OT: Super Bowl best ad

[storrsroars]

For the olds like me who have no clue why a petty argument was featured on the most watched 20 minutes of the year, here's some background:

Imagery, Symbolism and Backstory You Missed From Kendrick Lamar's Epic Super Bowl Halftime Show | The Root

The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper brought "Not Like Us" to the world's biggest stage on Sunday night.

www.theroot.com

So some of it now makes sense. But I'm still hung up on the accusations. If nothing is proved about Drake and paedophilia, then hell yeah, Drake should be suing the hell out of Lamar.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

For the olds like me who have no clue why a petty argument was featured on the most watched 20 minutes of the year, here's some background:

Imagery, Symbolism and Backstory You Missed From Kendrick Lamar's Epic Super Bowl Halftime Show | The Root

The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper brought "Not Like Us" to the world's biggest stage on Sunday night.

www.theroot.com

So some of it now makes sense. But I'm still hung up on the accusations. If nothing is proved about Drake and paedophilia, then hell yeah, Drake should be suing the hell out of Lamar.

Drake also accused him of Domestic Abuse amongst other things. Its rap, suing over lyrics in a song is weak.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Music taste is clearly highly subjective, was a little harsh on calling it noise - you’re right in that if you’re not purely into lyrics and into at least some of the narrative that is Lamar, his music will not hit home.

Me personally, I enjoy great vocals, instrumental talents. I like a melody, a chorus, crescendo, some high to low. He’s more of a poet than he is a singer, and there’s really not much to it beyond the words. No one is applauding the synthesized beats in the background. He’s also good at stirring sh&t up, which I guess is also a skill today. To each their own. I appreciate unique tastes just don’t connect with this particular form.

This is some top notch personal growth for a 4-page boneyard thread.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Definitely tried doing a more “impressive” show over an appealing one.

That tracks with Kendrick, though. He's an artist first and foremost and he's at a point of his career artistically and financially where he finds more value producing a halftime show that is more "impressive" than necessarily appealing to the masses.

It didn't feel like the "halftime show" but more of a Kendrick multi-media performance and I found it creative/interesting/provoking and liked it.

Back on thread, I liked the commercial that told me to use the bathroom.

 

[superjohn]

Any one of Kendrick's albums has a whole lotta something on Def Leppard's entire catalog. I haven't really listened to him since his first couple albums and that much is obvious.

It's bizarre you think Kendrick is for kids. He's most popular with the 25-40ish crowd. Folks young when MAAD City and DAMN. were popular. All kids know is about the Drake beef and "Not Like Us."

I wanted to like him. I tried and tried but I just don't get it. He's certainly not new but I think he was the start of something that's just turned into a garbage mainstream industry these days. I've loved rap my whole life so this isn't any rock vs. rap thing for me. Mainstream rock is garbage these days as well, IMO. I feel the same way about the Hollywood movie industry of today as well.

When people talk about Kendrick Lamar and Drake as the best ever it's bizarre to me and it's even stranger that this feud is the biggest thing in music. It's a 5 foot dude who sounds like an infant going back and forth with the dude from Degrassi High who was grooming the girl from Stranger Things.

It's hard to believe we went from Rakim, Kool G Rap, Beasties, LL, Ice Cube, Nas, AZ, Big Pun, Andre 3000, Meth, Biggie, Pac, Eminem etc. to these guys being called GOATS and a bunch of guys whining on auto tune and mumbling.

I'm really happy I grew up in the 90's.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I wanted to like him. I tried and tried but I just don't get it. He's certainly not new but I think he was the start of something that's just turned into a garbage mainstream industry these days. I've loved rap my whole life so this isn't any rock vs. rap thing for me. Mainstream rock is garbage these days as well, IMO. I feel the same way about the Hollywood movie industry of today as well.

When people talk about Kendrick Lamar and Drake as the best ever it's bizarre to me and it's even stranger that this feud is the biggest thing in music. It's a 5 foot dude who sounds like an infant going back and forth with the dude from Degrassi High who was grooming the girl from Stranger Things.

It's hard to believe we went from Rakim, Kool G Rap, Beasties, LL, Ice Cube, Nas, AZ, Big Pun, Andre 3000, Meth, Biggie, Pac, Eminem etc. to these guys being called GOATS and a bunch of guys whining on auto tune and mumbling.

I'm really happy I grew up in the 90's.

