Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987), professionally known as Kend… Read Full Bio ↴Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987), professionally known as Kendrick Lamar, is a rapper from Compton, California. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Black Hippy collective along with members Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q. His music is largely influenced by the works of 2Pac, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX, The Notorious B.I.G., Mos Def, Eazy-E and Eminem.

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.

Cartoon
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wanna hit line drives
Wanna lose weight and keep eating… for you
Hey, whats up doc?

Now I was raised in a sandbox
Next to you and her
You was holding the handgun
She was giving birth

To a baby boy to be just like you
I I wonder what's that worth
I I wonder if you ever knew that you
Was a role model to me first
The next day I I woke up in the morning
Seen you on the news looked in the mirror
Then realized that I I I
Had something to prove
You told me, "Don't be like me
Just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see
Is Wile E coyotes in the room

And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (yeah! Blow)
And I run it (yeah! Blow)
That's ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
Ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
That's ironic (Y yeah! Blow)
Ironic (yeah! Blow! yeah)
Salt all in my wounds
Hear my tears all in my tunes
Let my life loose in this booth
Just for you, mothafucka, hope y'all amused
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (Y yeah! Blow)
And I run it (yeah! Blow) that's ironic

Liberation… Leader
Popular pie plant pictured here
Wile E coyote! Wile E coyote!

This shit make a nigga just wanna write
Reminisce when I had the morning appetite
Apple Jacks and after that I hit the TV Guide
Animaniac the only thing that gave
Me peace of mind i’m a maniac when aiming at
The enemy that lied
Tell a story that I'll never grow to 25
Not to worry
Every warrior will come and see euphoria
And that's a covenant I put on every tribe
Ain't nobody gon' tie your shoe
Nobody gon' abide by your rule
Nobody holding your gun
How come your tongue say
"killa" then kill my mood
Light speed living in the world you know
Little old me, feeling like a live wire
Bet I put some new tires on a lightning bolt
'Til I wreck into a pole
Like a right to vote
I'm from the bottom of the jungle
Living in the bottom of the food chain
When you get a new chain
Nigga take it from you
A new name, want stripes
And you a zebra look-alike
Hope another homicide don't numb you a nun do
Things we will never learn soon
In the era where we wanna earn soon
That's a error, you can smell it in the air
And everybody really doomed
That's why I'm backdooring you motherfuckas
All y'all can suck my dick
All them days at the county building
I'm 'bout to make my mama rich cartoons and
(Cereal) I ain't felt this (Good since)
Scrooge McDuck
(Here we go) , elementary hood shit

Now I was raised in a sandbox
Next to you and her
You was holding the handgun
She was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you
I wonder what's that worth
I I wonder if you ever knew that you
Was a role model to me first
The next day I I woke up in the morning
Seen you on the news looked in the mirror
Then realized that I I I
Had something to prove
You told me, "Don't be like me
Just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see
Is Wile E coyotes in the room

And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (yeah! Blow)
And I run it (yeah! Blow)
That's ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
Ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
That's ironic (Y yeah! Blow)
Ironic (yeah! Blow! yeah)
Salt all in my wounds
Hear my tears all in my tunes
Let my life loose in this booth
Just for you, mothafucka, hope y'all amused
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow)
And I run it (Y yeah! Blow)
And I run it (yeah! Blow) that's ironic

This shit make a nigga just
Wanna shit on everybody
Even with a pot to piss in
I'ma aim sloppy at a loud mouth, discharge
Dismiss any business of yours
Discounts never did amount to a check
That ya ass couldn't cash
When the shit bounce everything dismounts
Niggas gon' flip that car
AKs for the whole hood
House lick went down perfect
Two shots to the head he deserved it
I overheard it hit my bed with
A bowl and remote control
Dark Wing Duck lost service
Mama said I'd better duck, she's nervous
Drama all up in the cut, hit the curtains
I mean don't intervene with no gun machine
This block stay jerking
The feds stay lurkin'
Emerging on everbody corner (Dash for it)
Get a toe tag when you play tag
With a task of a new (Task force)
Everybody wanna know my life
How did I make it (Past yours)
Well let me tell you like this
I've been running this shit since I
(Asked for) cartoons and cereal

