He began to gain major recognition in 2010 after his first retail release, Overly Dedicated. The following year, Lamar independently released his first studio album Section.80, which included his debut single, "HiiiPoWeR" which was produced by J. Cole. By that time, he had amassed a large Internet following and collaborated with several artists in the hip-hop industry, including The Game, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and Drake.
Lamar secured a major-label record deal with Aftermath and Interscope Records, in 2012. His major-label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was released in October 2012 to critical success. The record contained the top 40 singles "Swimming Pools (Drank)", "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", and "Poetic Justice". It debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Lamar won his first Grammy Award for "i", the lead single from his critically acclaimed third album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). The album drew on free jazz, funk, soul, and spoken word debuted atop the charts in the U.S. and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 58th ceremony. In 2016, Lamar released untitled unmastered., a collection of unreleased demos that originated during the recording sessions for Butterfly.
Lamar has received several accolades throughout his career, including seven Grammy Awards. In early 2013, MTV named Lamar the number one "Hottest MC in the Game", on their annual list. Time named Lamar one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.
Lamar's fourth album, DAMN. was released on April 17, 2017, to widespread critical acclaim. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, earning Lamar his third consecutive number-one album in the United States. The album was supported by the lead single, "Humble.". Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize for DAMN.
Lamar's fifth album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers was released on May 13, 2022, his first album in five years.
Birds And The Beez
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Cocaine to a rock, deuce deuce in a sock
Every dollar closer to a drop
Every drop is closer to a cop
Every cop is closer to a cell
Hit the cell, your ticket right to hell
No job, no bail no fam, no meal
Institution another nigga, fail
Fuck that, I quit while I'm ahead
Ship my music off like Amistad
Turn it up and hear the ghetto pledge
Live righteous, nigga, like my brother said
King Tut, Martin Luther
Malcolm X, but I'm the shoota'
Top ramen, knowledge for the noodle
Finally gettin' praised, yeah, kudos
Doing bad, still love and need
Connect said it's something up his sleeve
Said, I rather bust off them keys
Yeah, nigga, Birds And The Beez
Birds And The Beez birds And The Beez
Wanna do a song, but it's hard to carry on
And my daughter hungry, sitting home
And my girl, she said she feeling lone'
I can tell it's over in her tone
Only time I call is for a loan
She be stressing, so depressing
Always worried every time a lil' nigga gone
Stay strong for the future, stick together
Yeah suture get a couple whips, yeah Kunta
Schoolboy, but gangsta was his tutors
Say the money be the root of evil
Look around and see what it do to people
Veins full of heroin using PCP inject
The body with a needle
Lord help us, swear to God
Dope dealers, get a job
Keep it real, this shit ain't really cool
Being in a cell, you ain't alive
Niggas quick to show out over cheese
Love to help the devil do a deed
So I rather bust off them keys?
Yeah, nigga, Birds And The Beez
Birds And The Beez birds And The Beez
Birds And The Beez
Tired of the same ol' shit
Niggas they faking it
Niggas out here living foul
Better yet they flagrant
Keep these niggas right up out the game
Get these niggas right up out my lane
I just wanna do this fucking music
Boy and leave this dope alone
And count my change
Q, I wanna see you do your thang
Entertainment business living limelight
Hop on every track and move them trains
Show these motherfuckers that you been tight
Then they ever been
It's evident that you intelligent
But you can't escape that life
And for you, my nigga
I would sacrifice myself to make it just
To see you hold the mic
And hit the stage and rock the set
But it's hard to change when
Your from the set
Won't you think about it nigga, life or death
Life of a cracker
Iโd like to hang you by the neck
Do you wanna see the boys in jet
Or you wanna see them runway jets?
Fly to Singapore, one way that
Tell the pilot we got stacks on deck
Swear to God, it's hard out here for a
Young black man to live
If you don't do it for yourself
Then please do it for your kids
My nigga, won't you tell Michelle
I love your daughter?
Please don't let her grow up
Life without a father
Look at what you bought her
Money couldn't buy
All she need is love, put that shit aside
At the same time, know they got to eat
Know you got to hustle, make ends meet
Gotta make time, gotta get a grind
Gotta push the line, HGC, no A
C got the block hot, you keep runnin'
Cops say "freeze"
Blue pill, red pill, choose now
Birds or the Beez birds or the Beez
Birds or the Beez
Tired of the same ol' shit
Niggas they faking it
Niggas out here living foul
Better yet they flagrant
Keep these niggas right up out the game
Get these niggas right up out my lane
I just wanna do this fucking music
Boy and leave this dope alone
And count my change
Count my change count my change
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's song "Birds And The Beez" delve into the harsh realities of inner-city life and the struggles faced by individuals trapped in a cycle of poverty, crime, and addiction. The song begins by describing the singer's journey from the block to the hood, highlighting the involvement in drugs and the constant threat of law enforcement. Every small step towards survival is also a step closer to getting caught and facing the consequences. The lyrics touch upon the hopelessness of being trapped in the prison system and the pain of losing relationships and connections due to one's circumstances.
Throughout the song, Lamar contrasts the desire for a better life with the temptations and difficulties of the street. He expresses a longing to break free from this vicious cycle and pursue a career in music, but his personal responsibilities, such as taking care of his daughter and supporting his family, weigh him down. The pressure is further intensified by the disconnection he feels from his partner and the desperation he experiences in trying to borrow money.
Lamar also reflects on the destructive nature of money and how it corrupts individuals around him. The references to drugs and addiction highlight the toll they take on the human body and soul. He emphasizes the importance of staying strong and united as a community and encourages his listeners to resist the temptations that can lead to a life of crime and incarceration.
Overall, "Birds And The Beez" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the struggles faced by individuals in disadvantaged communities and the desire for redemption and a better future.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ernstreese4240
[Bridge]
Birds and the beez
Birds and the beez
[Hook]
Tired of the same ol' shit, niggas they faking it
Niggas out here living foul
Better yet they flagrant, keep these niggas right up out the game
Keep these niggas right up out my lane
I just wanna do this fucking music boy, leave this dope alone and count my change
@inihc_
I can't believe this song is 10 years old.
This album holds different memories in my life but this song is one of my favorites, I love how they both sound.
It's nice, they both come in and hit the music effortlessly
@grimrichman
I really love Kendrickโs verse because heโs talking directly to Q. Shit will bring tears to your eyes if you pay attention
@brah04X
Shit I just realized that. Like I've listened to this song like 100 times and rap along, but now I just actually heard what he was saying and that it was directly to Q. Amazing shit
@oligreenwood7823
Kendrick and Q need to start collabing like this again! They bring out the best in each other
@kaserlowkamgfrk6152
I agree
@kingjaytp2925
Big facts๐ฅ
@omnithetitan
2020 confirmed!
@macdurden412
Still true
@ytmld
No cap, q got the best collab s with people like rocky, kdot, black hippy, etc
@sadetucker2094
The hunger in Q's voice mixed with Kendrick's care and support showed just how important it is to have each other's backs in time of struggle.