Mortal Man
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin'
I hope that my music can continue to inspire and uplift people, just as Nelson Mandela's legacy does.

Let these words be your Earth and moon, you consume every message
Take in and internalize the messages and lessons that my lyrics convey, as if they are your entire world.

As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression
In my role as an artist and leader, I acknowledge that we are all flawed and will face moments of struggle and sadness.

And with that being said, my nigga, let me ask this question
Having established these thoughts, my friend, I pose a question to you.

When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan?
When difficulties and challenges arise, will you still support and stand by me?

Won't you look to your left and right? Make sure you ask your friends
Take a moment to consider the loyalty and support of those around you, and ask them the same question.

Do you believe in me? Are you deceiving me?
Do you genuinely have faith in me, or are you pretending to support me?

Could I let you down easily, is your heart where it need to be?
If I were to disappoint you, would you be understanding, and do you have the right mindset for this journey?

Is your smile on permanent? Is your vow on lifetime?
Are you truly committed and dedicated to our cause, or is it just temporary?

Would you know where the sermon is if I died in this next line?
If my life were to end right now, would you understand the message and purpose behind my music?

If I'm tried in a court of law, if the industry cut me off
If I were to face legal troubles or lose support from the music industry,

If the government want me dead, plant cocaine in my car
If the government were to conspire against me by framing me for a crime,

Would you judge me a drug-head or see me as K. Lamar?
Would you believe the negative perception portrayed by the authorities, or truly understand my identity as Kendrick Lamar?

Or question my character and degrade me on every blog?
Would you contribute to the criticism and gossip that circulates online, questioning my integrity?

Want you to love me like Nelson, want you to hug me like Nelson
I desire the unconditional love and support that Nelson Mandela received, as a symbol of unity and compassion.

I freed you from being a slave in your mind, you're very welcome
Through my music, I seek to liberate listeners from their mental chains and offer them a sense of freedom.

You tell me my song is more than a song, it's surely a blessing
You recognize that my music transcends mere entertainment and holds a deeper, spiritual significance.

But a prophet ain't a prophet til they ask you this question
However, a true prophet or messenger of truth must pose a question that challenges individuals' loyalty and conviction.

The voice of Mandela, hope this flow stay propellin'
I hope that my voice, like Mandela's, continues to inspire and uplift others.

Let my word be your Earth and moon, you consume every message
Allow my lyrics to guide and shape your world, absorbing each and every message I communicate.

And if you riding with me, nigga
And if you are truly supporting and standing by me,

I been wrote off before, I got abandonment issues
I have experienced being disregarded and ignored in the past, resulting in a fear of being abandoned.

I hold grudges like bad judges, don't let me resent you
I tend to hold onto anger and grievances, similar to biased and unjust judges, so please don't allow me to develop resentment towards you.

That's not Nelson-like—want you to love me like Nelson
Such behavior goes against the ideals of Nelson Mandela, so I desire to be loved with the same compassion and forgiveness he embodied.

I went to Robben's Island analysing, that's where his cell is
In an effort to understand Mandela's mindset and principles, I visited Robben Island, where he was imprisoned.

So I could find clarity—like, how much you cherish me?
Through this journey, I sought clarity and a deeper understanding of how much you genuinely value and appreciate my presence.

Is this relationship a fake, or real as the heavens be?
I question the authenticity of our connection, wondering if it is as genuine and enduring as the heavens themselves.

See I got to question it all; family, friends, fans, cats, dogs
I am compelled to question every aspect of my life, including the loyalty and genuineness of family, friends, fans, and even animals.

Trees, plants, grass, how the wind blow, Murphy's Law
Even the elements of nature and the unpredictability of life itself are subject to my skepticism, as represented by Murphy's Law.

Generation X—will I ever be your ex?
As a representative of Generation X, I wonder if I will become a forgotten figure in the future, overshadowed by newer generations.

Flaws of a baby step', mauled by the mouth a bit
The flaws inherent in taking small steps towards progress are often criticized and scrutinized, causing damage to one's reputation.