Kendrick is a better, more creative rapper than a majority of guys you listed. TPAB and GKMC are top tier classic Rap Albums.

It’s your opinion so it’s fair and all, but you are certainly sounding like a nostagia-bias individual.

And I love a lot of those guys too, so i’m not just riding Kendrick. Just crazy that people have to put down him and others in order to raise up their favs.

 

[RuffRuff]

I wanted to like him. I tried and tried but I just don't get it. He's certainly not new but I think he was the start of something that's just turned into a garbage mainstream industry these days. I've loved rap my whole life so this isn't any rock vs. rap thing for me. Mainstream rock is garbage these days as well, IMO. I feel the same way about the Hollywood movie industry of today as well.

When people talk about Kendrick Lamar and Drake as the best ever it's bizarre to me and it's even stranger that this feud is the biggest thing in music. It's a 5 foot dude who sounds like an infant going back and forth with the dude from Degrassi High who was grooming the girl from Stranger Things.

It's hard to believe we went from Rakim, Kool G Rap, Beasties, LL, Ice Cube, Nas, AZ, Big Pun, Andre 3000, Meth, Biggie, Pac, Eminem etc. to these guys being called GOATS and a bunch of guys whining on auto tune and mumbling.

I'm really happy I grew up in the 90's.

Recency bias at it's best. I like you SuperJohn. Being a fan of petty squabbling through music feels like a sign of the social media times. More look at me, then creative authenticity.

And as much as I want to buy into the spin that KL did what he thought was best for him, dude, it's the Superbowl halftime show, just friggin entertain the masses. This isn't a Lamar only venue where it's only his fans that get him, it's a wide @ss audience.

 

[HuskyHawk]

For the olds like me who have no clue why a petty argument was featured on the most watched 20 minutes of the year, here's some background:

Imagery, Symbolism and Backstory You Missed From Kendrick Lamar's Epic Super Bowl Halftime Show | The Root

The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper brought "Not Like Us" to the world's biggest stage on Sunday night.

www.theroot.com

So some of it now makes sense. But I'm still hung up on the accusations. If nothing is proved about Drake and paedophilia, then hell yeah, Drake should be suing the hell out of Lamar.

Kind of confirms what I thought. As a topic for great music, this doesn't rate. It's like two 13 year olds insulting each other in the playground. It's not exactly Bob Dylan level thought provoking lyrics. I get why Lamar fans found it fun. The same reason Tom Brady fans enjoyed watching Mahomes fail.

Anybody know why he had a Buick Regal Grand National on stage? That was my favorite part.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Kind of confirms what I thought. As a topic for great music, this doesn't rate. It's like two 13 year olds insulting each other in the playground. It's not exactly Bob Dylan level thought provoking lyrics. I get why Lamar fans found it fun. The same reason Tom Brady fans enjoyed watching Mahomes fail.

Anybody know why he had a Buick Regal Grand National on stage? That was my favorite part.

His latest album was titled GNX.

He grew up in Compton and saw them, it was like a symbol for “making it” to him, at least that’s how he described it.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I wanted to like him. I tried and tried but I just don't get it. He's certainly not new but I think he was the start of something that's just turned into a garbage mainstream industry these days. I've loved rap my whole life so this isn't any rock vs. rap thing for me. Mainstream rock is garbage these days as well, IMO. I feel the same way about the Hollywood movie industry of today as well.

When people talk about Kendrick Lamar and Drake as the best ever it's bizarre to me and it's even stranger that this feud is the biggest thing in music. It's a 5 foot dude who sounds like an infant going back and forth with the dude from Degrassi High who was grooming the girl from Stranger Things.

It's hard to believe we went from Rakim, Kool G Rap, Beasties, LL, Ice Cube, Nas, AZ, Big Pun, Andre 3000, Meth, Biggie, Pac, Eminem etc. to these guys being called GOATS and a bunch of guys whining on auto tune and mumbling.

I'm really happy I grew up in the 90's.

I feel like if you had to pick two of the bigger name modern rappers for someone that likes that list, it would be Kendrick and J Cole.

 

[storrsroars]

Drake also accused him of Domestic Abuse amongst other things. Its rap, suing over lyrics in a song is weak.

I don't know where the off ramp is between rap and professional sports or other major arts, but the track record of celebrities in those fields accused of domestic abuse shows over and over again it's basically a speed bump as far as career goes. Nobody comes back from paedophilia. It's like comparing shoplifting to armed robbery.

