Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper. Regard… Read Full Bio ↴Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper. Regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation, and one of the greatest rappers of all time, he was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to receive the honor.

Born in Compton, California, Lamar began releasing music under the stage name K.Dot while attending high school. He signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005, and co-founded the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy there. Following the 2011 release of his alternative rap debut album Section.80, Lamar secured a joint contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. He rose to fame with his gangsta rap-influenced second album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), which became the longest-charting hip hop studio album in Billboard 200's chart history. In 2015, Lamar scored his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, after featuring on the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood", and released his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which infused hip-hop with historical African-American music genres such as jazz, funk, and soul, and became his first of five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart.

Lamar's critical and commercial success continued with his R&B and pop-leaning fourth album Damn (2017), yielding his second US number-one single, "Humble". He curated original songs for the soundtrack of the 2018 film Black Panther, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the US top-ten single "All the Stars". Lamar's 2022 double album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concluded his tenure with TDE and Aftermath. His feud with Drake and subsequent sixth album GNX (2024) spawned the Hot 100 number-ones "Like That" and "Squabble Up", as well as "Not Like Us", which became the most-awarded song in the Grammy Awards history, with five wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Lamar has received various accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards (the third-most won by a rapper), a Primetime Emmy Award, a Brit Award, 4 American Music Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards (including 2 Video of the Year wins), and a record 37 BET Hip Hop Awards. Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Three of his works were included in Rolling Stone's 2020 revision of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Outside of music, Lamar co-founded the creative company PGLang and ventured into film with his longtime creative partner, Dave Free.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples. Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother. Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth). His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem. He considered studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.

Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives. One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and Dr. Dre film the second music video for their single "California Love" with his father at the Compton Swap Meet. Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views. Although some publications have regarded him as the Shakur of his generation, he has strived to maintain his individuality.

Lamar maintains a low public profile, and is known to be reserved. He is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media. He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality. According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it." His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.

Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with. Although some journalists declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake, some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation. Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah". Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions, causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex. However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop. "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good bridge," he explained to Zane Lowe. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have".

In November 2024, Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX, marking his first project after departing from Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment. The album features collaborations with artists such as SZA, Roddy Ricch, and emerging Los Angeles rappers, and includes production contributions from Jack Antonoff. GNX blends elements reminiscent of his previous works, combining mainstream appeal with complex themes, and introduces new influences like the West Coast club sound. The album's release intensified Lamar's ongoing feud with Drake, particularly with the track "Not Like Us," which became a massive hit and won multiple Grammy awards. Following his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025, GNX returned to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying Lamar's status as a dominant force in contemporary hip-hop.

Average Joe
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The hardest thing for me to do
Is to get you, to know me, within sixteen bars
That's the hardest thing

Who is K. Dot? A young nigga from Compton
On the curb writing raps next to a gun shot
On the corners where the gangsters and the killers dwell
The fraudulent tender scars that get unveiled

Everyone I knew was either Crip or Piru
Cousins in elementary, relatives in high school
With that being said, each one of their rivals
Was aiming something at my head, I needed survival
Got jumped, got jacked, shot at, shot back
And I don't even push a line, I'm just tryna push these rhymes
In the midst of staying neutral and discrete
My momma said you're judged by the company you keep
But what you can consider, that if it goes down
They'll kill you if you kill me, it gets deep, nigga
So if you ask what I'm doing
I'm tryna duck the influence of my city that's brewing
Real talk, and

This is why they fuck with me (real talk, nigga, believe it)
This is why they fuck with me (do what I do, ya know?)
I'm no gangster, no killer, I'm just your average Joe (know that)
But one thing you should consider, I'm the realest you know

I was walking from Centennial
When an unidentified vehicle
Rolled up
And I was like "Hol' up"
"Where you from?" I don't bang
"Where you stay?"
Westside, that's a Piru gang, to be exact