Pause, put me under stress, crawled under rocks, duckin' y'all
These moments of stress and scrutiny have caused me to retreat and hide from those who would bring me down.

It's respect—but then tomorrow, put my back against the wall
Despite showing respect to others, there are instances when I find myself backed into a corner and taken advantage of.

How many leaders you said you needed then left 'em for dead?
How often have you declared your support for leaders, only to abandon and forget about them when they face challenges?

Is it Moses? Is it Huey Newton or Detroit Red?
Are the leaders you desire comparable to Moses, Huey Newton, or Detroit Red (Malcolm X)?

Is it Martin Luther? JFK? Shooter—you assassin
Do you seek leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. or JFK, or are you the person who seeks to eliminate leaders?

Is it Jackie? Is it Jesse? Oh, I know it's Michael Jackson—oh
Are Jackie Robinson or Jesse Jackson the type of leaders you admire, or is it someone like Michael Jackson?

That nigga gave us 'Billie Jean' you say he touched those kids?
Despite Michael Jackson's musical contributions, there are allegations and accusations of him engaging in inappropriate behavior with children.

The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin'
I hope that my music can continue to inspire and uplift people, just as Nelson Mandela's legacy does.

Let my word be your Earth and moon, you consume every message
Take in and internalize the messages and lessons that my lyrics convey, as if they are your entire world.

As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression
In my role as an artist and leader, I acknowledge that we are all flawed and will face moments of struggle and sadness.

And if you riding with me, nigga, let me ask this question, nigga
And if you are truly supporting and standing by me, my friend, allow me to pose this question to you.

I remember you was conflicted
I recall a time when you were torn and uncertain.

Misusing your influence
You were using your power and influence in a negative or misguided way.

Sometimes I did the same
I must admit that I, too, made similar mistakes at times.

Abusing my power, full of resentment
I allowed my position of power to corrupt me, resulting in feelings of bitterness and anger.

Resentment that turned into a deep depression
This resentment eventually transformed into a profound state of sadness and despair.

Found myself screaming in the hotel room
I reached a point where I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I found myself screaming in a hotel room.

I didn't wanna self-destruct
I desperately wanted to avoid self-destructive behavior.

The evils of Lucy was all around me
I was surrounded by temptations and negative influences, represented by the figure of 'Lucy' (a metaphorical reference to Lucifer).

So I went running for answers
In search of clarity and guidance, I sought answers to the struggles I was facing.

Until I came home
Finally, I found solace and understanding when I returned home.

But that didn't stop survivor's guilt
However, even in this newfound clarity, I continued to experience a sense of guilt for having survived while others suffered.

Going back and forth trying to convince myself the stripes I earned
Engaging in internal debates, trying to convince myself that I deserved the success and recognition I had attained.

Or maybe how A-1 my foundation was
Perhaps the success I achieved was a result of having a solid and strong foundation.

But while my loved ones was fighting the continuous war back in the city
Meanwhile, my friends and family were still struggling and battling against ongoing hardships back in the city.

I was entering a new one
I found myself entering into a different kind of struggle.

A war that was based on apartheid and discrimination
This war I found myself in was rooted in historical racial segregation and prejudice.

Made me wanna go back to the city and tell the homies what I learned
The insights I gained through my experiences made me feel compelled to return to my hometown and share my newfound knowledge with my friends.

The word was respect
The key message that emerged from my journey was the importance of mutual respect.

Just because you wore a different gang color than mine's
Although we may belong to different gangs or groups, it does not mean that we cannot show each other respect as fellow black men.

Doesn't mean I can't respect you as a black man
I am capable of respecting and honoring your identity and humanity, regardless of our differences.

Forgetting all the pain and hurt we caused each other in these streets
Let us move beyond the pain and harm we have inflicted upon each other in the past, particularly in the context of our neighborhood.

If I respect you
If I show you genuine respect,

We unify and stop the enemy from killing us
We can come together and prevent our shared enemy from causing harm and violence within our community.

But I don't know
However, I am uncertain.

I'm no mortal man
I am not an ordinary human being.