Now I was raised in a sandbox
Next to you and her
You was holding the handgun
She was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you
I wonder what's that worth
I I wonder if you ever knew that you
Was a role model to me first
The next day I I woke up in the morning
Seen you on the news looked in the mirror
Then realized that I I I
Had something to prove
You told me, "Don't be like me
Just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see
Is Wile E coyotes in the room and I run it

Salt all in my wounds
Hear my tears all in my tunes
Let my life loose in this booth, just for you
Muhfucka, hope y'all amused!
I did wrong, karma came
Crackers gave me ball and chain
Friends, enemies all the same
State, fed, both can hang
Nobody can't mute me
But I never said nobody can't shoot me
Just another stat to the white folks
Still whip work to the white yolk
Absolutely!
Everyday feel like the one before
Hunt the money, don't hunt the ho
If you do what you always done
Then you get what you always got
You dumb buffoons!
I ain't seen the back of my eyelids
For about the past 72 hours
Hand on my heart, face to the hood
I pledge every word you ever heard was honest
Yeah, this me, no mic
No cameras, no lights, just pain
Mama, how much trauma can I sustain?
Dirty money come with lots of stains
Road to riches come with lots of lanes
Just another player with lots of game
Never had shit, got lots to gain

Just another player with lots of game

Never had shit, got lots to gain
(To be continued)

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of the song Kendrick Lamar talks about how he was raised in a poor neighborhood and he had a role model who was a gangbanger. The role model advised him not to emulate his ways, and instead choose to finish watching cartoons. Kendrick took his advice but ironically now he sees only Wile E. Coyotes in the room, which indicates that violence and crime surrounds him no matter how much he tries to separate it from his life. The rest of the song talks about his experiences of growing up in a poor neighborhood where violence and crime were the norm. He had to maintain his sanity by focusing on cartoons, but at the same time, violence and crime never left his life. Ultimately much like his role model, he had to resort to violence to survive.

The song is a commentary on the gang culture that exists in poor neighborhoods and how people are often forced to resort to violence to protect themselves. Kendrick talks about how he was raised in a sandbox next to his role model and how he sees this role model as the reason behind his violent tendencies. The line "I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first" indicates how people often learn violent tendencies from the role models in their lives. The song ultimately is a commentary on how poverty and the resulting violence and crime is a never-ending cycle with no realistic way to break out of it.

Line by Line Meaning

I wanna hit line drives
I want to be successful in life

Wanna lose weight?
Is there anything you want to improve about your current life?

For you
I'm doing this for you (the listener)

Hey, what's up doc?
A casual greeting, similar to what Bugs Bunny says in Looney Tunes

Now I was raised in a sandbox next to you and her
I grew up alongside the person being addressed and another woman

You was holding the handgun, she was giving birth
The person being addressed was armed while the woman next to them was having a baby

To a baby boy to be just like you, I wonder what's that worth
The baby being born will likely admire and imitate the person being addressed

I-I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first
The person being addressed had a positive influence on the artist and was seen as a role model

The next day I-I woke up in the morning, seen you on the news
The artist saw the person being addressed on the news the following day

Looked in the mirror, then realized that I-I-I had something to prove
After seeing the person being addressed, the artist felt the need to prove themselves

You told me "Don't be like me, just finish watching cartoons"
The person being addressed advised the singer to not follow in their footsteps

Which is funny now cause all I see is Wile E. Coyotes in the room
Nowadays, the artist perceives the world as being dominated by fictional characters like Wile E. Coyote

And I run it
I'm in charge and in control

[Chorus]
Refrain repeats

Salt all in my wounds
I'm in a lot of emotional pain

Hear my tears all in my tunes
My music is a reflection of my sadness

Let my life loose in this booth just for you
Through my music, I'm baring my soul for the listener

Motherfucker hope y'all amused!
I hope you're entertained, even though my music is a reflection of my pain

This shit make a nigga just wanna shit on everybody
My negative experiences make me want to take out my anger on others

Even with a pot to piss in
Even though I'm not financially successful

I'm a aim sloppy at a loud mouth, discharge
I might hit the wrong person in my anger

Dismiss any business of yours
Mind your own business

Discounts never did amount to a check
Discounts aren't worth much

That ya ass couldn't cash when the shit bounce
You might not be able to pay for something, even if it was discounted

