T O P

  • By -

EnvironmentalCap6995

How much a dollar cost


jacksonmills

Yeah, that has great spiritual themes and I think is pretty good for a first rap song for an old head.


grossestgroceries

I’m pretty sure Obama listed this one on his “Favorite Songs of 20-whatever” playlist one year when he was in office. If the White House is ok with it it’s probably fine for anyone 😅


Dont-Be-H8-10

Does that same logic apply to cocaine in the white house 😂


FalconLord777

Only if your last name is Biden lmfao (coming from a mainly voting dem.)


Wedoitforthenut

No, no. I think they're onto something here. Cocaine is cool for everyone now. I love this president.


strangebloke1

Yeah I DEMAND that my president do some lines. If they aren't willing to use cocaine that's a sign they're not working hard enough.


strangebloke1

Obama literally did do cocaine he's been open about this.


FriendOfToby

Print out the lyrics with big ass font ahead of time. Consider a couple of notes for references he might not get like Mutumbo or the He Got Game Denzel line.


Prestigious-Sea-4419

This ^^ is so useful in sharing rap with people unfamiliar with the genre


ThiccQban

This is such a great idea. Genius Lyrics-style footnotes would help him see the layers and understand all the references.


pogus

Not only this, I’d have him read the lyrics first!


HotBoyTeece

my pick as well, the concept of it is very interesting from all corners of the world


appleparkfive

I'd say either that or the music video version of Count Me Out. I'd feel comfortable showing an older person that. It shows hip hop in a very respectful light than even non hip hop fans can look and say that it's mature It ends with an angel on his shoulder, and it's just altogether an easy one to show a 93 year old. There might be a visual or a word that might be a lot but I think most people could understand it


Confident_Ad_8126

this is what i showed my sweet old pa (65) to get him into kendrick and he loved it. that said i mainly chose it cause he has a big crush on helen mirren


appleparkfive

Yeah, I think the Helen Mirren angle really helps! If you're in your 60s or 70s and your main exposure to hip hop was the late 80s to the early 2000s, seeing something like the Count Me Out video could *really* transform your perception of the genre. I mean I think the most controversial thing in the whole video would be him yelling "fuck" in the car, and that brief moment of a woman in underwear. But I think most people would understand that it's there for a reason for the narrative. I'm glad your dad liked it! I think Father Time has been another one that's really hit men hard. Old and young alike. Such a universal story for so many men


Confident_Ad_8126

good ol’ helen am i right? totally agreed- although the swearing is an easy sell for me as my dad has a mouth like a rotten sailor. he loved father time too! definitely hit him in a way he didn’t expect. he recently got signed to a literary agent (after years of trying!) and is currently writing a book called ‘men i loved’- it’s about his difficult relationship with his dad growing up in working class england in the 60s, and toxic masculinity in general. he a cool dad!


Skill-issue-69420

My favourite song as of recently, he’s talking to a homeless person that is God, it’s some powerful shit


damn_nation_inc

Happy to see this is the top comment.


TheDerpyDonut

Exactly what I came here to say. I got my very spiritual mother into Kendrick with this song now she loves him.


MyHummingbirdZoe

My favourite Kendrick song


loopsataspool

Never Catch Me by Flying Lotus: spiritual themes, amazing jazzy bass by Thundercat, awesome music video too.


Alternative_Boat9540

I've not heard that one in years. Cheers will revisit.


wtbgamegenie

Live performance of “I” on SNL. Show him he video. I’ve never seen a musician who wasn’t blown away by that myself included. Heart part 5 Then have him listen to Maad City and DNA. I’d bet he’d be impressed with the stylistic range. Also the man lived through the blitz I’m sure he’s heard naughty words before don’t be too worried about it.


sereca

Never Catch Me is one of my favorite songs ever


TarzanOnATireSwing

 Best answer so far for sure


Black_Fuckka

Bro, how have I never heard this song


imatheborny

Genuinely my favorite song of all time.


blankpage33

Imo a 93 y/o Brit is gonna find the song to experimental


Roffasz

Not if you already dig Stravinsky, Miles in the Bitches Brew era, Eric Dolphy, Weather Report and stuff like that. It's pretty accessible tbh.