 

[Deleted at users request]

That tracks with Kendrick, though. He's an artist first and foremost and he's at a point of his career artistically and financially where he finds more value producing a halftime show that is more "impressive" than necessarily appealing to the masses.

It didn't feel like the "halftime show" but more of a Kendrick multi-media performance and I found it creative/interesting/provoking and liked it.

Back on thread, I liked the commercial that told me to use the bathroom.

Yeah I personally liked the show a lot and caught some of what he did and am enjoying learning and catching more. Hes my favorite artist easily.

As far as the commercials, the Seal seal was hilarious. The liquid death drinking on the job was funny too.

 

[Samoo]

Huh? He’s almost 40 and has been big for over a decade. I assure you 14 year olds are not his target demographic.

The NFL already has the I Hate Rap market locked up. This was all about marketing to expand their audience. My high school age son and his friends were glued to the screen for the halftime show.

 

[Kolumbo]

I liked the David and Other David commercial but I don't remember what it was for. I'll google. Stella Artois. I didn't watch too many ads though.

Nike women's athletes commercial. I'm not sure what the purpose was. We have been watching and supporting female athletes forever.

Half time sucked. They either have to have an entertainer who appeals to and entertains a very wide audience, or multiple entertainers from different genres. Mr. Lamar may be very good at what he does but watching a guy walk around mumbling doesn't appeal to me. We thought one song was "Pickleball" and we knew about "Not Like Us." 3 minutes of Lamar would have been good for this venue. I like rap and different varieties of rap but it's probably more mainstream rap which is played on the radio, the more popular stuff. I liked bro's jacket though.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I don't know where the off ramp is between rap and professional sports or other major arts, but the track record of celebrities in those fields accused of domestic abuse shows over and over again it's basically a speed bump as far as career goes. Nobody comes back from paedophilia. It's like comparing shoplifting to armed robbery.

The thing with what Kendrick said is that Drake’s own actions are the reason they stuck so hard.

Like the whole “you better hide your little sister from him” line was because Drake went out with Mulatto’s little sister.

His other interactions with girls who are underage have been kind of creepy. But Kendrick didn’t pull anything out of thin air the way Drake did.

So good luck to Drake in that lawsuit lol

 

[superjohn]

It’s your opinion so it’s fair and all, but you are certainly sounding like a nostagia-bias individual.

I absolutely am, I think we're largely devoid of creative culture these days...

At least in terms of the music and movies getting pumped out and presented to the masses. IMO, it sucks compared to the stuff in past generations. There's still great stuff being made but I really have to seek it out.

 

[superjohn]

I feel like if you had to pick two of the bigger name modern rappers for someone that likes that list, it would be Kendrick and J Cole.

I like J. Cole, he's probably the last mainstream rapper I really like. Actually, Lupe Fiasco as well. American Terrorist and Mural are amazing songs.

Kendrick Lamar is corny to me and I just can't get into his songs, not as bad as Drake but I just can't get into it. I so wanted to like him.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I like J. Cole, he's probably the last mainstream rapper I really like. Actually, Lupe Fiasco as well. American Terrorist and Mural are amazing songs.

Kendrick Lamar is corny to me and I just can't get into his songs, not as bad as Drake but I just can't get into it. I so wanted to like him.

Just don’t get this. If anything, he’s authentic. Kinda the opposite of corny.

 

[bballgrda]

I absolutely am, I think we're largely devoid of creative culture these days...

At least in terms of the music and movies getting pumped out and presented to the masses. IMO, it sucks compared to the stuff in past generations. There's still great stuff being made but I really have to seek it out.

This is nothing new. The effects of the internet have just amplified what has always been. Mass appeal, lowest common denominator, etc.

 

[RuffRuff]

I absolutely am, I think we're largely devoid of creative culture these days...

At least in terms of the music and movies getting pumped out and presented to the masses. IMO, it sucks compared to the stuff in past generations. There's still great stuff being made but I really have to seek it out.

You definitely have to turn over rocks to find it these days - still plenty in the Indy music scene where they use real instruments and real humans to create music.