Everything dismounts, niggas gone flip that car
Things fall apart and people will resort to drastic measures

AK's for the whole hood
The community is arming themselves with AK-47s

House lit went down perfect
The singer had a successful home invasion

Two shots to the head he deserved it
The artist believes in vigilante justice

Overheard it hit my bed with a bowl and remote control
The artist is casually watching TV while violence is happening nearby

Darkwing Duck, lost service
The singer's TV signal went out while they were watching Darkwing Duck

Mama said I'd better duck, she's nervous
The singer's mother is worried about the violence going on

Drama hauled in the clutch, hit the curtains
The situation is getting intense and someone is pulling out all the stops

I mean don't intervene with no drum machine
Don't try to stop me from making music

This block stay jerking, the feds stay lurkin'
There's always something going on in this neighborhood and the police are always watching

Emerging on everybody corner (dash for it)
The police are suddenly visible on every corner and people are trying to escape

Get a toe tag, when you play tac with a task of a new (task force)
You're risking your life if you go up against a new task force

Everybody wanna know my life
People are curious about the singer's experiences

How did I make it (past yours)
How did I succeed when others didn't

Well let me tell you like this
Here's how I did it

I've been running this shit since (I asked for it)
I've been in charge since the beginning

Cartoons and cereal
Referencing the title of the song

I did wrong, karma came
The singer has experienced repercussions for their actions

Crackers gave me ball and chain
The singer was imprisoned by law enforcement

Friends, enemies all the same
People who were once friends can become enemies and vice versa

State, fed, both can hang
Both state and federal authorities can arrest and punish people

Nobody can mute me, but I never said nobody can't shoot me
No one can silence the artist, but there's always a chance they could be targeted or killed

Just another stat to the white folks
The government and society view the singer as just another statistic

Still whip work to the white yolk, absolutely!
The artist is still working for white-owned businesses but is proud of their success despite racism

Everyday feel like the one before
The singer is stuck in a monotonous routine

Hunt the money, don't hunt the ho
Focus on making money, not finding a sexual partner

If you do what you always done
If you continue to do the same things

Then you get what you always got
You'll get the same results

You dumb buffoons!
Insult directed at the listener (sarcastically)

I ain't seen the back of my eyelids
The singer hasn't slept in a long time

For about the past 72 hours
The singer hasn't slept for three days

Hand on my heart, face to the hood
The artist pledges their honesty and loyalty to their community

I pledge every word you ever heard was honest
The artist swears that everything they say is true

Yeah this me, no mic
The artist is their genuine self without any performance or persona

No cameras, no lights, just pain
Without any external distractions or stimuli, the singer is still in pain

Mama how much trauma can I sustain?
The artist asks their mother how much suffering they can endure

Dirty money come with lots of stains
Illegally-earned money has many negative consequences

Road to riches come with lots of lanes
There are many different paths to financial success

Just another player with lots of game
The singer is skilled and charming

Never had shit got lots to gain
The artist started with nothing and now has a lot to gain

Just another player with lots of game
Repeating the idea of the artist's charisma and skill

Never had shit got lots to gain
Repeating the idea that the singer started with nothing and now has a lot to gain

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Y2T1G

2y↑26

[Produced By: J.LBS & T.H.C]

[Intro]
I wanna hit line drives…
Wanna lose weight and keep eating…
For you…
Hey, whats up doc?

[Bridge: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
Now I was raised in a sandbox, next to you and her
You was holding the handgun, she was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you, I-I wonder what's that worth
I-I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first
The next day I-I woke up in the morning, seen you on the news
Looked in the mirror, then realized that I-I-I had something to prove
You told me, "Don't be like me, just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see is Wile E. Coyotes in the room

[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Gunplay]
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Yeah! Blow!)
And I run it (Yeah! Blow!)
That's ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
Ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
That's ironic (Y-Yeah! Blow!)
Ironic (Yeah! Blow! Yeah!)
Salt all in my wounds
Hear my tears all in my tunes
Let my life loose in this booth
Just for you, mothafucka, hope y'all amused
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Y-Yeah! Blow!)
And I run it (Yeah! Blow!)
That's ironic

[Interlude]
Liberation… Leader…
Popular pie plant pictured here…
Wile E. Coyote! Wile E. Coyote!

