When Kendrick Lamar took the stage for the Tremendous Bowl halftime present, I discovered myself in the midst of an attention-grabbing dialog with my associates. After seeing so many contrasting opinions on-line, I started to comprehend that this debate isn’t nearly musical desire — it’s concerning the lens by means of which we see the world.
Some hailed it because the efficiency of the yr, whereas others wrote it off as a miss. To be sincere, I’m not a fan of Kendrick Lamar’s music. A lot of it goes over my head until I pay shut consideration, and even then, I discover it difficult to completely grasp his intricate storytelling. However that’s a part of what made the dialog so fascinating. The sturdy reactions to his efficiency revealed a a lot bigger challenge: a generational divide in how we eat and interpret artwork.
Courtesy photograph
Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio, a public relations skilled and neighborhood chief, is a former Orlando Sentinel editor and editorial board member.
As a Latina, my cultural touchstones are rooted in numerous musical traditions. When Jennifer Lopez and Shakira took the stage for his or her Tremendous Bowl halftime efficiency in 2020, I felt a direct connection. The efficiency was electrifying, stuffed with power, and had me brimming with pleasure. It was greater than only a present — it was a celebration of tradition, id, and unity. For me, it was the efficiency. However regardless of what i thought of a monumental success, it hasn’t been thought of one of many prime 10 halftime reveals, which solely highlights the truth that style is subjective, formed by private experiences and generational context.
Kendrick Lamar’s efficiency underscores this very level. For a lot of older generations, significantly these accustomed to conventional pop, rock or mainstream music, Lamar’s fashion of efficiency can really feel summary and tough to comply with. His music isn’t nearly catchy choruses or visible spectacle; it’s about intricate storytelling, usually filled with political and social commentary. For individuals who haven’t immersed themselves in his work, his efficiency might sound extra like an enigma than a celebration. However for youthful listeners, particularly those that have adopted Lamar’s profession intently, his present was a robust second that celebrated cultural id and private reflection.
Lamar’s music usually touches on themes of alienation, racial id and societal struggles. His music “Not Like Us,” for instance, goes past his well-known feud with Drake. It explores the sensation of being misunderstood or marginalized by society, particularly from the angle of Black People. Whereas this theme may be tough for these outdoors of this expertise to completely grasp, it’s an anthem for a lot of followers who’ve felt the sting of exclusion. The music represents defiance, resilience, and the continued battle for self-acceptance. For individuals who perceive these layers, the efficiency was a possibility to attach with an artist who speaks on to their experiences.
Lamar wrapped up his efficiency with “TV Off,” a selection that felt like an announcement in itself. In at this time’s world, the place media and leisure continuously demand our consideration, his resolution to shut with a music about disconnecting from the noise and specializing in what really issues was a name for introspection. It felt like an invite to show off the distractions and get again to what’s genuine and significant. For a lot of who understood the importance of this message, it wasn’t only a efficiency — it was a profound creative assertion concerning the significance of staying true to oneself in a world stuffed with distractions.
As somebody who was deeply moved by JLo and Shakira’s efficiency, their halftime present struck me as a private celebration of tradition. However for others, Lamar’s efficiency was equally highly effective and significant. The range of opinion is what makes music so distinctive, however it additionally exposes how deeply private these experiences will be.
There’s no one-size-fits-all with regards to artwork and efficiency. We every deliver our personal experiences, cultural influences, and preferences to the desk. And that’s what makes discussions about performances just like the Tremendous Bowl halftime present so fascinating. It’s not nearly a present or a music — it’s about how our particular person views form what we see and really feel. In the long run, as we are saying in Puerto Rico, “Pa los gustos, los colores” (to every their very own). Totally different generations, completely different tastes, and completely different interpretations of the identical efficiency — it’s what makes music, and life, so splendidly complicated.
Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio, a public relations skilled and neighborhood chief, is a former Orlando Sentinel editor and editorial board member.
