A Line-By-Line Translation Of Kendrick Lamar’s Text Message To His Mom
When Kendrick Lamar’s mom texted her son about his new music, the young people fell out laughing at her overuse of emojis and outdated slang, (and she mentions having a CD!)
Let me tell y’all something. Some of us Olds still buy CDs. (And yes, Kendrick’s latest is available in a physical format!) Some of us still haven’t gotten the hang of streaming yet. And everyone is not trying to pay $9.99 a month for this service and that service—all for songs we don’t even own! Plus, where’s the album art? And the lyrics? And the credits? Hmph.
I’m not saying I buy physical CDs. But I can understand why some of my fellow Olds still do. And for the record, vinyl is coming back and cassette tapes so there. (Eminem recently announced The Slim Shady LP reissue on cassette)
As far as the usage of her slang. Yes, we will “drop bombs” all up and through our text messages and you will deal. Don’t you know the one and only Funkmaster Flex? That legendary DJ from NYC (age 48!) has been dropping bombs on hot tracks since the ‘90s. Ask B.I.G. and Tupac.
Do some research! We Old people have been saying bomb since the 1970s. Check out Charlie Wilson and The Gap Band singing You Dropped A Bomb On Me back in 1982 when Kendrick was 5 years old.
Now, on that note. Let me translate this text for you. As a mother of two who often sends congratulatory texts to her babies, I fully understand every word.
This CD is bombbbbb!
Self-explanatory.
You should of put me and your daddy on this one too. j/k.
I’m actually not joking.
This your best one to me, no bulls**t.
I’m going to say that about everything you release. And I’ll mean it every time.
Your daddy said u look stressed out on the cover lol I said n***a that’s the point, we always stressing him out.
I actually don’t understand why you look so stressed on the cover. I’m concerned and I want to know if you’re eating well on the road. And are me and your dad really stressing you out? You can tell me.
Since a lil boy you been a over thinker though.
You know I worry about you when you’re overthinking. Let me make you something to eat.
But what you say, a n***a make it look sexy?
Son, please don’t talk about sex.
Son, you can make a dog laugh.
I know that makes no sense. I’m still confused about you talking about making it look sexy.
Lil Ken Ken milli rocking to it. He so weak lol.
Did I use these words right? Is milli rocking still a thing? And is Lil Ken Ken weak? Or am *I* weak while watching him. I’m not sure. But it’s funny.
I missed the Coachella stream.
I couldn't figure out how to find it. Was it on BET?
They say you was floating in air?
Was that safe? Now I’m worried for real.
Your fans are some die hards. I love them.
But don’t forget Kendrick, I’m the most die hard fan of them all. Your father and I are overwhelmingly proud of what you are doing for music—and the world as a whole.