[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
This shit make a nigga just wanna write
Reminisce when I had the morning appetite
Apple Jacks and after that I hit the TV Guide
Animaniac the only thing that gave me peace of mind
I’m a maniac when aiming at the enemy that lied
Tell a story that I'll never grow to 25
Not to worry, every warrior will come and see euphoria
And that's a covenant I put on every tribe
Ain't nobody gon' tie your shoe
Nobody gon' abide by your rule
Nobody holding your gun
How come your tongue say, "killa" then kill my mood
Light speed living in the world you know
Little old me, feeling like a live wire
Bet I put some new tires on a lightning bolt
'Til I wreck into a pole, like a right to vote
I'm from the bottom of the jungle
Living in the bottom of the food chain
When you get a new chain, nigga take it from you
A new name, want stripes, and you a zebra look-alike
Hope another homicide don't numb you a nun do
Things we will never learn soon
In the era where we wanna earn soon
That's a error, you can smell it in the air
And everybody really doomed
That's why I'm backdooring you motherfuckas
All y'all can suck my dick
All them days at the county building
I'm 'bout to make my mama rich
Cartoons and (Cereal!) I ain't felt this (Good since!)
Scrooge McDuck (Here we go!), elementary hood shit

[Bridge: Kendrick Lamar]
Now I was raised in a sandbox, next to you and her
You was holding the handgun, she was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you, I wonder what's that worth
I-I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first
The next day I-I woke up in the morning, seen you on the news
Looked in the mirror, then realized that I-I-I had something to prove
You told me, "Don't be like me, just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see is Wile E. Coyotes in the room

[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Gunplay]
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Yeah! Blow!)
And I run it (Yeah! Blow!)
That's ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
Ironic (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
That's ironic (Y-Yeah! Blow!)
Ironic (Yeah! Blow! Yeah!)
Salt all in my wounds
Hear my tears all in my tunes
Let my life loose in this booth
Just for you, mothafucka, hope y'all amused
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Blow! Blow! Blow! Blow!)
And I run it (Y-Yeah! Blow!)
And I run it (Yeah! Blow!)
That's ironic

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
This shit make a nigga just wanna shit on everybody
Even with a pot to piss in
I'ma aim sloppy at a loud mouth, discharge
Dismiss any business of yours
Discounts never did amount to a check
That ya ass couldn't cash when the shit bounce
Everything dismounts, niggas gon' flip that car
AKs for the whole hood
House lick went down perfect
Two shots to the head he deserved it
I overheard it hit my bed with a bowl and remote control
Dark Wing Duck lost service
Mama said I'd better duck, she's nervous
Drama all up in the cut, hit the curtains
I mean don't intervene with no gun machine
This block stay jerking, the feds stay lurkin'
Emerging on everbody corner (Dash for it)
Get a toe tag when you play tag
With a task of a new (Task force)
Everybody wanna know my life
How did I make it (Past yours)
Well let me tell you like this
I've been running this shit since I (Asked for)
Cartoons and cereal

[Bridge: Kendrick Lamar]
Now I was raised in a sandbox, next to you and her
You was holding the handgun, she was giving birth
To a baby boy to be just like you, I wonder what's that worth
I-I wonder if you ever knew that you was a role model to me first
The next day I-I woke up in the morning, seen you on the news
Looked in the mirror, then realized that I-I-I had something to prove
You told me, "Don't be like me, just finish watching cartoons"
Which is funny now cause all I see is Wile E. Coyotes in the room
And I run it

[Verse 3: Gunplay]
Salt all in my wounds
Hear my tears all in my tunes
Let my life loose in this booth, just for you
Muhfucka, hope y'all amused!
I did wrong, karma came
Crackers gave me ball and chain
Friends, enemies all the same
State, fed, both can hang
Nobody can't mute me
But I never said nobody can't shoot me
Just another stat to the white folks
Still whip work to the white yolk, absolutely!
Everyday feel like the one before
Hunt the money, don't hunt the ho
If you do what you always done
Then you get what you always got
You dumb buffoons!
I ain't seen the back of my eyelids
For about the past 72 hours
Hand on my heart, face to the hood
I pledge every word you ever heard was honest
Yeah, this me, no mic
No cameras, no lights, just pain
Mama, how much trauma can I sustain?
Dirty money come with lots of stains
Road to riches come with lots of lanes
Just another player with lots of game
Never had shit, got lots to gain…

