry for knowledge, he was always keen to learn and that tells in his music. RIP Mac Miller.
Some artists can easily “stay in their lane” changing nothing significant and still produce quality, those artists are to be celebrated too don’t get me wrong but artists who trust themselves enough to try different sounds hold a special place in my heart. I could’ve easily typed a whole article on Outkast but I’ll let Ngcebo be in his bag.