Maybe I'm just another nigga
Perhaps, in the eyes of society, I am simply another insignificant black man.

Shit and that's all I wrote
That's all I have to say for now.

I was gonna call it 'Another Nigga' but
Initially, I named this piece 'Another Nigga,' but...

It ain't really a poem, I just felt like it's something you probably could relate to
It may not fit the conventional definition of a poem, but I felt that it captures something relatable and meaningful to you.

Other than that, now that I finally got a chance to holla at you
Apart from that, now that I have this opportunity to speak with you.

I always wanted to ask you about a certain situa- about a metaphor actually
There's something I've always wanted to discuss with you, specifically regarding a metaphor.

Uh, you spoke on the ground
You mentioned something about the ground.

What you mean by that, what the ground represent?
I'm curious to understand your interpretation of this, and what symbolism the ground holds.

The ground is gonna open up and swallow the evil
In my view, the ground represents a force that will ultimately consume and eliminate all that is evil.

That's how I see it, my word is bond
That is my perspective, and I stand by it without a doubt.

I see—and the ground is the symbol for the poor people
From my perspective, the ground serves as a representation of those who are marginalized and impoverished.

The poor people is gonna open up this whole world and swallow up the rich people
The marginalized and disadvantaged individuals will ultimately rise up and overcome the wealthy and privileged.

'Cause the rich people gonna be so fat
Metaphorically, the wealthy and privileged will become so consumed by their own greed and excess.

And they gonna be so appetizing, you know what I'm saying wealthy, appetizing
Due to their extravagance and material wealth, they will become tempting targets to the less fortunate.

The poor gonna be so poor, and hungry
Conversely, the poor will continue to suffer from poverty and hunger.

Right
Indeed.

You know what I'm saying, it's gonna be like
You understand what I mean, it will be a situation akin to...

You know what I'm saying, it's gonna be
As I mentioned before...

There might, there might be some cannibalism out this muh-fu-
There is a possibility, an extreme metaphorical suggestion, that cannibalism might occur in such dire circumstances.

They might eat the rich, you know what I'm saying?
In a hyperbolic sense, the impoverished could metaphorically 'devour' the wealthy.

Aite, so let me ask you this then
Alright, let me pose this question to you now.

Do you see yourself as somebody that's rich or
Do you envision yourself as a wealthy individual, or...

Somebody that made the best of they own opportunities?
Someone who has seized the opportunities presented to them and maximized their potential?

I see myself as a natural born hustler
I view myself as someone with an innate ability to navigate and thrive in challenging situations.

A true hustler in every sense of the word
I embody the qualities of a genuine hustler, encompassing all aspects of that identity.

I took nothin', I took the opportunities
I started with nothing but took advantage of the opportunities that came my way.

I worked at the most menial and degrading job
I began by working in low-paying and degrading positions.

And built myself up so I could get it to where I owned it
Through hard work and perseverance, I elevated myself to a position of ownership and control.

I went from having somebody managing me
I transitioned from being managed by others and took control of my own career.

To me hiring the person that works my management company
Now, I am in a position to hire individuals who work for my own management company.

I changed everything, I realized my destiny
I transformed my entire life and understood my ultimate purpose and calling.

In a matter of five years, you know what I'm saying?
Within a relatively short span of five years, if you catch my drift.

I made myself a millionaire, I made millions for a lot of people
I managed to accumulate wealth for myself and generate millions for many others.

Now it's time to make millions for myself, you know what I'm saying?
Now, my focus lies in amassing wealth for my own benefit, if you catch my drift.

I made millions for the record companies
In the past, I generated substantial profits for the record companies.

I made millions for these movie companies
Similarly, I contributed to the financial success of movie companies.

Now I make millions for, for us
But now, I prioritize making millions of dollars for myself and the community.

And through your different avenues of success
Considering the various paths to success you've explored,

How would you say you managed to keep a level of sanity?
How have you maintained your mental well-being and stability?

By my faith in God, by my faith in the game
I have found solace and strength in my belief in God and my passion for my craft.

