Analysis of Lil Baby's The Big Picture: Racial Discrimination and Police Brutality in Contemporary America
Overview
This essay analyzes Lil Baby's song 'The Big Picture' as a social commentary on racism and police brutality in the United States, particularly following George Floyd's death. The author examines how Lil Baby uses lyrical imagery and intellectual argumentation to address racial discrimination while acknowledging systemic complexity and the need for gradual social change.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing racism as contemporary problem and song's role in protest
- Analysis of verse one lyrics demonstrating artist's non-judgmental philosophy and nuanced perspective
- Examination of imagery related to protests, violence, and systemic change
- Discussion of song title's metaphorical significance and call to awareness
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Analysis of Lil Baby’s The Big Picture
Racing is a vise that should be long forgotten, but surprisingly it seems to be sinking deep in contemporary society (Haylock). In the recent past, America has recorded a high number of racism cases. The case that so far sparked a revolution in America and around the world is killing George Floyd, an African American, in cold blood by Minneapolis police officers. From the trend of racism cases, black people are the most discriminated against. Lil Baby joined in the protest against racism using his talent as an artist in his song The Big Picture. This song paints a big and clear picture of the state of racism in the United States, which ironically is executed and promoted the police who should protect all Americans' rights.
Lil Baby takes an intellectual route in addressing the racial discrimination against blacks currently rampant in America. In verse one, he says, “I be judging by the mind will be heart, I ain't really into faces.” By this, he means that he does not look at the skin color while making his judgment of what people do and how to treat certain people. It is a significant point because every society has its problems. He acknowledges that even the black race from which he descends has its internal issues ("The Bigger Picture" By Lil Baby - Song Meanings And Facts").
Lil bases his protest on racism on the difference in cultural values.