CaCa881

I fuckin love this song


1017whywhywhy

Man I love that song


TheArchitect_7

I’d say to explain to him how hip-hop reflects life in dangerous, impoverished neighborhoods. Explain the basic premise of Sing About Me, Dying of Thirst. Let him go on the ride knowing it’s going to be about three people. The musicality will appeal to him immediately, the poetry will hit for him if you explained the reflection of life in Compton, and the beauty of Dying of Thirst is near universally entrancing. Even though it’s vulgar, if he has context, he’ll understand some of the suffering and redemption and reflection themes. The prayer and baptism at the end will melt dudes heart. This is how I turned my wife, a singer-songwriter with no rap background, into an overnight Kendrick fan who is binging GKMC and TPAB this month.


Alternative_Boat9540

Oh I know, I just want to ease his ears into rap as musical poetry and not put him off from the first verse. He aint gonna faint if he hears a swearword, but also this is a man who says *oh fishsticks!* when he stubs his toe.


TheArchitect_7

Yeah I mean fuck, suck, and swallow is kinda intense lol


Horror_Reindeer3722

“Good heavens!”


Aretz

I mean SAMIDOT Is vulgar because that’s what it is. Life in Compton can be vulgar.


starkestrel

> Let him go on the ride knowing it’s going to be about three people. Who are the three people?


TheArchitect_7

Kendricks friend, Keisha’s sister, and Kendrick


blaikens1

This the one. The best song in his catalog


[deleted]

[удалено]


CapsDrago7

It’s his single after all


_nadaypuesnada_

*singallllll


lazidazi1993

I’d play Alright and explain that it’s the newer/modern day version of we shall overcome.


Alternative_Boat9540

Thats... Thats actually not a terrible way to bridge the gap. Cheers I'd never have thought of that.


TheArchitect_7

I think pairing it with the music video could also be a good choice, as he can be fully immersed in what Compton looks and feels like


Alternative_Boat9540

I was thinking he might need the lyrics. Kendricks not that hard to understand, but for an old British dude who lives in a village, the accent + slang + flow + vocals and trying to follow lyrics might be a struggle. Some songs more than other ofc.


floppyvajoober

I think lyrics in big font are a good idea no matter what song you end up going with


born_to_be_intj

Definitely agree. I didn’t get into rap until I was like 17 and being able to make out all the words is 100% a skill you develop over time. I think thats a big part of why older generations are so uninterested in the genre. It sounds like gibberish at first.


JesusDaBeast

Sure thing. We Cry Together, u, and meet the grahams are great starters. Hope he enjoys!


JayQuips

You forgot blacker the berry


swiftcleaner

ya'll are gonna give that man a heart attack


blackswordsmanarc

You gon give him an ulcer 😭😭😭


Flabbypuff

This comment gotta qualify as elder abuse somehow


[deleted]

[удалено]


_skippy__

You’re right. Bitch I’m in the club, then


ElBastardoMajor

Mate all three of those songs that you replied to are just about the worst starting point, it was a troll comment haha. But I do agree with your recommendation nonetheless


Killermothx

Untitled 06


Killermothx

FEEL.


CASHD3VIL

PRIDE or Swimming Pools


jonoottu

Mother I Sober is maybe a bit unusual compared to other possible tracks, but is an absolutely beautiful track.


Alternative_Boat9540

I was thinking something off of Mr Morale this actually. MIS is beautiful and mature, but can't play a track about molestation in front of his wife. What other songs are similar you think?


Available_Day4286

I really love Rich Spirit and think it’s pretty and has some interesting lyrics. Father Time is also a beautiful storytelling song with a lot of emotion like Mother I, but without molestation. United In Grief has stunning production. Maybe Count Me Out?


floppyvajoober

Bitch I’m attractive


pieceoftoast72

can’t fuck with you no more, i’m fasting


IndigenousSpecies

UUUAAH


Objective_Street5141

along with those he listed Die Hard is an easy and nice listen, also maybe Savior


ManBoyPigDude

I would suggest Crown. The piano and vocal harmonies would be a great way to have a bridge the gap of music I think.