And by my faith in 'all good things come to those that stay true'
Moreover, I have faith in the idea that remaining genuine and authentic will lead to positive outcomes.

You know what I'm saying? And and it was happening to me for a reason
You understand what I'm saying? All the success and positive experiences I've encountered were not mere coincidences, but rather for a specific purpose.

You know what I'm saying, I was noticing, shit
I became aware, you know what I'm saying, of certain things...

I was, I was punching the right buttons and it was happening
I realized that I was making the right moves and taking actions that were leading to successful outcomes.

So it's no problem, you know
Therefore, I don't perceive any challenges or obstacles.

I mean, it's a problem but I'm not finna let them know
Of course, there may be external challenges, but I refuse to let them affect me.

I'm finna go straight through
I am determined to forge ahead and overcome any obstacles that come my way, without hesitation.

Would you consider yourself a fighter at heart or
Do you perceive yourself as someone with a fighting spirit, who is always ready to take on challenges, or...

Somebody that only reacts when their back is against the wall?
Are you someone who only responds and fights back when pushed to the brink?

Shit, I like to think that at every opportunity I've ever been, uh
Personally, I like to believe that in every situation I've encountered...

Threatened with resistance, it's been met with resistance
Whenever I have faced opposition or resistance, I have always stood my ground and fought back.

And not only me but, it goes down my family tree
This fighting spirit extends beyond just me and is present throughout my family lineage.

You know what I'm saying, it's in my veins to fight back
You understand that this resilience and determination to fight back is deeply ingrained in me, part of my very essence.

Alright well
In conclusion,

How long will you think it take before niggas be like
How much time do you believe it will take before people come to the realization and say...

"We fighting a war, I'm fighting a war I can't win
"We are engaged in a seemingly unwinnable war, and I am struggling to make any significant progress.

And I wanna lay it all down"
I am tempted to give up and relinquish all efforts.

In this country, a black man only have like
In this country, black men are only given a limited period, spanning...

5 years we can exhibit maximum strength
Around five years, during which we have the physical and mental capacity to demonstrate our full potential.

And that's right now while you a teenager, while you still strong
This period occurs during adolescence, when one is still physically strong and brimming with vitality.

While you still wanna lift weights, while you still wanna shoot back
It is a time when you have the desire to build your physical strength and engage in confrontations, if necessary.

'Cause once you turn 30 it's like
However, once you reach the age of 30, it seems as though...

They take the heart and soul out of a man
Society strips away the passion and vigor from a black man's spirit.

Out of a black man, in this country
Specifically, they target and attack the essence of a black man's identity in this country.

And you don't wanna fight no more
As a result, you lose the motivation and desire to continue fighting.

And if you don't believe me, you can look around
If you doubt the truth in my words, simply observe the world around you.

You don't see no loud mouth 30-year old motherfuckers
You won't find any outspoken and rebellious 30-year-olds who are still willing to challenge the status quo.

That's crazy, because me being one of your offsprings
This situation is disheartening, especially considering that I am one of your descendants.

Of the legacy you left behind, I can truly tell you that
I can honestly attest to the impact of the legacy you have passed down to me.

There's nothing but turmoil goin' on so, I wanted to ask you
Our society is in a state of chaos and unrest, and I had a burning question that I wanted to ask you.

What you think is the future for me and my generation today?
What do you envision the future holds for me and my generation in the present day?

I think that niggas is tired of grabbin' shit out the stores
I believe that people are exhausted from resorting to theft and looting to survive.

And next time it's a riot it's gonna be like, uh, bloodshed
If another riot were to break out, it will likely escalate into violent conflict and bloodshed.

For real, I don't think America know that
In all seriousness, I don't believe that America truly comprehends this reality.

I think America think we was just playing
I believe that America perceives our actions as mere playful acts of rebellion.

And it's gonna be some more playing but
While there may be some individuals engaging in trivial behavior,...

It ain't gonna be no playing
...the overall atmosphere will not be one of amusement or child's play.

It's gonna be murder, you know what I'm saying?
It will involve serious violence and loss of life, if you understand what I'm trying to convey.

