Money Trees
Kendrick Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Me and my niggas tryna get it, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Hit this house lick tell me is you with it, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Home invasion was persuasive (Was persuasive, was persuasive)
From nine to five I know its vacant, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Dreams of living life like rappers do (like rappers do, like rappers do)
Back when condom wrappers wasn't cool (They wasn't cool, they wasn't cool)
I fucked Sherane then went to tell my bros (Tell my bros, tell my bros
Then Usher Raymond "Let it Burn" came on ("Let it Burn" came on, "Let it Burn" came on)

Hot sauce all in our Top Ramen, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Parked the car and then we start rhyming, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
The only thing we had to free our mind (Free our mind, free our mind)
Then freeze that verse when we see dollar signs (Dollar signs, dollar signs)
You looking like an easy come up, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
A silver spoon I know you come from, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
And that's a lifestyle that we never knew (We never knew, we never knew)
Go at a reverend for the revenue

It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
Pick your poison tell me what you do
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever (The one in front of the gun forever)
And I been hustlin' all day, this a way, that a way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel (now, now)
A dollar might, just fuck your main bitch that's just how I feel (now)
A dollar might, say fuck them niggas that you came with that's just how I feel (now, now)
A dollar might, just make that lane switch that's just how I feel (now)
A dollar might, turn to a million and we all rich that's just how I feel

Dreams of living life like rappers do (Like rappers do, like rappers do)
Bump that new E-40 at the school (Way at the school, way at the school)
You know big ballin with my homies (My homies)
Earl Stevens had us thinking rational (Thinking rational, that's rational)
Back to reality we poor, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Another casualty at war, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Two bullets in my uncle Tony head (My Tony head, my Tony head)
He said one day I'd be on tour, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
That Louie's Burger never be the same (Won't be the same, won't be the same)
A louis belt will never ease that pain (Won't ease that pain, won't ease that pain)
But I'ma purchase when that day is jerkin' (That day is jerkin', day is jerkin')
Pull off at Church's with Pirelli's skirtin' (Pirelli's skirtin', Pirelli's skirtin')
Gang signs out the window, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Hoping all of em offend you, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
They say your hood is a pot of gold (A pot of gold, a pot of gold)
And we gone crash it when nobodies home

It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
Pick your poison tell me what you do
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever (The one in front of the gun forever)
And I been hustlin' all day, this a way, that a way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel (now, now)
A dollar might, just fuck your main bitch that's just how I feel (now)
A dollar might, say fuck them niggas that you came with that's just how I feel (now, now)
A dollar might, just make that lane switch that's just how I feel (now)
A dollar might, turn to a million and we all rich that's just how I feel

Be the last one out to get this dough? No way
Love one of you bucket headed hoes? No way
Hit the streets, then we break the code? No way
Hit the brakes, when they on patrol? No way

Be the last one out to get this dough? No way
Love one of you bucket headed hoes? No way
Hit the streets, then we break the code? No way
Hit the brakes, when they on patrol? No way

Imagine Rock up in the projects where them niggas pick your pockets
Santa Claus don't miss them stockings, liquor spilling pistols popping
Baking soda YOLA whipping, ain't no turkey on Thanksgiving
My homeboy just domed a nigga, I just hope the Lord forgive him
Pots with cocaine residue, everyday I'm hustlin'
What else is a thug to do when you eatin' cheese from the government
Gotta provide for my daughter 'n' 'em, get the fuck up out my way, bitch
Got that drum and got them bands just like a parade, bitch
Drop that work up in the bushes, hope them boys don't see my stash
If they do tell the truth, this the last time you might see my ass
From the gardens where the grass ain't cut, them serpents lurking blood
Bitches selling pussy, niggas selling drugs but it's all good
Broken promises, steal yo watch and tell you what time it is
Take your J's and tell you to kick it where a footlocker is
In the streets with a heater under my dungarees
Dreams of me getting shaded under a money tree

It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
Pick your poison tell me what you do
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever (The one in front of the gun forever)
And I been hustlin' all day, this a way, that a way

Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of "Money Trees", Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock are painting a picture of their lives, their dreams, and what it takes to achieve them. The lyrics describe how they and their friends are trying to make money and improve their lives by any means necessary. The line "Me and my niggas tryna get it, ya bish" suggests that they are willing to do whatever it takes, even if it's illegal, to achieve their dreams. The line "Hit this house lick, tell me is you with it, ya bish" refers to the idea of breaking into a house and stealing money, inviting others to participate in the crime. The line "Dreams of living life like rappers do" suggests that they want to live in luxury and with the fame of a famous rapper.

