Time to Watch the Part(ies) Die

culture studies placemaking Sep 12, 2024

Kendrick Lamar’s powerful lyrics in “Watch the Party Die” inspired me to reflect on a system that, much like the party he describes, has run its course.

The U.S. two-party political system, once believed to represent the full spectrum of American ideals, has devolved into a breeding ground for extreme partisanship and division, leaving little room for real discourse or compromise. In this piece, we’ll explore why it’s time to let the two-party system die—and to embrace something more representative, something more nuanced.

In Kendrick’s song, “Watch the Party Die,” he doesn’t hold back, calling out the toxicity that’s poisoning our culture, much like the way the two-party system poisons the diversity of ideas we already have and desperately need to recognize in the United States. Like many of my favorite people, Kendrick rejects the idea of being a role model acknowledging that he (like everyone and everything) is not without his flaws. The song’s message mirrors our political reality: we’ve reached a point where differences are met not with discussion, but with sharp and sometimes violent rejection. In the same way that Kendrick raps about needing to “watch the party die,” I believe we need to let go of our rigid attachment to the binary political system that only deepens our cultural divides.

Let’s Establish the Setting: America During an Election Year, 2024

In many ways, political figures are like influencers, showing up at the “party” for everyone to watch, much like we tune into the VMAs or other high-profile events from the comfort of our homes. To be an influencer today means playing a role in the spectacle, with the world observing and judging your every move. In each case, American society places them on a pedestal, expecting them to represent ideals and values, only to tear them down when they deviate from what we expect. In exchange for this constant scrutiny, they get to live out a version of the American dream—fame, wealth, and influence—though it comes at the cost of their privacy and often, their peace of mind.

Just like with influencers, our political system imposes a kind of trauma on those in the public eye, demanding perfection while participating in a deeply flawed structure. As part of his quiet rampage against the machine, Kendrick criticizes the mindless followers of influencers. Kendrick declares he is at home (perhaps with himself, perhaps physically in the United States, perhaps both). Let’s watch the party die from here.

The Thesis of This Piece

My biggest gripe with our two-party system in the United States is that much like most of our life since the rise of the internet, it is heavily affected by influencer culture. We practice identity politics and choose candidates based on which person’s brand most closely aligns with what we imagine to be a good person. In today’s society, “good” is based on familiar themes - praising the ability to earn money, the desire to take care of your family/country, and the freedom to choose your reality, but in recent years it has grown into placing rich, apparently relatable people on a pedestal. Not only is this flawed, it isolates people who do not conform and robs them of their ability to relate to others. We get lonely and our systems break down because what we want and what we need aren’t aligned, hence some cries to eat the rich or burn it all down and start again.

The U.S. President’s job is to be a figurehead more than anything. They are the ultimate influencer on today’s world stage and the person we elect becomes the most influential person on the planet. If you don’t believe me, make an international friend and ask them if their homeland is concerned with American politics. You’ll find they often have knowledge of our current events and strong opinions. As an American, how many countries can you say this about? Despite and perhaps in spite of our struggles, as Americans, we all experience great privileges. With Kendrick dropping on 9/11, I can’t help but think about my fellow Americans.

The result? We treat politicians like celebrities—paid endorsements, influencer vacations, and a team of people of varying motivations behind them completing work. On the surface level, this song is about Influencers; however, it feels like Kendrick is speaking to American culture about our obsession with identity politics.

Add a Sprinkle of Bias et Voilà

No lie, I blocked someone who said “No one asked Kendrick to watch the party die” - It annoyed me…

We say we want peace, but we want it so badly that we are willing to achieve it using the least peace-producing means. I imagine myself dropping an ice cream cone and my aunt saying I wanted it too badly. The most impressive and admirable aspect of how Kendrick writes and performs this song is that he audibly and continually opts out of the most draining parts of our culture—the parts we’re exposed to each and every time we decide to share our talents widely. Why have we tied something as inherent to the human spirit as socializing with profiteering? Is every party more accurately a paid promotional event?

“Walk that man down” reminds me instantly of 45 and the alleged attempt against his life where he was shot in the ear. If he would have died, would it be a tragedy or would we have employed the most effective and efficient solution to remedy American politics’ cancerous growth?

When he didn’t die, I thought to myself that the event must have been rigged to play out as it did. As an American myself, I know much of our world is staged… and so I thought: if the performance were real and the shooter had gotten THAT close without alarming anyone, then he must have been steady and intentional enough to execute the task, thus shouldn’t have missed the shot. Obvious trope and plot failure on the writer’s part. Although logically flawed and cold, these thoughts aren’t an uncommon sentiment. They demonstrate how deeply warped American values have become in modern society. I’m reminded of the since renamed episode of The Boys, “Assassination Run.”

Two-Party System and Cancel Culture

Much like cancel culture, the two-party system fosters an environment where opposing views are not just challenged, but annihilated. Kendrick’s lyrics, which reflect his frustration with the false narratives and manipulation we see in society, could easily describe the political landscape. Our patience for diversity of thought has waned. Instead, Americans align themselves with one side and cut off those who stand on the other.

