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Podcasts The Frame
Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar goes deep into religious symbolism with 'Damn'
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The Frame Tile
Apr 16, 2018
Listen • 6:06
Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar goes deep into religious symbolism with 'Damn'
Religion, redemption and reconciliation are among the many themes running through the rapper's album, "Damn."
Cover art for Kendrick Lamar's new album, Damn.
Cover art for Kendrick Lamar's new album, "Damn."
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Religion, redemption and reconciliation are among the many themes running through the rapper's album, "Damn."

UPDATE: Kendrick Lamar has been named recipient of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his album, "DAMN." He is the first winner of the music award who is not a classical or jazz artist.

The Pulitzer board said the album is a “virtuosic song collection” that captures “modern African American life.”

Below is our coverage from April, 2017, when the album was released:

ORIGINAL STORY: As Kendrick Lamar prepares to take the stage at Coachella again this weekend, critical acclaim for his new album, "DAMN.," continues to roll in.

Released a week ago today, the record's 14 tracks all have one-word titles, including  “Pride,” “Lust,” “Fear” and “God.”

With those song titles and the album’s release on Good Friday, it may come as no surprise that among its themes are religion, redemption and reconciliation.

Writer

explored the album’s religious symbolism in a piece for Esquire.com this week. He spoke with The Frame host John Horn about his essay, "How DAMN. Transcends Religious Symbolism in Hip-Hop."

To hear the full interview, click the blue player above.