Ep 12: Cultural Menu – There’s Space for Many Tastes

Keywords culture, music, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Super Bowl, halftime show, Cowboy Carter, variety, representation, evolution

Summary In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin explores the themes of culture and music, focusing on the backlash against Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show and Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album. He emphasizes the importance of variety in music and culture, arguing that both artists are expanding their respective genres and creating space for diverse voices. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace cultural evolution and recognize that not everything is meant for everyone, highlighting the richness that variety brings to our cultural experiences.

Takeaways Just Human is a space for discussing what it means to be human. Culture thrives on having multiple options, much like a restaurant menu. Kendrick Lamar is an accomplished artist with significant awards. The backlash against Kendrick's performance reflects resistance to hip hop's mainstream presence. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album broke streaming records and won significant awards. Cultural spaces should be open to all, regardless of genre. Music and art evolve when boundaries are pushed and collaborations occur. Not every artist or genre will appeal to everyone, and that's okay. Variety in music enriches our cultural experience. We should embrace the evolution of music and culture rather than resist it.

Sound Bites "Kendrick Lamar is not just another rapper." "Hip hop is part of the mainstream culture." "Not everything is for everybody." "Music, art, and culture are meant to change." "Everything is not meant to be for everyone."

 

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Just Human and Cultural Exploration 03:00 The Super Bowl Halftime Show and Kendrick Lamar 11:57 Beyonce's Cowboy Carter Album and Cultural Backlash 20:08 The Importance of Variety in Music and Culture 26:14 Conclusion and Embracing Cultural Evolution