Think of the Drake and Kendrick divide—people pick a favorite and shut out the other, much like voters align with a political party and block out dissenting opinions. The result is a culture where people are defined not by their complex views but by the simple binary of left or right. Even I’m guilty of choosing sides and blocking Drake’s fans for peace of mind during the height of their feud.

We’ve seen how this manifests in politics. The growing divide between Republicans and Democrats in public spaces (virtual and physical) leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election has further entrenched political polarization. Rather than discussing nuanced ideas, we shut down conversations. Voters are forced to choose between two options that often don’t fully represent their views, much like Kendrick describes the superficial influencers who “parade in gluttony without giving truth to the youth.” It’s a scathing indictment of the hollow choices we face as voters — often two candidates who are more concerned with winning than governing.

Limited Representation and Marginalized Voices

Kendrick’s lyrics paint a picture of subdued rage as marginalized voices are pushed aside — “They don’t hate me, they hate the man that I represent; the type of man that never [expletive] cause I want a favor.” — bold words in a system built to reward allegiances and the pursuit of riches, where “if you ain’t one of ours, bad news.” Similarly, the two-party system silences those who don’t fit into its narrow mold.

Critics of the system argue that it fails to represent the diversity of America. The two major parties dominate the political landscape, leaving independent candidates and third parties with little chance of success. Moreover, with so much required of us from modern American life, it's hard to make time to get to know each candidate. There are about 345,790,382 of us and counting.

The lack of diversity in our political system (in combination with and because of) the diversity of our melting pot leads to a lack of genuine and thoughtful support. Voters become disengaged when they do not see themselves represented and when they note that their country's governing system doesn't work as described for all participants. This implicit understanding of the inequity and corrupt motivations present in American leadership is why seeing the likes of Jasmine Crocket and Ketanji Brown Jackson is revolutionary and profoundly impactful for Americans. It is also why MAGA supporters believe the America they know has been in decline and why they so strongly believe it needs readjustment.

Similarly, in Kendrick’s song, we hear echoes of this marginalization. He raps about “corporate guys” and “rappers that report the lies,” calling out the figures who dominate and manipulate the system for their own gain. Like the influencers in Kendrick’s song, political figures often prioritize their own power over genuine representation of the people. There’s no better example than 45. It’s no wonder voters feel disillusioned—just as Kendrick feels disillusioned with the “party,” so too do many of us feel disillusioned with the current state of American politics. I hate to hear people disregard their voting privileges, but I get tired too, so I understand the fatigue behind the sentiment.

Polarization and Gridlock: Us vs. Them

Kendrick’s lyrics illustrate a world that thrives on division and hostility. When he says, “It’s love but tough love, sometimes gotta result in violence,” it reminds me of the zero-sum nature of our two-party system. If you haven’t heard of "game theory" or need a refresher on how it works, I recommend "What Game Theory Reveals About Life, The Universe, and Everything" by Vertasium, which dissects the results of a programmed example by two computer scientists.

In game theory, the idea of a zero-sum game means that for one side to win, the other must lose—a concept that perfectly mirrors our political environment. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue, politicians are locked in a battle where each party seeks to maximize its gains at the expense of the other. This all-or-nothing approach leaves no room for collaboration or compromise. Political discourse in the U.S. is now about winning and losing rather than finding common ground. The result is gridlock, where nothing gets done because both sides are too busy fighting to listen to each other.

The two-party system has turned politics into a spectacle, much like the flashy but hollow “influencers” Kendrick criticizes. We are trapped in an “us vs. them” mentality, where compromise is seen as weakness. This polarization fosters division and creates a system where, as Kendrick says, the party is “dead,” but no one knows how to move forward. That’s why seeing Republican and Democratic leaders coming together at this year’s Democratic National Convention to endorse Kamala is historic and progressive. Take, for example, TIME reporting on Adam Kinzinger's (Republican) speech at the DNC.

Time to Let the Part(ies) Die

As we approach the next election, it’s clear that the two-party system no longer serves us. Much like Kendrick’s frustration with influencers and the broken systems around him, we must acknowledge that the political system is “too wicked to apologize” and move toward something better. Our Supreme Court voted that “former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts that fall within their “exclusive sphere of constitutional authority” and are presumptively entitled to immunity for all official acts.” because they are corrupt. We do not need a king. However, I think it’s fair to note that we don’t have to burn it all down, we only need to burn what doesn’t serve us - like a controlled fire to keep vegatation healthy, but the structure of our country.

Opposition to America’s two-party system isn’t new, and the criticisms are many —limited representation, polarization, disproportionate power distribution, and the influence of money in politics— to name a few. Just as Kendrick calls for the end of the “party,” it’s time for us to reconsider the way we choose our leaders.

We need to embrace alternatives like ranked-choice voting and proportional representation, systems that allow for a broader range of voices and encourage genuine collaboration. Only then can we hope to build a political system that represents the diverse and complex society we live in.

“burn it down to build it up”

Video: 400 years of monopoly. How can we win?

Let’s take a lesson from Kendrick Lamar: it’s time to let the part(ies) die.

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Time to Watch the Part(ies) Die

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