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.
Black Boy Fly
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I'm saying, "What up? What up? Nigga, you made it"
So I'm saying, "What up? What up? Nigga, you made it"
So I'm saying, "What up? What up? Nigga, I hate it"
So I'm saying, "What up? What up? Nigga, I hate it"
Frustrated and I'm riding down them back streets
Making my conscience ask me
"Will I survive to make it up out this hole in time?"
Black, black boy fly, black boy fly
I used to be jealous of Arron Afflalo
I used to be jealous of Arron Afflalo
He was the one to follow
He was the only leader foreseeing brighter tomorrows
He would live in the gym, we was living in sorrow
Total envy of him, he made his dream become a reality
Actually making it possible to swim
His way up outta Compton with further more to accomplish
Graduate with honors, a sponsor of basketball scholars
It's 2004 and I'm watching him score thirty
Remember vividly how them victory points had hurt me
'Cause every basket was a reaction or a reminder
That we was just moving backwards
The bungalow where you find us
The art of us ditching classes, heading nowhere fast
Stick my head inside the study hall, he focused on math
Determination ambition, plus dedication and wisdom
Qualities he was given was the shit we didn't have
Dug inside of his book bag and Coach Palmer asked for his finals
He had his back like a spinal, meanwhile
We singing the same old song spinning the vinyl
Eleven graders gone wrong
He focused on the NBA, we focused on some Patron
Now watch that black boy fly
Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly
Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly
Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly
Black boy
I used to be jealous of Jayceon
I used to be jealous of Jayceon Taylor when I was young
Taylor made a career out of music from writing songs
A Buick had driven past bumping him when I mowed the lawn
Money laundering hustling, homies pondering up against
Schemes to make a million even if doing you harm
War's the case and just in case you wasn't alarmed
The city had fought with firearms and many had died before dawn
It's 2004 and I'm hearing the people roar
For the name of The Game, they line in front of the store
Swap meets, selling our mixtapes, I'm like, "Oh shit, wait"
Don't wanna be another nigga stuck regretting mistakes
Mixed feelings was my opinion, I was defending my insecurities
Chillin' my conscience next to a villain
Compton made you believe success wasn't real
Be honest, none of us knew of a record deal
So as I peel through these lottery tickets
I see a Harley Davidson truck visit the same plaza we shopped
A tall nigga hopped out with Jordans and a white tank top
He was top of the rap game, we was the top of the block
So watch that black boy fly
Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly
Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly
Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly
Black boy
My mama didn't raise me up to be jealous-hearted
Like most of the winners call it
"Regardless of where you stay, hold your head and continue marching"
That's what she said, but in my head I wanted to be like Jordan
Award touring the country with money from mic recording
The only way out the ghetto, you know the stereotype
Shooting hoops or live on the stereo like Top 40
And shortly, I got discouraged
Like every time I walked to the corner, had them guns bursting
Nigga, I was rehearsing in repetition the phrase
That only one in a million will ever see better days
Especially when the crime waves was bigger than tsunamis
Break your boogie boards to pieces, you just a typical homi'
All these niggas facetious and they all standing beside me
They all'll buy me a chopper if any one of you try me
What am I to do when every neighborhood is an obstacle?
When two niggas making it out had never sounded logical?
Three niggas making it out? That's mission impossible
So I never believed the type of performance that I could do
I wasn't jealous 'cause of the talents they got
I was terrified they'd be the last black boys to fly out of Compton
Thank God
(Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly)
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's "Black Boy Fly" tell a story of jealousy, envy, and the pursuit of success. Throughout the verses, Kendrick discusses his past admiration for two individuals who he believed had made it out of Compton, a city notorious for gang violence and poverty. The first person he mentions is Arron Afflalo, an NBA player who he was once jealous of for his talent and dedication. The second person is Jayceon Taylor, better known as The Game, who he was also jealous of for his music career. Kendrick compares himself and his friends to these successful individuals, and describes how their success made him and his friends feel inadequate.
However, as the song progresses, Kendrick realizes that success is possible, but it requires hard work, dedication, and belief in oneself. He praises his mother for instilling in him a sense of perseverance and positivity despite the odds against him. Kendrick raps about how he and his friends used to spend their days doing "typical homi'" activities such as handling guns and committing petty crimes. However, he recognizes the dangers of this lifestyle and the importance of breaking free from those patterns to pursue bigger dreams. Ultimately, the song delivers a message of hope and resilience, urging black boys in Compton and beyond to believe in themselves and their potential.
Line by Line Meaning
So I'm saying, "What up? What up? Nigga, you made it"
Celebrating the success of making it out of tough circumstances
So I'm saying, "What up? What up? Nigga, I hate it"
Feeling angry and frustrated about still being stuck in difficult circumstances
Frustrated and I'm riding down them back streets
Feeling frustrated and stuck while wandering through back streets
Making my conscience ask me
Reflecting on life and questioning one's own choices
"Will I survive to make it up out this hole in time?"