Well aware they had blue across they hat
Dropped backpack and ran inside of the cul-de-sac
Shots rang out, hoping to God I wasn't wet
Crossed across Rosecrans and ran inside of the yet
Chirped the homies on the I-95, they said they already knew
What happened, and meet 'em outside the garage
Never seen that many guns in my life
I was paranoid, like a fiend in the night, but needed revenge
Grabbed the nine-ball, opened up the door, then got in
Somebody said, "Fall back, we gon' make these niggas suffer
You my brother like a frat, and that's just to remind you"
Thought about that so long I had failed my finals, fuck, but

This is why they fuck with me (I told you, nigga)
This is why they fuck with me (you fake, nigga)
I'm no gangster, no killer, I'm just your average Joe (you fake)
But one thing you should consider, I'm the realest you know

I don't do black music, I don't do white music
I do everyday life music
Give 'em cuts like a nigga pierced a knife through it
You say you through, but I've been through it, now that's cold
And this is for my county building children
In Hub City on hubcaps, no power-steering
I use perseverance in this mad city
Where the niggas drink Remy and hold semis for cutthroats
Bernie Mac died, it's no joke
Don't ask why if you don't know about these killers and thieves
Seven grams of weed, you smoke that, but I'm high off life
I could fall out the sky like twice
And land in the land of the AKs
And the minivans where the fan never on
'Cause it's hotter than a lunatic's underarms in a straitjacket
In other words, we get it cracking, but I keep it cool, you know?

This is why they fuck with me
This is why they fuck with me (real talk)
I'm no gangster, no killer, I'm just your average Joe (come on)
But one thing you should consider, I'm the realest you know

So there you have it
But I'ma leave you with this
An OG once told me
"A real gangster is either dead or in jail
Or behind the scenes getting real money"
I'm gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kendrick Lamar's song "Average Joe" paint a vivid picture of the harsh reality of growing up in Compton, California. The song begins with Lamar expressing the difficulty he faces in opening up and revealing his true self within the limited timeframe of a sixteen-bar verse. He then proceeds to describe the challenging environment in which he was raised, surrounded by gangs and violence. Despite being neither a gangster nor a killer, Lamar admits to being caught up in dangerous situations, such as shootings and revenge fantasies. However, he also asserts that he is determined to rise above the negativity of his city and create music that speaks to the everyday struggles of ordinary people.

One of the most striking aspects of "Average Joe" is the way that Lamar weaves autobiographical details into the song's narrative framework. He alludes to his childhood experiences with gang violence, including being jumped, jacked, and shot at. He also references the fact that most of his family members were involved in gangs, and that he had to navigate the treacherous waters of gang rivalries while growing up. Despite these challenges, Lamar makes it clear that he is not a victim, that he chooses to stay neutral and true to his art, even when it means going against the tide of his surroundings.

Overall, "Average Joe" is a powerful statement on the nature of authenticity and artistic integrity in the face of adversity. It is a testament to Lamar's storytelling prowess, as well as his ability to connect with audiences on a deep and emotional level.

Line by Line Meaning

The hardest thing for me to do
Kendrick finds it very difficult

Is to get you, to know me, within sixteen bars
To make people understand him in a short amount of time, through his music

That's the hardest thing
It's not easy for him

Who is K. Dot? A young nigga from Compton
Kendrick Lamar's identity

On the curb writing raps next to a gun shot
He grew up in a dangerous neighborhood that was frequently shot at

On the corners where the gangsters and the killers dwell
Surrounded by dangerous people while pursuing his passion

The fraudulent tender scars that get unveiled
Witnessing the consequences of gang life

Everyone I knew was either crip or piru
All the people he knew were members of gangs

Cousins in elementary, relatives in high school
Even his close family members were involved in gangs

With that being said, each one of their rivals
The gangs were all opposed to each other

Was aiming something at my head, I needed survival
Kendrick was caught in the middle of gang violence and had to stay safe

Got jumped, got jacked, shot at, shot back
He experienced violence in his life

And I don't even push a line, I'm just tryna push these rhymes
He focuses on music rather than gang life

In the midst of staying neutral and discrete
He didn't want to get involved in gang life

My momma said you're judged by the company you keep
The people you associate with reflect on you

But what you can consider, that if it goes down
He's reminding people of the consequences of gang life

They'll kill you if you kill me, it gets deep nigga
Gang violence can escalate quickly

So if you ask what I'm doing
If you ask what he's been up to

I'm tryna duck the influence of my city that's brewing, real talk, and
He's trying to stay away from gang life in his city.