It's gonna be like, like Nat Turner, 1831, up in this motherfucker
It will resemble a situation similar to Nat Turner's rebellion in 1831, bringing about a widespread uprising.

You know what I'm saying, it's gonna happen
I hope you understand that this is not mere speculation—it will inevitably occur.

That's crazy man
It's incredible to contemplate, my friend.

In my opinion the only hope that we kinda
From my perspective, the only glimmer of hope is that...

Have left is music and vibrations
...music and the power of vibrations.

Lot a people don't understand how important it is, you know
Many people fail to grasp the true significance of music and its profound impact.

Sometimes I can like, get behind a mic
At times, when I step up to the microphone...

And I don't know what type of energy I'ma push out
...I am unaware of the energy and emotions that will emanate from within me.

Or where it comes from
It is unclear to me where this energy originates.

Trip me out sometimes
It astonishes and bewilders me occasionally.

Because it's spirits, we ain't even really rappin'
This energy and power derive from spiritual forces, transcending the act of simply rapping.

We just letting our dead homies tell stories for us
Rather, it feels as though our deceased friends and loved ones are using us as conduits to share their stories and experiences.

I wanted to read one last thing to you
Before we conclude, I would like to read something to you.

It's actually something a good friend had wrote
This particular piece was written by a close friend of mine.

Describing my world
It beautifully encapsulates the essence of my reality.

"The caterpillar is a prisoner to the streets that conceived it
The caterpillar is born into an environment that suffocates and restricts it,

Its only job is to eat or consume everything around it
Its primary purpose is to feed on and consume everything in its immediate surroundings.

In order to protect itself from this mad city
This behavior serves as a defense mechanism against the chaos and treachery of the city.

While consuming its environment
As it engulfs its environment,

The caterpillar begins to notice ways to survive
The caterpillar starts to learn strategies for survival.

One thing it noticed is how much the world shuns him
One significant observation it makes is how the world rejects and ignores it.

But praises the butterfly
Yet, the butterfly receives admiration and reverence.

The butterfly represents the talent
The butterfly symbolizes innate talents and abilities.

The thoughtfulness and the beauty within the caterpillar
It embodies the intellect and beauty latent within the caterpillar.

But having a harsh outlook on life
But due to the harshness of the world,

The caterpillar sees the butterfly as weak
The caterpillar perceives the butterfly's beauty and elegance as signs of weakness.

And figures out a way to pimp it to his own benefits
Therefore, it devises a scheme to exploit the butterfly's qualities for its own gain.

Already surrounded by this mad city
Being situated in this chaotic and unpredictable city,

The caterpillar goes to work on the cocoon
The caterpillar diligently crafts its protective cocoon.

Which institutionalizes him
This cocoon serves to confine and restrict it further.

He can no longer see past his own thoughts
Gradually, the caterpillar becomes so absorbed in its own thoughts and mindset...

He's trapped
...that it becomes trapped within its own mental limitations.

When trapped inside these walls certain ideas take root, such as
Restricted by these internal confines, the caterpillar finds itself susceptible to certain ideologies and beliefs, such as...

Going home, and bringing back new concepts to this mad city
...the desire to return to one's roots and introduce novel ideas to the chaotic environment of the city.

The result?
What follows is...

Wings begin to emerge, breaking the cycle of feeling stagnant
Eventually, wings begin to take shape, disrupting the cycle of feeling trapped and stagnant.

Finally free, the butterfly sheds light on situations
Once liberated, the butterfly is able to bring clarity and shed light on various situations.

That the caterpillar never considered
It reveals insights and perspectives that the caterpillar had never contemplated before.

Ending the internal struggle
This transformative process puts an end to the caterpillar's internal struggle.

Although the butterfly and caterpillar are completely different
Despite their apparent differences, the butterfly and caterpillar are, in fact, interconnected and parts of a whole.

They are one and the same
They are essentially unified and inseparable.

Pac?
Are you there, Pac?

Pac?
Pac?

Pac?!
Pac?!