Wondering whether one will be able to escape from difficult circumstances before it's too late
Black boy fly, black boy fly
Emphasizing the power and beauty of a black boy's success
I used to be jealous of Arron Afflalo
Recalling feelings of jealousy towards someone who was able to achieve success
He was the only leader foreseeing brighter tomorrows
Recognizing someone who had a vision for a better future
He would live in the gym, we was living in sorrow
Comparing one person's hard work and dedication to another person's struggles
Total envy of him, he made his dream become a reality
Admitting to feeling envious of someone who was able to achieve their dreams
Actually making it possible to swim
Acknowledging the role someone played in helping others succeed
His way up outta Compton with further more to accomplish
Noting someone who made it out of a difficult place but still had more to achieve
Graduate with honors, a sponsor of basketball scholars
Recognizing someone's academic and athletic achievements
It's 2004 and I'm watching him score thirty
Recalling a specific moment in time when someone was succeeding
Remember vividly how them victory points had hurt me
Feeling hurt at someone else's success
'Cause every basket was a reaction or a reminder
Feeling like every success is a reminder of one's own failures
That we was just moving backwards
Feeling like no progress was being made despite the success of others
The bungalow where you find us
Describing the place where the singer spent time with their friends
The art of us ditching classes, heading nowhere fast
Admitting to wasting time and not having a clear path forward in life
Stick my head inside the study hall, he focused on math
Noting someone who was focused on their studies and their future
Determination ambition, plus dedication and wisdom
Recognizing the qualities that are necessary for success
Qualities he was given was the shit we didn't have
Feeling like success is out of reach because of a lack of resources or opportunities
Dug inside of his book bag and Coach Palmer asked for his finals
Recalling a specific moment when someone was responsible and organized
He had his back like a spinal, meanwhile
Recognizing the support that someone received from others
We singing the same old song spinning the vinyl
Describing a shared experience of listening to music together
Eleven graders gone wrong
Noting that many people in the singer's community did not succeed
He focused on the NBA, we focused on some Patron
Noting the different priorities that people have
Now watch that black boy fly
Celebrating the success of a black boy
I used to be jealous of Jayceon
Recalling feelings of jealousy towards another successful person
Taylor made a career out of music from writing songs
Recognizing someone who turned their passion into a successful career
Money laundering hustling, homies pondering up against
Describing the illegal activities that some people engaged in to make money
Schemes to make a million even if doing you harm
Noting the dangerous and harmful schemes that people will engage in to achieve success
War's the case and just in case you wasn't alarmed
Acknowledging the violence and danger that was present in the artist's community
The city had fought with firearms and many had died before dawn
Describing the violence and death that occurred in the artist's community
It's 2004 and I'm hearing the people roar
Recalling a specific moment in time when people were excited about music and success
For the name of The Game, they line in front of the store
Noting the popularity and success of a particular rapper
Swap meets, selling our mixtapes, I'm like, "Oh shit, wait"
Describing a specific moment when the singer realized the potential for success through music
Don't wanna be another nigga stuck regretting mistakes
Acknowledging the danger of getting stuck in bad situations and regretting it later
Mixed feelings was my opinion, I was defending my insecurities
Feeling conflicted and defensive about one's own insecurities
Chillin' my conscience next to a villain
Feeling like one's own conscience is in conflict with the people around them
Compton made you believe success wasn't real
Feeling like one's environment makes it difficult to believe in the possibility of success
Be honest, none of us knew of a record deal
Noting the lack of knowledge and opportunities that were present in the singer's community
So as I peel through these lottery tickets
Describing a specific activity that is viewed as a potential route to success
I see a Harley Davidson truck visit the same plaza we shopped
Noting the presence of wealth and luxury in the artist's community
A tall nigga hopped out with Jordans and a white tank top
Describing the appearance of someone who is successful
He was top of the rap game, we was the top of the block
Comparing the success of someone in the music industry to the artist's own experience
So watch that black boy fly
Celebrating the success of a black boy
My mama didn't raise me up to be jealous-hearted
Recognizing the values that were instilled in the artist by their mother
Like most of the winners call it
Acknowledging the mindset of successful people
"Regardless of where you stay, hold your head and continue marching"
Noting the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving success
That's what she said, but in my head I wanted to be like Jordan
Acknowledging the desire to achieve a high level of success and renown
Award touring the country with money from mic recording
Describing the potential for success through music
The only way out the ghetto, you know the stereotype
Recognizing the common stereotype that the only way out of difficult circumstances is through athletics or music
Shooting hoops or live on the stereo like Top 40
Noting the limited options for success that are commonly presented to people in difficult circumstances
And shortly, I got discouraged
Feeling discouraged and overwhelmed by the challenges to achieving success
Like every time I walked to the corner, had them guns bursting
Describing the danger and violence that is present in the artist's community
Nigga, I was rehearsing in repetition the phrase
Repeating to oneself a particular phrase or mindset to keep going
That only one in a million will ever see better days
Feeling like success and better days are out of reach and nearly impossible
Especially when the crime waves was bigger than tsunamis
Feeling overwhelmed by the level of crime and danger in the singer's community
Break your boogie boards to pieces, you just a typical homi'
Describing the hostility and danger that are present in the artist's environment
All these niggas facetious and they all standing beside me
Feeling like the people around the singer are insincere and fake
They all'll buy me a chopper if any one of you try me
Feeling like the people around the singer are only loyal to him because of his potential for success
What am I to do when every neighborhood is an obstacle?
Feeling trapped and hopeless in a hostile environment
When two niggas making it out had never sounded logical?
Feeling like the possibility of success is unlikely and improbable
Three niggas making it out? That's mission impossible
Feeling like the odds of success are nearly insurmountable
So I never believed the type of performance that I could do
Not believing in one's own potential for success
I wasn't jealous 'cause of the talents they got
Not feeling jealous of others' natural abilities or talents
I was terrified they'd be the last black boys to fly out of Compton
Feeling fearful that success will not be possible for anyone in the artist's community
Thank God
Expressing gratitude and relief
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Columbus Tower Smith, Dawaun W. Parker, Brock F. Korsan, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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