Hood, ratchet, mad, angry, ghetto, liar, and so many more negative words have been used to describe and tear down artist Kimberly Michelle “K. Michelle” Pate, and it’s been done by her own people, our people. K. Michelle, a mother, a black woman, college educated; these things people seem to forget. She has put her life on display to the public, and remained her true and authentic self which has resulted in her fourth studio album, “KIMBERLY: The People I Used To Know.”
As a whole, her latest project “KIMBERLY: The People I Used To Know” would be classified as R&B, but Pate touches multiple genres from Jazz, to Country, even rapping. The 21-track project touches on Pate’s haters, her career, industry suicide, love, staying true to herself, and of course; sex. Of course, you know it wouldn’t be a true K. Michelle project without a little ratchetness, however; Pate explores more genres and escapes the box she been placed in. She remains herself in the lyrics. The same person we’ve seen on television is the same person in the music.
“Kimberly Michelle Pate/ Born March 4 in Memphis, Tennessee/ If you’re listening to this album, thank you/ You’re either a helper or a hater/ And part of the reason why I got to this paper/ I know I asked who wanted to buy a heart/ But I’ve decided not to sell it/ I have a lot on it, and I just want to tell it/ If you hear something on this album that steps on your toes/ Just know the truth only steps on your toes when you’ve stepped out of line!” – “Welcome To The People I Used To Know”
One of the best songs off the album, and most important for the culture and community, is “Kim K.” While “Kim K” addresses the personal issues with her public perception, it also addresses the cultural appropriation that we call out more often now, especially from the Kardashians. From Kylie and Kendall Jenner trying to sell shirts of their images over the images of Tupac and Biggie, to Kim Kardashian supposedly setting trends with her braids; cultural appropriation is something this family does well and benefits a lot from.
“Wish I could be a Kardashian so I could be black/ Put my face over Pac, wear my braids to the back/ Throw a filter on that, ’cause ain’t shit real/ And ain’t shit funny, so fuck how you feel”
Now, while Pate shared she doesn’t dislike Kim K, this isn’t the first time she has spoken on cultural appropriation. Pate has also addressed “Blue Eyed Soul,” and how the record labels want R&B, just not from black people, and the state of R&B solidifies her statement about music in general (just listen to the radio). They want our culture, just not us. It’s a trend, a sad trend that needs to stop. While Pate and Nicki Minaj are mocked and mimicked for their behinds, Kim K is praised. When black people wear braids, dreads, and other different hair styles, they are looked upon as unprofessional, but when white counterparts mimic those styles; its sheek, fashion, edgy. Like our culture is just an accessory.
[Verse 1]
“Look/ Why when I do this shit they mad/ When they do this shit they glad/ On my way to get that bag/ No discounts on 5th Ave.!/ Black girl who’s angry/ Media can’t stand me/ I may never get this Grammy/ But I’mma feed my family/ It’s just me and my bitches/ Swear I just love when it don’t have to be ’bout no niggas/ I get to be in my feelings/ Talkin’ that talk, I’m bout to walk in my thoughts, listen!/ Wassup with all you black women?/ I date a black man named Idris/ You say “[I’m] ghetto, he trippin,”/ You’d rather him with white women/ How you don’t like me, no/ When you just like me, oh!/ I know it must hurt/ He fuck with me and he don’t want her/ That’s why I should be the bridge for you bitches/ That’ll help you to get over these niggas”
While discussing the song on twitter, Pate went into detail and examples of what she was speaking on personally. Not just pinpointing the Kardashians, but as a whole, cultural appropriation is a serious issue in the community, and the lack of understanding for those outside of certain minority cultures.
The sad reality is that this happens all too much, where how we feel, dress, and chose to express ourselves are deemed lesser than on us, but groundbreaking on others. Yes, as the black community, we make jokes about our celebrities and culture, but to hear hateful things after hateful things by people in your own community; it definitely take a toll on you as an individual. We talk about mental health, and the lacking of acknowledgement in the black community; yet, we’re constantly dragging somebody unnecessarily. Mental health plays a huge part of why people are the way they are, and Pate has shown she is a strong woman, but still fragile.