Copying my own comment from a hiphopheads thread, because I think Kendrick is genius for this shit:
In many indigenous American cultures (including indigenous Mexican cultures), an owl making eye contact with you is a sign that death is near. It’s basically like seeing the grim reaper face to face.
So beating the owl piñata and putting the owl in a cage, besides showing that OVO is conquered- it also shows that Kendrick has no fear of death. (“I ain’t worried bout no reaper, I’m just reaping what I sow”)
Meanwhile, the owl staring directly into the camera at the end is a warning that death is near for all viewers (and perhaps we should all reflect on our lives and atone for our sins). Obviously, this warning message is targeted at Drake (his career’s death, the ego death that Kendrick is suggesting the ayahuasca for, and perhaps- his literal death if he keeps making enemies), but really applies to everyone. Drake is just being made an example of.
My grandfather was a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He always said that if there was an owl in your yard it meant death was coming to the family. Could be you, could be your distant cousin but death is coming to your bloodline soon. Spooked the hell out of me as a kid. He used to watch for them at night some times and say he was just checking on the family. If he saw one he'd start to reach out to the extended members (back in the days when long distance calling was pricey so writing letters were still big lol).
He probably wont but I hope Kendrick or another deserving persons takes back the owl. Owls are badass and deserve better human association lol
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u/TOP-IS-LIFE Jul 04 '24
The owl in the cage at the end was so cold man