B.o.B

The main character, Meursalt, from Albert Camus’ book The Stranger, portrays existentialist characteristics much like the lyrics in the song The Kids written by B.o.B. Meursalt believes his life is full of facticity and he is simply along for the ride. He also does not have the ability to express his emotional feelings, but rather focuses on his physical attraction to life. B.o.B creates an uptempo, pop beat throughout The Kids and the lyrics show perseverance. Bobby Simmons tenor voice expresses his will to persevere through life. Janelle Monae’s cameo adds a sweet melody in contrast to B.o.B’s pop beat. She raises questions that make the listener think about how they will express themself in the world. This song adequately reveals how although life is difficult and nothing is guaranteed, you must endeavor in your own passions and take responsibility for your life. Throughout Meursalt’s entire narration of the story, he is completely calm even when what’s being discussed or shown is a violent, angry scene which proves how he can make it through life even when it’s hard.

Facticity is defined by being thrown into situations we have no control over. Meursalt falls under this definition because he comes to the realization that there is not much he can do once something has already happened. For example after his mother was buried he states, “it occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over, that maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that really nothing had changed” (Camus 24). As well as showing how he doesn’t care about his absolute system of life, he again shows his lack of emotional connection when he makes the claim “that really nothing had changed.” The normal reaction to someone losing their mother would be mournful, but Meursalt acts as if the tragic event had never occurred. His careless personality is shown again after his arrest for the murder of an Arab. He is required to appoint an attorney for his case but is confused by it because he believes what is done is done and he is clearly guilty. He states “I said I thought my case was pretty simple” (Camus 63). It is evident that Meursalt doesn’t care about the mess his is in because it’s just facticity.  Meursalt is taking responsibility for his actions just like B.o.B expresses how you have to accept your faults and move on. In the sixth stanza he tells us “It’s funny because looking back on the past that I had/ all my days, in the streets trying to prove that I was bad.” This clearly shows how B.o.B took responsibility for his past and has moved on from it. B.o.B’s belief in factiticy is shown in the chorus of his song, “We’re trapped inside the matrix/forced to play our hand.” B.o.B realizes he is trapped in society and wants to break free of his absolute system and in order to do that, he must overcome all obstacles.

Meursalt is in a relationship that is strictly physical from his perspective, with another character, Marie. His absurd ways leave Marie confused. For instance, when Marie asks him to marry her he narrates to the reader, “It didn’t mean anything but that I probably didn’t love her” (Camus 41). His ability to show no sign of emotional connection is relatable to the lyrics in the ninth stanza, “how can he ever give love/ when no love is in his heart?” Meursalt’s inexpressible personality is shown again when he and his neighbor are conversing. His neighbor, Salamano, gives his condolences about his mother passing away and he again tell us “He said he supposed I must be very sad since Maman died, I didn’t say anything” (Camus 45). Like in B.o.B’s song, Meursalt has no “love” in his heart therefore, he is incapable of expressing his emotions to anyone which is why he relies on his physical attractions to get him through life.

Towards the end of the novel when Meursalt’s life is coming to an end, he comes to the realization that there is no fate. When his death sentence beings to approach he demonstrates his acceptance with death. He states, “Since we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how don’t matter… I had to accept the rejection of my appeal” (Camus 114). Meursalt forces himself to be okay with the fact that his life is ending because he is in control of his own destiny. Towards the end of The Kids the lyrics demonstrate how you control your actions. In the 11^th stanza, “Will you run or will you share your light/tell a story of the live and try?” proves that B.o.B believes only you can determine the outcome. It is evident that both Meursalt and B.o.B are existentialists because of their absurd ways of excluding themselves from the norms of society.