ENG210 Advanced Composition

  Blacker the berry:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdPtVZDspIY Lyrics:  https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-the-blacker-the-berry-lyrics   Alright:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-48u_uWMHY Lyrics:  https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-alright-lyrics The style of Kendrick Lamar is a complex and conflicting one, and he is also highly aware of the conflicts that he and the rest of society face. In his songs, he goes back and forth between confidence and doubt mainly self doubt, leadership and self-blame, and this demonstrates that his mind is never focused on one particular thing. In “Alright,” he is optimistic and hopeful, singing “We gon' be alright,” and this shows that his mind is focused on getting through the struggle that he and the rest of the black community face. However, in “The Blacker the Berry,” he also shows that he is a complex and conflicting person, singing “I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015,” and this shows that his mind is also focused on...

Noname Links: Rainforest Lyrics and Audio Song 33 Lyrics and Audio   Question: How does Noname use different lyrical styles in “Rainforest” and “Song 33” to criticize systems of power and injustice? Answer:      “Rainforest” is very poetic, using a mixture of repetition, metaphors and tone shifts to criticize systems of power like capitalism and police control. She uses the repetition of the chorus to highlight a contradiction. When she says, “How you make excuses for billionaires, you broke on the bus?” (Rainforest), she highlights the contradiction of working class individuals supporting the very systems that contribute to their economic instabilities. In the lyrics “How you get closer to love?” and “I just wanna dance tonight” (Rainforest), she’s questioning how to find love and meaning in a broken system and she repeats the desire to dance, which symbolizes escape. She also uses the metaphor of a “rainforest cries” to suggest that the exploitation of the e...

Nas "I Gave You Power"  Lyrics:  https://genius.com/Nas-i-gave-you-power-lyrics Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG64AlNgjF0 "Rule" Lyrics:  https://genius.com/Nas-rule-lyrics Audio:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpPHRIWxaKs Question: How do “Rule” and “I Gave You Power” by Nas explore power and control and reveal different forms of violence? In “I Gave You Power,” Nas personifies a handgun to narrate a cycle of violence it fuels. The main theme of the song revolves around how the gun is simply a vessel of human intent. The gun by itself holds no power, no intentions, and cannot act independently; the power of a gun is only granted once someone is in control of it. From the perspective of the gun, Nas states, “Making me kill, but what I feel, it never mattered,” (“I Gave You Power”). This highlights how the gun is only a tool for direct violence, while the person in control determines how it is used. It is not the gun that chooses to kill, it is the person ...

  Mr. Worldwide - Pitbull Pitbull, Ne-Yo - Time Of Our Lives (Lyrics) ‪Pitbull‬ - Give Me Everything (Lyrics) ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer Question:   In both Time of Our Lives and Give Me Everything, Pitbull talks about living for the moment even when things are not perfect. Do you think his message is about being irresponsible with money and time, or is he saying that being happy is more important than being stressed about bills? Answer: In the song " Time of Our Lives ", Pitbull starts by saying that his rent is late and he is worried about money. This is a very real problem that many people face every day. Instead of making a sad song, he decides to go out and have a good time anyway. This shows a big contradiction in the lyrics. He is spending money at a club when he should be paying his landlord. However, he seems to believe that his mental health and his friendships are worth more than a bill for one night. He uses the song to show that we all need a break from our p...

 Jhene Aiko  Lyrics:  Jhené Aiko - Stranger (lyrics) Jhene Aiko - Stay Ready (What A Life) ft. Kendrick Lamar (Lyrics) Question:  How do the songs “Stranger” and “Stay Ready (What a Life)” by Jhené Aiko explore themes of emotional distance and self-discovery, and how does the speaker’s voice explore different stages of personal growth? Answer: In “Stranger,” Jhené Aiko describes the feeling of becoming emotionally distant from someone she once felt close to. The speaker reflects on how relationships can change over time and how people who once felt familiar can eventually feel like strangers. The tone of the song feels calm but also reflective, expressing that the speaker has accepted the change even though it may still hurt. Imagery in the song focuses on emotional separation and the realization that two people can grow apart even if they once shared a strong connection. Jhene Aiko seems to be observing the situation rather than reacting with anger, which shows matu...

Beyoncé--The global superstar Here are the lyrics to  Beyoncé's song "Ameriican Requiem" alongside a video of her singing Here are the lyrics to  Beyoncé's song "Freedom" alongside a video of her singing Question: In “Freedom” and “American Requiem,” how does Beyoncé use powerful imagery and repeated phrases to talk about struggle, identity, and freedom in America?  Answer: In “Freedom” Beyoncé uses powerful imagery and repetition to show the struggle to achieve freedom and overcome oppression. She uses imagery of storms, water, and movement to represent perseverance, like when she says “I’ma walk, I’ma march on the regular” and “I break chains all by myself” (“Freedom”). These lines show that she has determination even when facing obstacles and that she refuses to let any outside forces stop her from pushing forward. The storm imagery at the beginning, such as “Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder / Tell the storm I’m new” suggests that even when challen...

 Noah Kahan Lyrics: Everywhere, Everything Maine Question: How does Noah Kahan use references to places and nature in “Everywhere, Everything” and “Maine” to express feelings about love, memory, and identity? Answer:       In “Everywhere, Everything” and “Maine,” Noah Kahan uses references to places and the natural world to show how deeply connected emotions can be to physical locations. In “Maine,” the setting plays a very important role because the state itself becomes a symbol of home, nostalgia, and personal identity. The lyrics suggest that Maine represents where the speaker feels most authentic and emotionally grounded. The natural imagery in the song reflects a sense of quiet reflection and longing, which makes the listener feel the weight of memory and personal history. In contrast, “Everywhere, Everything” focuses more on the idea that love can exist anywhere, even if the world feels uncertain or temporary. The song includes imagery about the world...

Willie Nelson Lyrics: Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other Whatever Happened it Peace on Earth Question:   How do the lyrics in Willie Nelson’s song show examples of southern culture?  Answer: Willie Nelson has never been afraid to speak what he truly believes either through music or interviews. Considering that his genre of music is country, his song, “Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other” was a surprise to many of his fans. It holds powerful messages throughout the song. His lyric, “And a small town don't like it when somebody falls between sexes” (Nelson). This helps to highlight the clear homophobia that runs strong in “small towns”. This line also demonstrates his upbringing in Texas. Although a small town is not an exclusive phrase to southern states, it's highly rooted in southern culture for a few reasons, primarily agriculture and geography. Later in the song he states, “But the ones who brag loudest are the ones that are most likely queer”...