Top 5 Things You Missed From Kendrick Lamar Videos
Did you happen to catch these? Don't worry, we got you. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the top five things you missed from Kendrick Lamar videos.
For this list, we'll be looking at five interesting references and Easter eggs you may have missed in several of Kendrick Lamar's music videos.
Like our videos? Head over to WatchMojo.comsuggest to submit your own video ideas today!
#5: Kendrick Channels His Inner Joker “i” (2014)
Top 10 Kendrick Lamar Guest Verses
“i” is one of Lamar’s happier and more uplifting songs, and in its music video, he mimics one of the most psychotic and villainous film characters in recent memory. In the video, Lamar pokes his upper body out of a moving car window, closes his eyes, and smiles as he enjoys the sensation of riding on the wind. This cleverly references a famous scene in “The Dark Knight.” After escaping from prison, the Joker leans his head out of the car’s window, closes his eyes, and shakes his head as he enjoys his newfound freedom. The imagery isn’t exactly alike, but the reference is still clear.
#4: Exposing Racists “HiiiPower” (2011)
The music video for “HiiiPower” is full of snapshot images that quickly come and go, so it’s easy to miss many important details, including the images of Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly. The first time Kendrick raps the word “racist,” an image of Fox News’ political pundit Sean Hannity flashes on screen, a man famous for his conservative views and promotion of conspiracy theories. The second time Kendrick raps “racist,” an image of Bill O’Reilly quickly flashes onscreen. O’Reilly is a former conservative Fox News commentator known for his talk show “The O’Reilly Factor.” Kendrick is apparently not a fan of their works.
#3: Carrie Mae Weems’ Kitchen Table Series “LOVE.” (2017)
Top 10 Carrie Underwood Songs
Kendrick Lamar seems to be a big fan of photography, because his music videos are filled with references to famous works. The music video for ELEMENT. is filled with images reminiscent of Gordon Parks’ photos, a photographer known for his focus on American civil rights and poverty. Similarly, the music video for LOVE. references the work of Carrie Mae Weems, a modern photographer who chronicles issues plaguing African Americans. The images of Kendrick and his girlfriend at the kitchen table are directly influenced and closely mirror Weems’ Kitchen Table series from 1990, photographs that show a black couple at a kitchen table.
#2: Don Cheadle and Kung Fu Kenny “DNA.” (2017)
Top 5 Things You Missed In Twenty One Pilots' Jumpsuit
The music video for DNA. begins with famous actor Don Cheadle interrogating Kendrick Lamar, who is hooked up to a lie detector. The two then perform the song in tandem, trading bars and arguing with each other through the song’s lyrics. Throughout the music video, Lamar is wearing a kung fu uniform, which is seen in greater detail once he leaves the room and ventures outside. This uniform is a direct reference to Don Cheadle, who played a character named Kung Fu Kenny in “Rush Hour 2.” Kendrick has seemingly lifted the name and outfit of Kung Fu Kenny and taken them on as his own.
#1: “California Love” and the Compton Swap Meet “King Kunta” (2015)
Top 10 Songs About California
The influence of Kendrick’s idol is on full display in his video for King Kunta. In the second music video for “California Love,” 2Pac mentions that he needs to go to the Compton Swap Meet to get some clothes for Dre’s party. We then see him leaving the Swap Meet with a group of friends. In Kendrick’s video, he raps on top of the same building to an adoring crowd below. The Swap Meet was unfortunately bought by Wal-Mart, and its presence in Kendrick’s video served as not only a tribute to his idol, but a respectful goodbye to a piece of Compton history.
