initially, the idea was simple - create a book showcasing the work of a chosen artist. at the time, the “damn” album had just been released and its bottom line was that it was a virtuosic collection of songs that were complex. however, the way “damn” so eloquently captured the complexity of black life in america while also being grounded in historical significance was worth exploring at a deeper level. as i delved into deep conversations with fellow fans and artists, i realized that kendrick may have had a particular message in mind, but the interpretations of the songs by fans and artists were equally significant and deserved to be documented.