Kendrick Bowl - Episode 4

COLD OPEN?

It was a Sunday in June of 2001, and the Virginia heat arrived early to the cookout before summer could make its grand entrance. Grandma’s AC was on full blast, “cold as a witches’ ****,” she would say. Cold air would dance around the house until the sun took its precious time to set like your mama talking to everybody and their mama after church service. Little did I know this Sunday would be different, special, and even magical.?

Commercial Break: I know it’s too early for a commercial but I’ve been working on becoming a more descriptive writer for my novel. Let me know how I did in the comments. Now back to the Cold Open.?

Instead of watching one of the many Black movies in my Uncle Kelvin’s collection, we tuned in to the first annual BET Awards, and that’s when my love for live musical performances was born.?

The lights, choreography, instruments, theatrics, and vocals- mics were definitely on back then. Wow, that last part made me feel old but I’m grateful I was able to experience that kind of programming in real time with my family. Later, as a college student, I got to experience it in person. I interned with Jesse Collins Entertainment on the 2016 BET Honors, followed by working as a production assistant on several specials, including, Love and Happiness – An Obama Celebration for BET, my favorite production to this date, aside from my beloved, Hey Boo. Fast forward to a year and some change later at Bounce, I had the opportunity to contribute to the Trumpet Awards, pitching honorees and performers.?

Outside of writing, I would love to either produce and/or be a creative director for a live performance. So why not practice now with this year’s Super Bowl, halftime performer, Kendrick Lamar??

I present to you-?

KENDRICK BOWL

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. This story is no different. The Beginning highlights how this story came to be while giving fans a taste of the present. The Middle dives deeper into the fight, the aftermath, and the love that builds a legacy. The End circles back to the beginning, reminding those who ever doubted our talent, our value, our humanity- that they not like us.?

THE BEGINNING?

If you haven’t read my In Living Color, Big as the Super Bowl - Episode 3 or don’t know the history behind how the halftime show became what it is today, then that’s even more of a reason why The Wayans should introduce Kendrick Bowl from an In Living Color-inspired set. Their brief yet impactful message will entertain while educating viewers this Black History Month.?

As they finish speaking, the television screen cuts to black, then abruptly back on, revealing a color bars test screen. But instead of the usual colors, it will display red, black, green, and yellow (colors associated with Black History Month). A clever message from Kendrick will appear on the screen, followed by the sounds of an HBCU marching band playing the intro of TV Off Part II.?

The test ends with a close-up (Spike Lee-coded dolly shot) of Kendrick screaming, Mustaaaard…?

THE MIDDLE?

I envision a grand stage with a massive sphere at the center, similar to the one in Las Vegas, capable of projecting images and videos. At the top of the sphere, there will be a secure platform for two artists to perform safely.?

The Fight

TV Off?

Kendrick kicks off his performance with New Orleans-based HBCU marching bands as he sits atop a Black Grand National. This will serve as his fight anthem/walk-out song for all the doubters, including his peers in Hip Hop.?

Walk in New Orleans with the etiquette of LA, yellin’ - Kendrick Lamar, TV OFF

Alright and Squabble Up?

Kendrick takes the main stage, performing alongside dancers, the house band, and marching bands on the field.?

The Aftermath of The Fight?

Humble and Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe?

Kendrick continues utilizing the stage with dynamic camera angles, capturing key moments. The lighting will play a crucial role here, red lights for Humble and blue lights for Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe.?

The Love?

All The Stars (instrumental only)

The marching bands’ horn section shines in this moment as the stadium lights dim, leaving spectators’ wristbands twinkling like stars in the night sky.??

Luther and 30 for 30

A spotlight reveals Kendrick standing at the top of the rotating sphere displaying a video of Luther Vandross performing If This World Were Mine. Sza makes a grand entrance, rising from inside of the sphere. At the end of Luther, the sphere stops rotating. Kendrick and Sza then exit the sphere as the marching band plays the intro of 30 for 30.??

Loyalty

In a perfect world, Rihanna would rise from the sphere as Kendrick performs around her.?

The Legacy?

King Kunta and DNA?

These two songs provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate New Orleans Bounce, featuring a Bounce artist and local dancers. Creative camera angles will elevate this moment for viewers at home. The lyrics of DNA set up the transition into-?

THE END OF A NEW BEGINNING?

Not Like Us?

Not only can the beat save lives, but it can also close out any show. Honestly, I wouldn’t even need to see the second half of the game after this. Turn his TV off.?

I envision the crowd rapping along with Kendrick, with shots of fans throughout the stadium. A birds-eye view of “A Minor...” followed by an aerial shot of the stadium and New Orleans skyline, alluding that the whole city can hear the stadium.?

Towards the end, the bands will stop playing, and the crowd mics should be all the way up as they rap, "They not like us." Kendrick soaks it in for a moment before the bands start playing. Then, BOOM, fireworks, and pyros. The television screen cuts to black, then abruptly back on, revealing a color bars test screen with a special message from Kendrick to his fans.?

That’s a wrap on my version of Kendrick Bowl. Let’s see if I hit the mark or not this Sunday.?