The chorus of the song is about the consequences of the characters' actions. The line "Everybody gon' respect the shooter, but the one in front of the gun lives forever" refers to the fact that the people who commit crimes or use guns will receive the respect and admiration of their peers, but they will also have to live with the consequences of their actions for the rest of their lives. The lines "Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel" and "A dollar might turn to a million and we all rich, that's just how I feel" suggest that the characters believe that money is the key to success and happiness.

The second verse of the song further explores the realities of life in the hood. Kendrick and Jay Rock describe the dangers of gang violence and the drug trade, weaving in stories of their personal experiences with these things. Ultimately, the lyrics of "Money Trees" paint a picture of the struggles and dreams of those growing up in impoverished, violent neighborhoods.

Line by Line Meaning

Me and my niggas tryna get it, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
My friends and I are working hard to achieve success, my friend.

Hit this house lick tell me is you with it, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Participate in this burglary and let me know if you're on board, my friend.

Home invasion was persuasive (Was persuasive, was persuasive)
Our break-in was successful and effective, my friend.

From nine to five I know its vacant, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
I know the house is empty during working hours, my friend.

Dreams of living life like rappers do (like rappers do, like rappers do)
Aspiring to have a lifestyle similar to that of successful rappers.

Back when condom wrappers wasn't cool (They wasn't cool, they wasn't cool)
In the past, using condoms was not seen as fashionable or popular.

I fucked Sherane then went to tell my bros (Tell my bros, tell my bros
I had sex with Sherane and then informed my friends about it.

Then Usher Raymond "Let it Burn" came on ("Let it Burn" came on, "Let it Burn" came on)
Then Usher Raymond's song "Let it Burn" started playing.

Hot sauce all in our Top Ramen, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
We add hot sauce to our cheap instant noodles, my friend.

Parked the car and then we start rhyming, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
We parked the car and then began rapping, my friend.

The only thing we had to free our mind (Free our mind, free our mind)
Rapping was the only way we could escape and express ourselves.

Then freeze that verse when we see dollar signs (Dollar signs, dollar signs)
We pause and stop rapping when we realize the potential for profits.

You looking like an easy come up, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
You appear to be an easy target for exploitation or manipulation, my friend.

A silver spoon I know you come from, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
I know you come from a privileged background, my friend.

And that's a lifestyle that we never knew (We never knew, we never knew)
We were never familiar with that kind of lifestyle, my friend.

Go at a reverend for the revenue
We confront a religious leader to secure financial gains.

It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
It's a choice between pursuing pleasure (represented by Halle Berry) or seeking spiritual salvation (hallelujah).

Pick your poison tell me what you do
Choose your path, let me know what your decision is.

Everybody gon' respect the shooter
Everyone will have admiration for the one holding the gun.

But the one in front of the gun lives forever (The one in front of the gun forever)
The person facing the gun is the one who will have a lasting impact or be remembered.

And I been hustlin' all day, this a way, that a way
I have been working hard and putting in effort in various directions all day.

Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Navigating through narrow passages and hidden routes just to express my feelings.

Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel (now, now)
Financial success provides security and comfort, and that's my current perspective.

A dollar might, just fuck your main bitch that's just how I feel (now)
Money can lead to experiencing sexual encounters with your significant other.

A dollar might, say fuck them niggas that you came with that's just how I feel (now, now)
Money can cause someone to abandon their friends or colleagues.

A dollar might, just make that lane switch that's just how I feel (now)
Money can motivate someone to change their path or priorities.

A dollar might, turn to a million and we all rich that's just how I feel
Even a small amount of money can grow and lead to prosperity for all of us.

Bump that new E-40 at the school (Way at the school, way at the school)
Play the latest song by E-40 loudly at school.

You know big ballin with my homies (My homies)
Engaging in extravagant and flashy behavior with my friends.

Earl Stevens had us thinking rational (Thinking rational, that's rational)
The alcohol Earl Stevens (E-40) produces made us think more logically.

Back to reality we poor, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Returning to the harsh truth that we are financially struggling, my friend.

