Opening up frontiers through music: exploring narratives of identity, prophethood, father figure and trauma in Kendrick Lamar's Mr Morale and The Big Steppers

Abstract

[Abstract] Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers is Kendrick Lamar's latest album, which, to date, has not been the subject of scholarly analysis. The aim is to investigate his narrative throughout his work in relation to issues such as the questioning of material wealth and the exploitation of African-American culture within the Hip Hop genre. In addition, religion is examined, analysing how the artist approaches and is influenced by religion to represent both social and personal issues. African American masculinity and the formation of African American masculinity is also examined, along with the influence of Gangsta Rap and its limitation of masculinity in the African American community. Finally, trauma in Lamar´s narrative is explored, as well as sexual violence and the influence of slavery on the African American community in the presen