
The Genius translation of Kendrick Lamar's "Peekaboo" featuring AzChike and Dody6 reflects the song's aggressive and boastful tone, focusing on translating the slang and imagery while maintaining the raw energy. The background behind the translation likely involves several key considerations:
Translating Slang and Figurative Language: The song is heavily reliant on slang, both within the context of street life and the playful use of "peekaboo" as a menacing motif. Accurately conveying the intended meaning and tone of phrases like "eighty points like a Kobe game" (referencing basketball scores and Kobe Bryant's prowess), "7.62 will have them ironing" (referencing a rifle caliber and implying violence), and the various boasts about cars, money, and women required careful consideration to ensure the Spanish equivalent captured the same impact. The translators likely researched relevant Spanish slang to find fitting equivalents that wouldn't sound unnatural or lose the intended meaning.
Maintaining the Aggressive Tone: The song's overall mood is one of braggadocio and threat. The translators needed to ensure that the Spanish lyrics retained the aggressive and confrontational energy of the original. The use of strong verbs and potentially aggressive vocabulary in Spanish was crucial.
Cultural Context: Translating references to specific American cultural touchstones (Kobe Bryant, specific locations, etc.) requires either finding equivalent cultural references in Spanish-speaking contexts or explaining the reference in a way that retains context without disrupting the flow.
Flow and Rhythm: A good translation not only conveys meaning but also preserves the rhythm and flow of the original lyrics. This is particularly important in rap, where the sonic quality is crucial. The translators would have aimed for a Spanish translation that could be rapped with the same cadence as the English version.
Audience Consideration: The translation is intended for Spanish-speaking fans of Kendrick Lamar. Therefore, the translators likely aimed for a version that is both accurate and accessible to a Spanish-speaking audience, understanding the nuances of how slang and imagery are perceived within that cultural context.
In essence, the translation wasn't just a word-for-word substitution. It was a process of carefully choosing the right words and phrases to recreate the song's atmosphere, meaning, and impact in Spanish. The repeated "De qué están hablando? No están hablando de nada" (What are they talking about? They're not talking about anything) serves a double purpose: it's a dismissal of gossip and rivals, while also maintaining a rhythmic hook that carries the song. The translators' success depends on how well they managed to balance these competing demands.