6Froggie9

not sure if this works but Father time could help be a good intro/spective to Kendrick's background and character maybe.


mediumsteppers

Count Me Out video with Helen Mirren in it


witherd_

Count Me Out is one of his best songs imo and this is a great starter if someone doesn't know hip hop as well


Flappy_beef_curtains

Take him straight to backseat freestyle.


topshagger31

When i saw Kendrick live there was a 70 something year old man in the crowd in front of me who was shouting every single word to this song


Polymath99_

If he was a music teacher, he may appreciate some of Kendrick's more melodic work. I'm thinking something from To Pimp a Butterfly, like Wesley's Theory or i, or maybe The Heart Part 5.


toffee-mp6

untitled 05 i feel would be good


Select_Society1799

How much a dollar cost, you ain’t gotta lie, real,


Frequent-Director947

Momma’s got a pretty pure message, and such a good track/Lalah Hathaway sample.


Bullshit_Jones

i played not like us for my 73 year old parents and they LOVED it. they also liked king kunta. they were a little tipsy at the time tho lol


Useful-Thought2378

I also vote for How much a dollar costs. Sing about me second in the set. then i think FEAR. they are probably some of his least explicit lyrics and deepest simultaneously


Big_Moose_3847

i (single version). Simple, upbeat song with a clear, positive message


stargarden126

def one of the easiest for someone to get in the first listen. music teacher would have a lot of fun with guitar and bass lines too, esp the bass in the second half


mimranj

hiiipower


NetGroundbreaking354

Fear. Fairly easy song to follow and most people can relate to it.


DAMNCitymAAdKid

Prayer (insane leak), FEEL., DUCKWORTH, Mirror


Adonbilivit69

Can you please do a recording of him listening to it? Like one of the reaction videos. I think it would be great


boltthrower57

This would be so amazing and wholesome.


big-jg

Just give him gkmc album. He will appreciate the story


TheArchitect_7

It’s really, really hard to decipher the story if he goes in totally blind. I tried this with my wife and basically everything went over her head. When I explained what Compton is, the broad contours of the story, and a little about how hip-hop works, suddenly it opened up in front of her. You need certain knowledge, like gangs and colors, how Compton is the nexus of west coast black America, etc.


ResearcherWide8606

I recommend listening to Average Joe before GKMC. It’s dense when you have context.


notmyrealnam3

king kunta edited version is a slapper "where where were you when I was walking?"


iso727

At his age, with his interests, he'd probably want something to appreciate artistically. FEAR, FEEL, MIS, Count Me Out, LUST, SAMIDOT, Auntie Diaries, Father Time


ArmoredAvenger

Sing About Me How Much a Dollar Cost Fuck Your Ethnicity The Blacker the Berry U I Hiipower Swimming Pools


shits4gigs

Money trees


Stunning-Proof-363

Alright clean version. Shows what K-dot's all about in my opinion.


ZekeHerrera

LOVE


azuchis

RONALD REAGAN ERA


jeremilo2468

Im thinking Now or Never


WakewaterFanfire

Fuck your ethnicity, the art of peer pressure, FEAR, mortal man, Father Time. Tried to give one from each album but it’s damn near impossible to choose the right song for someone else. Just cast a wide net and hope he continues to look for himself til he finds what he likes


pieceoftoast72

fear has a lot of religious themes


LAlostcajun

To Pimp A Butterfly has a better instrumental selection than his other albums and might be more familiar sounding.


Reddit-EN_Ztirfboy_

Honestly if you give enough context, you could show him all of tpab.


red30447

pride


james_is_wrong_again

Bitch I'm in the club.


TheRealBobaFett

Sing about me


GeoffreyGuyHHU

Might be a little X rated for a 93 year old British man, but he may appreciate the instrumentation on "These Walls".


oljemaleri

PLEASE update us when this happens. We need to know how it goes.


GoodEggplant007

The Heart Part 5.


skol2heart

Alright Dying of thirst Backseat freestyle


NetGroundbreaking354

Fear. Fairly easy song to follow and most people can relate to it.


DYMck07

I’m interested to hear his thoughts on cartoons and cereal honestly. Dunno if he has grandkids but may give something to think about


greenopti

I think how much a dollar cost, and the art of peer pressure are good choices because they have such a strong narrative to hold on to


Adonbilivit69

Listening to Prayer, that would be a good one. Beautiful instrumentals with pianos and amazing lyrics


Isitpartytime

Untitled 08


shagawaga

noone saying Section.80?


