That there’s a new mural in Compton wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, but the latest masterpiece on the walls of Compton Blvd. and N. Bullis Rd. has taken the town by surprise. Larger than life and represented in a vibrant, almost graffiti-like manner, the mural depicts none other than hip-hop royalty in the persons of Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
One local, Mr. Johnson, was awestruck when he glanced at the mural while out walking his poodle, Peaches. “Whoa, that’s somethin’ else,” he chuckled, clawing Peaches behind the ears. Since this mural appeared, the interest in the town spiked up.
Mural of Kendrick Lamar and Drake spotted in Compton. PIC.TWITTER.COM/AN5OFZKDQZ
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Fans are talking about artistic choices and the rumors about its meaning or a message behind the pairing. “Is this a collab or competition” asked one teenager, pondering the point from his spot near the mural, practicing his jump shot.
The walls in Compton were always full of stories. The murals in Compton are not just splashes of color; it is a point to be a living history book. It is a battle of the community’s struggle, victory, and dynamic identity of community. Murals from portraits of cultural icons to the scenes representing the coming of different ethnicities, such murals form a mosaic for the narrative of Compton.
So, what does this particular mural tell us? Kendrick Lamar and Drake are no ordinary rappers; they are cultural juggernauts. Lamar, a native of Compton, has used his music to paint poignant pictures of life in the city. Drake, while he is not from Compton, has resumed the sound of the hip-hop and pop genre. This mural can be a celebration of their contribution to the musical scene and their undeniable influence. It is a source of pride to Compton and proof of success not leaving one’s roots behind.