Movies - I refuse to watch anything not Rotten Tomatoes >90% both critic/audience. There is so much bad cr@p out there you can't burn your time on. Because big box is all but gone and streaming has taken over, movie studios just don't have the budgets they used to and do everything on the cheap. There is CGI everywhere. This whole Marvels mix stuff is mind numbing (will probably be called old for that too). The last Deadpool made me want to burn my eyes out, shut it off after 10 minutes of listening to Ryan Reynolds and his corny schtick.

 

[Purple Stein]

I think there is more to it than that. It’s behavior, cultural shifts, distractions and technology more than it is opportunities to be creative. Music is a platform with endless ways to be creative, but time has to be invested, passion & collaboration needed. And maybe some good old fashioned boredom to give the brain time to think creatively. Kids these days don’t have the time to sit in the garage and jam.

I am absolutely confused that you would watch that halftime show and say "that man is not creative."

Go Huskies but I think we might be on different planets.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Who in their right mind thinks this noise is music? How has a 5’2” guy mumbling in a sea of white hoodies become cool? Has nothing on Pour Some Sugar on Me. I’d have settled for some friggin Pink, anything but that.

There’s a reason this song was given a Grammy for the best written song of the year.

If you don’t follow hip-hop though pretty much everything in this song goes over your head and sounds like “noise” I guess. But it was a lyrical masterpiece on something you can dance to.

 

[HooperScooper]

I genuinely can't imagine someone with internet access (and access without paywalls in your case) not knowing who Kendrick Lamar is. He's been the face of rap for pushing 15 years now.

Does he sing stuff like the Sugar Hill Gang and Run DMC?

 

[cullaville]

Nike had everyone in their women's sports ad except Paige

Am I the only one who thinks "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin was an odd choice as the background music for this commercial featuring women athletes?

Not criticizing Zep - I am a fan.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

The Lays Potato Chip ad with the girl planting a potato and taking care of it as it grew in the ground. Best ad.

 

[KeepWinning]

Kind of confirms what I thought. As a topic for great music, this doesn't rate. It's like two 13 year olds insulting each other in the playground. It's not exactly Bob Dylan level thought provoking lyrics. I get why Lamar fans found it fun. The same reason Tom Brady fans enjoyed watching Mahomes fail.

Anybody know why he had a Buick Regal Grand National on stage? That was my favorite part.

I can help answer the last question. His song “tv off” starts with “All I ever wanted is a black Grand National”. I’m not a big fan of his, but that line makes me like the song because I love Grand Nationals.

 

[Gurleyman]

Am I the only one who thinks "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin was an odd choice as the background music for this commercial featuring women athletes?

Not criticizing Zep - I am a fan.

Oh my god yeah. Like most Zep, it isn’t exactly pro-woman. “Love” doesn’t exactly refer to the heart. “You need cooling. Baby I’m not fooling, I’m going to send you back to schooling, way down inside, going to give you my love, going to give you every inch of my love.”

Then “Shake for me girl. I’m going to be your back door man” (they claim thats a reference to cheating and sneaking in the back door as opposed to butt stuff - but either way, it isn’t exactly You Are So Beautiful to me).

 

[Martin84]

The show was pretty much his new album and some of his disses from this year. There was two songs that weren’t from the past year.

Bold move considering he could’ve did a show with his greatest hits that everyone would’ve loved.

The imagery and production was amazing. Him rapping with a live mic and no background on that stage is also super impressive.

Gotta love the pettiness of Serina C-walking to a national audience wearing all blue to get back at Drake. Just iconic lol

That was live?

 

[Martin84]

This whole thread is pretty hilarious. We've got people arguing about the relevancy of Kendrick Lamar while also name-dropping Def Leppard and Carly Simon.

I guess I'm now at the point where I wonder what's the actual point of the halftime show at all? Regardless of who plays, 1/2 the viewers will say they suck because they are either too "old/irrelevant" or too "young/what's wrong with music nowadays?"

Sounds like your using Def Leppard as a punchline, fair point, but at least everyone would have known the words. The singer would have sang, whether he hits the high notes or not and they even have a one- armed drummer. 110 million records sold most legit sales and not internet bots fake playing/downloaded singles. Ken-Drake is like HulkHogan bitching about MachoMan.

 

[Husky25]

Taylor Swift is pushing 40 and that's exactly her demographic.

Taylor Swift just turned 35. You can round up if you choose, but to me, "Pushing 40," starts at 38 at the earliest.

I could not have cared less about the halftime show. It gave me an opportunity to continue cooking.

That said: