They Not Like Us: Kendrick Lamar, Drake & The Commodification of a Rap Beef
In this discussion, Dr. Rhonda Matthews delves into the intersection of music, identity, and culture through the lens of one of the most compelling rivalries in contemporary hip-hop. This lecture unpacks the dynamics of rap beefs as more than lyrical sparring—they are reflections of societal stratification, identity politics, and capitalism's influence on artistic expression. Exploring Kendrick Lamar and Drake as cultural icons, this talk reveals how their rivalry encapsulates broader conversations about race, authenticity, and the commodification of Black creativity in a hyper-commercialized music industry. Engaging and thought-provoking, this event is a must for anyone interested in music, culture, and the power dynamics shaping our world or anyone who wants to understand it.
This event is part of the Pop Culture Lecture Series in partnership with Erie's Black Wall Street.
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 11, 7pm to 8:30pm
Admission: FREE
Rhonda Matthews, Ph.D., is an associate professor of political science and women’s studies in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at Edinboro University. Rhonda has been with the university since 2002 and served as the director of the Dr. Robert C. Weber Honors Program for three years. Prior to her work at Edinboro, she taught at several other institutions and worked in the fields of diversity affairs and residence life. Rhonda is dedicated to the advocacy and empowerment of women and children as a result of her previous work as a sexual assault survivor counselor. Using tenets of intersectional analysis, her primary areas of academic interest include gender & women’s studies, sociological theory, popular culture and stratification. She is a long-time fan of science fiction, superheroes and comic books, is married and has one daughter.