This is why they fuck with me (real talk nigga, believe it)
People like him because he is real and honest

This is why they fuck with me (do what I do, y'know?)
People appreciate his authenticity and respect for himself and others

I'm no gangster, no killer, I'm just your average Joe (know that)
He reiterates that he is not involved in gang life, but is an average person trying to make it

But one thing you should consider, I'm the realest you know
He's proud of his authentic self

I was walking from Centennial
Kendrick is telling a story about a real-life experience

When an unidentified vehicle rolled up, and I was like hol' up
He was alarmed and stopped in his tracks

Where you from? "I don't bang"
The people in the vehicle were asking if he was in a gang

Where you stay? "Westside", that's a Piru gang to be exact
He had to answer carefully to avoid trouble, but his response still had potential to offend the people in the car

Well aware they had blue across they hat
He noticed that the people in the car were wearing blue, a color associated with Crips

Dropped backpack and ran inside of the cul-de-sac
He fled the area to avoid conflict

Shots rang out, hoping to God I wasn't wet
He feared for his life

Crossed to cross Rosecrans and ran inside of the yet
He ran to an establishment in hopes of safety

Chirped the homies on the I-95, they said they already knew
He contacted his friends to tell them what happened

What happened, and meet 'em outside the garage
He arranged to meet his friends in a safe space

Never seen that many guns in my life
He was unnerved by the presence of weapons

I was paranoid like a fiend in the night, but needed revenge
He was traumatized by the experience and wanted to retaliate

Grabbed the nine-ball, opened up the door, then got in
He went to get a weapon and was ready to face his enemies

Somebody said fall back, we gon' make these niggas suffer
His friends didn't want him to engage in more violence

You my brother like a frat, and that's just to remind you
He was reminded of the importance of friendship

Thought about that so long I had failed my finals, fuck, but
He was so preoccupied with the experience that he was unable to focus on school

I don't do black music, I don't do white music
He doesn't define his music by race

I do everyday life music
His music is relatable to anyone's everyday experiences

Give 'em cuts like a nigga pierced a knife through it
His lyrics are sharp and impactful

You say you through, but I've been through it, now that's cold
He's seen a lot and experienced a lot

And this is for my county building children
He's speaking for the youth of his community

In Hub City on hubcaps, no power-steering
His community is not affluent and deals with many issues

I use perseverance in this mad city
He refuses to be defeated by his difficult surroundings

Where the niggas drink Remy and hold semis for cutthroats
His neighborhood is filled with violence and danger

Bernie Mac died, it's no joke
Death is a reality that he's faced with every day

Don't ask why if you don't know about these killers and thieves
He doesn't have patience for ignorance about his experiences

Seven grams of weed, you smoke that, but I'm high off life
His pleasure comes from a different source than drugs

I could fall out the sky like twice
Anything could happen to him at any time

And land in the land of the AKs
He could land in a place where guns are prevalent

And the minivans where the fan never on
He could land in a place without air conditioning

Cause it's hotter than a lunatic's underarms in a straitjacket
It's very hot in some environments he could fall into

In other words, we get it cracking, but I keep it cool, you know?
He stays composed no matter what happens to him.

This is why they fuck with me
This is why people like him

This is why they fuck with me (real talk)
People appreciate his realness

I'm no gangster, no killer, I'm just your average Joe (come on)
He's a regular guy who prioritizes music over violence

But one thing you should consider, I'm the realest you know
He's proud of his authentic self

So there you have it
That's the story he wanted to tell

But I'mma leave you with this
Here's one last thing he wants you to remember

An O.G. once told me
An elder respected in the community told him

A real gangster is either dead or in jail
Living a life of gangsterism rarely ends well

Or behind the scenes getting real money
Those still alive and successful from that life do it behind the scenes

I'm gone
He's leaving the conversation or the stage

Lyrics © The Administration MP, Inc., THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kendrick Duckworth, Wyatt Coleman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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