The Heart Pt. 2
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Sitting in the studio thinking about which mood would go
Contemplating which mindset to adopt in studio

Right now, freestyle or write down, whatever
Deciding whether to improvise or write down thoughts

It still'll come up clever
Regardless, the idea will be clever

I just need to free my thoughts, and Lord knows that I know better
Releasing thoughts and acknowledging knowledge

But I ain't perfect, I ain't seen too many churches
Acknowledging imperfection and lack of religious exposure

Or know them testament verses
Not being familiar with biblical texts

You should either hear me now or go deaf
Listen to the message or disregard it entirely

Or end up dead, die trying and know death
Risk death for a cause

Might end up dead, swallow blood, swallow my breath
Could potentially die for the message I'm conveying

Fuck a funeral, just make sure you pay my music respect nigga
Disregard a formal funeral, but respect the music

I mean that from the bottom of my heart
The message is sincere

You see my art, is all I have
Music is the artist's only possession

And victory tastes sweet, even when the enemy can throw salt
Success is still satisfying even in the face of opposition

Still knock them out the park like a fucking tow car
Dominating and succeeding with ease

Let bygones be bygones, but where I'm from
Forgive and forget, but in my environment

We buy guns and more guns, to give to the young
Gun violence is prevalent and weapons are easily accessible

I'm living the life of a nigga trapped nigga
Living a life of entrapment in a certain environment

Inside the system all you envision is trap niggas
The system perpetuates the trap lifestyle

My uncle doing life inside prison he wasn't wrapped too tight
Uncle is serving a life sentence due to poor judgement/mental state

He told me rap about life, not rap niggas
Encouragement to rap about life experiences

That's why I'm shaking my head when you rap dissin'
Disapproving of diss tracks

My stomach start turning, my nerves get to twitching
Reacting negatively to negative music

I start evaluating, then my final intuition
Reflecting then trusting intuition

Is that you wishing a come up, would just come up
Suspecting ulterior motives behind the music

We used to beefing over turf, fuck beefing over a verse
Past violent conflicts over territory are unimportant compared to lyrical battles

Niggas dying, motherfuck a double entendre
No subtleties about death

And this is Comp-ton, lions in the land of the triumph
Embracing the harsh realities of Compton

Wrap saran our defiance, ban our alliance
Overcoming obstacles with collective resilience

Put burners in the hands, of the black man
Weaponizing the black community

One hood with 20 four-four's like a cloned Kobe Bryant
A formidable force capable of handling adversity

You probably heard I wanna be heard and wonder who I am
Wanting to be recognized for the music

You probably even listen to Faith, and think I know Zion
Assuming the artist is religious based on their music

But really I'm just caught in the loop, of understanding the truth
Dealing with the complexities of reality

Because it seem like it's always clashing with science
Science and truth often contradict each other

I got a big fear of flying
Fear of failure

My future so bright I'd probably go blind before I blink twice, I ain't lying
Anticipating a prosperous future

I swear to God half of ya'll just don't know Kendrick
The public doesn't really know the artist

The school of hardknocks, we was the first ones in attendance
Grew up in a tough environment

You walking down the block, he got shot, you are no eye witness
Living in areas of high gun violence

You just mind your business
Avoiding trouble

You just turn your head, kneel down and then tie your tennis
Ignoring the violence and focusing on mundane activities

It's kind of scary ain't it?
Acknowledging the fear and danger

You can't act like no bitch, that only got Tyler Perry famous
Taking action and not being passive

Just let me explain this, why you pick up that stainless
Justifying violence as self-defense

Cuz your pops wasn't anxious
Environmental and genetic factors may lead to violent tendencies

To see you and you hate it
Feeling neglected and angry

So much you probably had your burner tucked at graduation
Carrying weapons in anticipation of violence

So if you see him on 'em bleachers then you kill him
Violent retribution

Facing 25 to life with a murder charge
Consequences of violent actions

Your enemies was the prey and now you pray to God
Recognizing the effects of violence on both sides

I pray these bars get farther than Compton
Hoping the music spreads beyond his immediate surroundings

And if our record never break, I still won't break my promise
Commitment to the message regardless of mainstream success

I promise to keep it honest
No pretense, just honesty in the music

Secret society all we ask is trust
Expecting trust from his inner circle

And all we lack is communication like service sucks
Lack of communication despite trust

The people scared of annihilation when Kingdom Come
Fear of the unknown and the end of the world

And I'm like
The artist's perspective on the topic

The Kendrick Lamar OD in less than a month, alright?
A prediction of success in the industry

Gotta keep it pushing
Keep moving forward and chasing success

Can't let the government tell me how my future looking
Refusing to be oppressed by the government

I'm on Rosecrans and Central trying to duck the central bookins'
Dodging police surveillance

If the fucking pigs get behind me then you know I'm bookin'
Fleeing from the police

Never will I surrender
Preserving through adversity

I been a warrior when I came out my mom's placenta
Born a fighter

In the gutter lane like I'm Master Splinter
Navigating rough terrain like a ninja

How splendid, I guess my project had did it
Feeling accomplished about the music

Got all these niggas approaching they mixtapes different
Influencing other artists to change their approach

They said seven tracks, I said fifteen
Going against established norms

Called it an EP, they said I'm trippin'
Defying classification

But little did they know, I'm tryna' change the rules
Revolutionizing the industry

That we've been confined to, so the corporate won't make decisions
Breaking free from corporate control

Uppity bitches, handling business
Asserting power and control

Killing our dreams, stealing our vision
Oppression stunting creativity and growth

Out in Haiti, adolescents barely have a home
Highlighting global poverty and lack of resources

In L.A everybody think they fucking on
The illusion of prosperity and success in L.A

Hop on twitter, perpetrate we doing big shit
Exaggerating success on social media

Who we hanging with and bragging about the iPhone
Focusing on material possessions and social status

I swear to God most of y'all cats just don't know Kendrick
The public doesn't really know the artist

You barely know yourself, so I guess most of y'all should be offended
Calling out lack of self-awareness

Ain't doing this for my health I'm tryna' purchase my momma dem' Benzes
Motivation to provide for his family

Occupying my time with riches, justifying my time ambitions
Using wealth to validate his accomplishments

Just to coincide, just to go inside, plus we idolize why we living
Reflecting on the human condition

Look the mastermind, took the master's mind
Turning the tables and seizing power

Just the perfect time, just to master mine
Seizing the perfect opportunity

Just to match the grind with precision
Working hard and smart

Cause of you we are Overly Dedicated
Grateful to supporters for giving him a platform to succeed