A review by sodrewrites
Promise That You Will Sing about Me: The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar by Miles Marshall Lewis, Miles Marshall Lewis

4.0

Reading "Promise That You Will Sing About Me" by Miles Marshall Lewis is an experience, I tell you. Not only does Lewis give critical, well-researched analysis of Kendrick's body of work, he gives a glimpse into the life of Kendrick by way of his environment, musical influences, and the time period that shaped him. Musical ethnography of one of my favorite rappers is a treat in the way that it feels as though you are front + center of a hip-hop seminar and this curriculum covers Kendrick. There is no stone left unturned as Miles discusses Kendrick Lamar the artist: from his unique style and flow, on down to the competitive energy that tethers Kendrick to the likes of rapper Drake.

The author masterfully weaves his own personal experiences into the mix-- where he was and what he was doing when something specific happened in the country. And what Kendrick might have also been experiencing, using his age, environment, and lyrics for reference. In reading, I was blown away by how well-researched everything was. However, there were times when I felt the author led me down a rabbit hole of information I had a hard time crawling out of!

Any true student of hip hop will appreciate this read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC and St. Martin's Press for the physical ARC of "Promise You Will Sing About Me" in exchange for an honest review.