Five Things You Had to See Online This Week
This week in “Thanks, Internet” — Kendrick Lamar becomes a pop star, a cartoonist draws his way out of existential crisis, Key & Peele explore gay weddings, Kirsten Dunst is the victim of celebrity selfies, andJohn Malkovich continues being John Malkovich.
1.King Kendrick Returns
Fans of Kendrick Lamar have eagerly awaited the follow-up to his game-changing album good kid, m.A.A.d citysince the daygood kid, m.A.A.d citydropped. Considering that day was nearly two years ago, “i” is sort of a big deal. The lead single from Kendrick’s forthcoming album left many a jaw hanging this week because it’s very good, but also because it opens with bubblegumguitars care of the Isley Brothers. It’s unsurprising that Kendrick sounds as self-assured as ever, but no one suspected his verses could pack this much punch while sounding this poppy.
I went to war last night
I’ve been dealing with depression ever since an adolescent
Duckin’ every other blessin’, l can never see the message
I can never take the lead, I can never bob and weave
For my nigga that be letting ’em annihilate me
And it’s evident I’m moving at a meteor speed
Finna run into a building, lay my body in the street
Keep my money in the ceiling, let my mama know I’m free
Give my story to the children and the lesson they can read
And the glory to the feeling of the only unseen
Seen enough, make a motherfucker scream, “I love myself!”
2. The History Of The World, Part II
How to deal with the magnitude of the universe? The flat circled nature of time? If you’re Anders Nilsen, you draw your way out of it. In yet another wonderful featurefrom theNew York Times bestenjoyed online, Nilsen explains his relationship to the totality of the universe — from the Big Bang tothe year 3,193,007,014, when a sentient organism in a nearby solar system sees some space dust that used to be himand thinks, “This is all there is. I should try to appreciate it.” He also takes time to note that punk rockwas invented in the 70s.
3. Key & Peele & Gay Weddings
Key & Peeleare back and they’re doing a great job of filling the void left by Dave Chappelle so many years ago. The duo released yetanother short to promote Season 4 of their show this week: four-and-a-half glorious minutes of gay wedding misconceptions, from “When do we sing ‘YMCA’?” to “Where do you get the Euros to buy gay gifts?”
4. Selfiesh
Not only are celebrity selfies the least creative form the medium offers but, as we discovered this week,they leave Kirsten Dunst feeling empty and used. In Matthew Frost‘s short, Dunst is the victim of a drive-by selfie attack by two California teens. “Do you want to talk or anything?” Dunst asks after the pics are taken. “Could you tag me?” the teens respond. One wishes this portrayalwereless believable.
5. Still Being John Malkovich
Sandro Milleris a serious photographer. For proof, see his portfolio, not his new collection that worksJohn Malkovich’s face into iconic photographs. Unlike your average celebrity meme, Malkovich was a co-conspirator, posing for each portrait. Miller seems to be the only person on the internet who doesn’t find anything funny about this.