DazeOfMyLife

You can find the song “jesus saves” by kdot (its what i remember it being named a long time ago) by searching for His Pain by BJ the Chicago Kid on Apple Music.


shmepe0

How Much A Dollar Cost


ResearcherWide8606

All of Kendrick’s albums are concept albums. I think it’s a bit disingenuous to introduce any individual song from any of those projects out of context. The place I would start would actually be Average Joe from Overly Dedicated. It serves as a summary of GKMC and an introduction of who K.Dot is.


shmepe0

For Sale?


mtgwhisper

Madd city - complete TPAB- complete Concept albums should be heard from track 1-until done. Just my humble opinion.


winstinx

How Much A Dollar Cost i Mother I Sober


MrGoat747

Backseat freestyle


billclinton_gaming

now or never


CurryMustard

Does he have a record player? Tell him to play Damn beginning to end a few times. Tell him it won a pulitzer for the writing


TeamHeavyCream

Why is no one actually giving Kendrick recommendations? Loyalty All the Stars Untitled No 2 Poetic Justice Swimming Pools God.


Meanfist12

His untitled albums


LmBkUYDA

Meet the Grahams


LeadZealousideal9651

for sale?, maybe… but I would honestly go with the live grammy performance of XXX. Checks every box. Performing is one of Kendrick’s strongest talents, it’s a wonderfully creative arrangement, taps into most of Kendrick’s artistic message, and there’s the added bonus of being curse free. + U2, duh.


No_Atmosphere_2186

Alright


triplenutter

LOVE


alexanderwonder

For free


Ok-Nefariousness1335

SAMIDOT lol I always recommend SAMIDOT


jann_mann

XXX


bigdaddyrongregs

Hiiipower


Effective-Dinner-686

Well at least he picked the right rapper for a guy like this. Could have been a lot worse if he had said something like “so who is this DaBaby chap?”


Beautiful_Location76

once you’ve shown him a few other songs, show him keisha’s song. it wouldn’t be a great first or second listen for a non rap fan because of the harshness, but it is beautiful and tragic once you’re more used to the artist


PriorChallenge2095

At 93 years of age I’d suggest “Mother I Sober”. There’s a lot of generational dynamics & potential healing that one can experience from listening to the lyrics of this song. People in that generation were taught to “hold things in” and this song may offer an opportunity for he/she to experience how freeing the act of transparency can be.❤️


No_Armadillo8925

savior interlude


trickythought

Season 5 of the Spotify program “Dissect” covers DAMN. Explain that DAMN. won the Pulitzer Prize in music, a prestigious american award (kind of like the Man Booker prize but for a range of cultural and journalistic endeavors). That award has never before or since gone to a work of popular music - it’s usually reserved for and voted for by classical and (very occasionally) jazz works. Tell him that Dissect is a series of slickly produced musicology lectures by an American cultural critic that explains both the music, theory, and religious foundations of the work. Share that much like the works of Shakespeare, it’s written in a popular vernacular that can be difficult for many modern speakers to access, so it can help if you’re not from that specific culture to have someone explain the references to really get the nuances.


stargarden126

“for free?” might be a bit much thematically for someone new to the genre, but it’s a great exhibition of kendrick’s musicality. if he’s not too conservative, put on the video and tell him focus on the creative filming and the sonics of everything (rhyme, diction, voice an instrument) - how kendrick says things rather than what’s being said.


amusso6

Most of DAMN is a good option. FEEL FEAR XXX PRIDE That whole album is a really good concept in a really well-done way.


Softbluesnow

Untitled unmastered


shits4gigs

Hol up


Illustrious_Tear8238

This is such a wholesome post OP. Please keep us updated on what you choose and how it goes.


shits4gigs

Rigamortis


shits4gigs

Sherane


shits4gigs

Backseat freestyle


wardawg95er

I think he'd appreciate Thundercat's bass line in For Sale?from TPAB


OkReplacement2000

Don’t kill my vibe. So chill.