Another casualty at war, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Another person from our community has suffered due to the ongoing struggle, my friend.

Two bullets in my uncle Tony head (My Tony head, my Tony head)
My uncle Tony was shot twice in the head.

He said one day I'd be on tour, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
My uncle Tony said that one day I would be successful and touring, my friend.

That Louie's Burger never be the same (Won't be the same, won't be the same)
The Louie's Burger restaurant will never be as it was before.

A louis belt will never ease that pain (Won't ease that pain, won't ease that pain)
Owning a Louis Vuitton belt will not alleviate the emotional pain.

But I'ma purchase when that day is jerkin' (That day is jerkin', day is jerkin')
But I will buy a Louis Vuitton belt when I can afford it.

Pull off at Church's with Pirelli's skirtin' (Pirelli's skirtin', Pirelli's skirtin')
Drive away from Church's Chicken restaurant while impressively maneuvering on Pirelli tires.

Gang signs out the window, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Displaying gang signs out of the car window, my friend.

Hoping all of em offend you, ya bish (Ya bish, ya bish)
Desiring to provoke or anger everyone who sees it, my friend.

They say your hood is a pot of gold (A pot of gold, a pot of gold)
They claim your neighborhood is full of wealth and opportunities.

And we gone crash it when nobodies home
We will take advantage of the situation and make our move when nobody is around.

Be the last one out to get this dough? No way
Will I be the last person to obtain wealth? Absolutely not.

Love one of you bucket headed hoes? No way
Will I fall in love with any of you shallow women? Definitely not.

Hit the streets, then we break the code? No way
Will we betray the principles and rules of the streets when we go out? Absolutely not.

Hit the brakes, when they on patrol? No way
Will we slow down or stop when the authorities are patrolling? Absolutely not.

Imagine Rock up in the projects where them niggas pick your pockets
Imagine Jay Rock in a low-income housing area where people would attempt to steal from him.

Santa Claus don't miss them stockings, liquor spilling pistols popping
In these neighborhoods, people don't miss out on stealing things, and there is violence and alcohol abuse.

Baking soda YOLA whipping, ain't no turkey on Thanksgiving
Cooking drugs (YOLA= cocaine), there won't be any traditional Thanksgiving celebrations in these areas.

My homeboy just domed a nigga, I just hope the Lord forgive him
My friend just shot someone in the head, and I hope God forgives him.

Pots with cocaine residue, everyday I'm hustlin'
There are pots with traces of cocaine, and I am constantly involved in illegal activities to make money.

What else is a thug to do when you eatin' cheese from the government
What other choice does a criminal have when they rely on government assistance to survive?

Gotta provide for my daughter 'n' 'em, get the fuck up out my way, bitch
I have to support my daughter and the rest of my family, so stay out of my path, you disrespectful woman.

Got that drum and got them bands just like a parade, bitch
I have a drum (gun) and a lot of money, just like a parade.

Drop that work up in the bushes, hope them boys don't see my stash
I hide my illegal drugs in the bushes, hoping the authorities don't discover my stash.

If they do tell the truth, this the last time you might see my ass
If they find out my secret, be prepared, as this may be the last time you see me.

From the gardens where the grass ain't cut, them serpents lurking blood
In the neglected areas where the grass is overgrown, dangerous people are waiting for an opportunity.

Bitches selling pussy, niggas selling drugs but it's all good
Prostitutes are offering sexual services, and drug dealers are selling narcotics, but everyone seems to be okay with it.

Broken promises, steal yo watch and tell you what time it is
People break their commitments and steal from you, subsequently telling you the lesson of time and loss.

Take your J's and tell you to kick it where a footlocker is
They take your expensive Jordan sneakers and suggest you go to a Footlocker store instead.

In the streets with a heater under my dungarees
In the dangerous streets, I carry a gun concealed under my overalls.

Dreams of me getting shaded under a money tree
Aspiring to be in a position of financial security and wealth.

It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
It's a choice between pleasure or spiritual salvation.

Pick your poison tell me what you do
Choose your desired path and let me know your decision.

Everybody gon' respect the shooter
Everyone will have admiration for the person holding the gun.

But the one in front of the gun lives forever (The one in front of the gun forever)
The person facing the gun is the one who will be remembered or have a lasting impact.