pgLang: Culture, Language, Identity

Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free's pgLang forges a new creative model, launching artists like Baby Keem and Tanna Leone across music, fashion, and visual storytelling.

Tracklist

  1. Orange Soda — Baby Keem
  2. family ties — Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
  3. N95 — Kendrick Lamar
  4. Picasso — Tanna Leone
  5. Addicted — Jorja Smith
  6. Gravity (feat. Tyler, The Creator & DJ Dahi) — Brent Faiyaz
  7. Ca$ino — Baby Keem
  8. Squabble Up — Kendrick Lamar
  9. With The Villains — Tanna Leone
  10. Street Fighter Mas — Kamasi Washington

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Hope your afternoon's going well. Let's dig in.

Orange Soda — Baby Keem

"Orange Soda" by Baby Keem launched him into rapid ascent, a key moment before pgLang's official reveal. By October 2019, Dave Free was already working with Baby Keem, hinting at the "astronaut ideas" that would fuel their future partnership. His unique sound was already making waves, laying the groundwork for his inclusion in pgLang’s visual mission statement and his subsequent joint contract with Columbia Records, setting the stage for a new creative era.

family ties — Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar

"family ties" by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar cemented the powerful synergy between Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar, winning a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. This track, an early version featured in pgLang's March 2020 visual mission statement, showcased their undeniable familial and artistic bond. The collaboration propelled Baby Keem's debut album, The Melodic Blue, to number five on the Billboard 200, proving pgLang's immediate impact on the industry and solidifying their joint vision.

N95 — Kendrick Lamar

"N95" represents Kendrick Lamar's continued reign as a cultural icon and the "mythical architect" of pgLang. Co-founded with Dave Free in 2020, pgLang is an independent multidisciplinary creative communications company, an extension of Lamar's unique artistic vision. From his Compton origins to a Pulitzer Prize, Kendrick Lamar consistently pushes boundaries, and this track from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers showcases his evolving artistry and the depth of the pgLang ethos.

Picasso — Tanna Leone

"Picasso" introduces Tanna Leone, another compelling artist on the pgLang roster, embodying the company's commitment to "cultivating raw expression from grassroots partnerships." pgLang isn't just about its founders; it's about nurturing diverse talent. Tanna Leone’s inclusion demonstrates pgLang’s broader vision to discover and develop unique voices, showcasing the multi-disciplinary company's expansive artistic reach beyond its immediate family.

Addicted — Jorja Smith

"Addicted" by Jorja Smith reminds us of pgLang's "multi-lingual" and multi-disciplinary approach to storytelling. While not signed to the company, Jorja Smith’s appearance in pgLang's initial visual mission statement highlighted their expansive creative network. It signifies pgLang’s commitment to collaborating with artists who embody their ethos of emotional depth and cultural impact, demonstrating how they weave together diverse artistic expressions into a cohesive vision.

Gravity (feat. Tyler, The Creator & DJ Dahi) — Brent Faiyaz

"Gravity (feat. Tyler, The Creator & DJ Dahi)" by Brent Faiyaz spotlights pgLang's innovative ventures beyond music. Brent Faiyaz starred in a series of seven short films for Calvin Klein in January 2021, written and directed by Dave Free. This bold advertising campaign showcased pgLang's expertise in visual media production and brand collaborations, proving their ability to tell immersive fashion stories and extend their creative influence across various industries.

Ca$ino — Baby Keem

"Ca$ino" by Baby Keem is a testament to his burgeoning individual identity, showing him stepping "beyond just being Kendrick’s cousin or pgLang’s next star." This track, from his critically anticipated second studio album Ca$ino, reveals Baby Keem as an impassioned storyteller with "crooked humor" and abrupt emotional detours. He continues to forge a style that is unmistakably his own, solidifying his unique presence within and beyond pgLang.

Squabble Up — Kendrick Lamar

"Squabble Up" from Kendrick Lamar showcases the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of his artistry and pgLang's influence. His recent iconic run, notably with tracks like "Not Like Us" (directed by Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar), demonstrates how pgLang's vision is shaped by the "evolving world of communication." Kendrick Lamar continues to set new standards, using the multidisciplinary platform to amplify his powerful messages and innovative storytelling.

With The Villains — Tanna Leone

"With The Villains" from Tanna Leone reinforces pgLang's dedication to nurturing distinctive voices. As an artist on the pgLang roster, Tanna Leone exemplifies the company's focus on supporting "grassroots partnerships" and cultivating raw expression. His sound adds another layer to pgLang's diverse artistic portfolio, showcasing the broad spectrum of talent that Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free are committed to amplifying within their creative ecosystem.

Street Fighter Mas — Kamasi Washington

"Street Fighter Mas" by Kamasi Washington closes our journey, highlighting pgLang's foundational commitment to rich artistic soundscapes. Kamasi Washington provided the evocative music for pgLang's initial visual mission statement in March 2020. This collaboration underscores pgLang's deep appreciation for diverse musical genres and its specialization in high-quality music and visual media production, creating immersive experiences from the very beginning.

Thank you for listening to OffStereo. It's a powerful thing to witness an artist define their unique legacy, proving influence can inspire rather than overshadow.

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