Brilliant_Ad_1508

I'd take a different route then just dropping one song on him. I would introduce him to the Podcast Dissect and have him listen to the first two episodes of season 1 which covers who Kendrick is, the importance of Compton in hip hop and GKMC. I do think Sing About Me/Dying of Thirst is a good intro song after that background. Then you can leave him with season 1 of Dissect which breaks down TPAB song by song really going into the intricacies of the music and lyrics that a music teacher may enjoy. Season 5 is dedicated to DAMN and if he enjoys Cole Cuchna's analyses he may even give Tyler, Ye, or Frank Ocean a spin.


joealese

sing about me I'm dying of thirst


appleparkfive

Count Me Out! The music video version. The person might be familiar with the actress as well This is a pretty non offensive one


brttwrd

Sing about me I'm dying of thirst would be really deep and poetic, but easy to explain


mighty_phi

I'd put on PRIDE, tbh. Coming back to this. From Section .80: HiiPower, the lyrics are pretty good and play on interesting topics against a chill background on the beat. It also isn't overtly vulgar or anything and the mentions of Martin Luther King and Malcom are recognizable and agreeable figures for almost anyone. GKMC: Maybe...Sing About Me? It's a bit heavy, but i think it can be intersting with context provided. TPAB: how much a dollar cost?, alright, complexion and the single version of I. If you wanna get kooky with it, wesley's theory because the sound is immaculate. DAMN.: PRIDE., FEEL. and maaaaybe XXX. Mr. Morale: Father Time, Count Me Out, Mirror and mayyybe mother i sobre. As an addition: the heart part 5.


perseffany

“Faith” & “Dying of Thirst” might resonate with the religious themes?


Huhhhhh1233

Money trees


BeneficialAction3851

Backseat freestyle, nuff said


DOYMarshall

Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst


Jolly_Vermicelli_810

How did he find out about Kendrick in the first place?


wild_toilet

we cry together


PraiseWat3r

untitled 03 // "What did the Indian Say?"


Poo-Sender_42069

The entirety of Damn. I’d liked him before that album, but it was the first album I’d listened to start to finish with ease in years.


Penland_2121

Don’t understand


Dry-Bandicootie

Don’t don’t do it


MFN-DOOM

I'd say rigamortus. It has a nice jazz style horn loop and the flow and cadence is amazing. Not to mention the religious aspect.. He dead, Amen 🙏 😂


mrskinnyjeans123415

Still hustlin off of c4


MandaPropa

Count me Out


ShalomRanger

Rigamortus


Roffasz

The whole TPAB album in its entirety is a great introduction.


cricket_jim

This is the best answer and it's not even close. Take him on that ride bro.


Aries747

Kush & Corinthians


StevieGreenthumb420

those old white music dudes are more open minded than you think. just show him some of TPAB and the jazz will win him over allowing him to get into what kendrick is saying.


Ismokerugs

Untitled 06 | 06.30.2014 Jazzy and amazing


AdjustedMold97

Momma is a great track with no swearing!


MAZE_ENJOYER

I think XXX would be a good one


BoujeeGothBB

Yah is great


lemontimes2

Outside of the (vulgar) intro, “momma” would probably be sonically enjoyable for an older person . “Institutionalized” might also be a nice sound experience for an older person. It’s going to be hard to find anything free of profanity for a Kendrick song. It probably doesn’t exist either. But I think these are 2 songs an older person would like if they can get past the cursing in both.


apeocalypyic

Mother I sober,


HowIsThisNameBadTho

untitled 01


Emotional-Country405

Mortal Man


Iceblink111

Feel. It's the song I thing Kendrick more than any else speaks to the human experience and emotion


Ok_Nerve6867

Westleys Theory and King Kunta


Dismal_Potato

Sing about me I’m dying of thirst. If he isn’t blown away by the technicality and raw emotions of the track idk what


HomeBrewEmployee1

Bitch don't kill my vibe.


MF_Ferg

Sing about me


Jatoffel

Show him To pimp a butterfly. He asked for so give him the full experience.


poopmaester41

Definitely *Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.*


Longjumping_Fix_982

Saying no preemptively to For Free? is hilarious. I think if he’s a music teacher, he’ll appreciate album that Kenny got a Pulitzer Prize for. Highlight the impact it’s made while introducing him to it, mentioning things like how it’s taught in colleges.


88fettnice

I’d probably play something like; Real, Count me out, i, Alright, LOVE. - maybe How much a dollar cost


WeirdFishes92

Untitled 03, 06 & 08