[Outro: Gunplay]
Just another player with lots of game
Never had shit, got lots to gain
(To be continued)

All comments from YouTube:

@shaniquapminajxoxo

6y↑7.8K

I dont care if this is fanmade, THIS IS THE OFFICIAL VIDEO 👌🏾

@adamrodriguez7691

5y↑56

On bro 👌🏽

@jeanninebarbieri419

5y↑65

pretty sure it even has more views than the official video. (did not double check that though)

@Saintprince_

5y↑123

Even kendrick would admit this

@allennelson2655

5y↑14

💯Facts

@randysavage1

5y↑34

Thought it already was lol

98 More Replies...

@theguy4407

2y↑1.5K

Goosebumps everytime gunplay starts rapping

@brodycurtner777

2y↑48

I got the same feeling one of the dopest verses I know about . ABSOLUTELY

@SouLEmpire

2y↑5

@makomachamp9647

2y↑23

I get them when the first “Elmer fudd said shoot him down” plays

@griffiththai

2y↑2

‼️

@MesterMugz

He Real asf

13 More Replies...

@JimmyConway15

33w↑412

This song is proof that Kendrick didn’t accidentally become great. Man’s has always had it in him, this song is 10+ years old 🎉

@futurehofer1564

32w↑23

gkmc released like more than 10 years ago your comment makes no sense

@satanm8c40

30w↑6

@futurehofer1564 pretty sure it's yours that doesn't make any sense.

@JimmyConway15

30w↑9

@@futurehofer1564hense why I said 10 PLUS years old, TF ?????🤨

@kaushitwakafidi

29w↑5

Kendrick was already popping 10 years ago

@JimmyConway15

29w↑1

Nobody said he wasn’t

6 More Replies...

@chaozz098

1y↑763

2023 and this still hits differently , forever an underrated gem

@carefreeme8202

46w↑20

Buddy played this for me when i was tripping balls years ago. Still get goosebumps everytime i hear it.

@Billnye299

44w

Underrated bruh there’s 32m views lmao reaching ass mfs I swear

@adhilismail5299

43w↑4

You know the vibes.

@bastianlueiza116

42w

ALWAYS

@Dguez303

42w↑1

I just logged into my old YouTube and went into my likes and I just discovered this again 🙌🏽 i totally forgot about this, this song is insane

8 More Replies...

@travislevell1329

27w↑114

Ngl I thought this was the official video for years. Joshua Forman went way too hard making this. Even syncing the cartoon characters with the lyrics. A pure gem

@perc3136

22w↑2

Frrrr

@CarpeDiem8711

21w↑8

If I'm not mistaken, Kendrick shared this video and referred to it as the official video for the song.

@joeyferretiz5916

18w

I literally just now realized this 😭😭😭

@joeyferretiz5916

18w

& I’ve been playing this since 2015😂😂

@Epic_Link

18w↑3

My friend showed me this song about 10 years ago. Absolute chills every time. A timeless musical masterpiece.

@dominicthelordkabinga

2y↑4K

Kendrick’s a real dude for not filing a copyright claim for this video.

@TomRussss

2y↑201

I dunno if he can, did this ever get an official release?
Heard it was supposed to be on GKMC but couldn't get on cause of sample clearance

@ferguspitcher7911

2y↑152

@w h a t w a s t h a t Yea don't think Kendrick even has copyright claim for this haha

@ErickeverRB

2y↑83

He acknowledged it

@TwoDollarGararge

2y↑22

I think his label does that

@hationdredjr3856

2y↑62

Prolly liked it tbh lol

48 More Replies...

@joshuagregoire9504

1y↑234

10 years later, still a perfect hip hop song. Kendrick Lamar a genius.

@benjaminalatise4512

48w↑9

Gunplays Verse is just insane

@trevormurray8817

1y↑143

Just found this because someone wrote it on the wall at a Starbucks near my apartment. Been a Kendrick fan for a decade and this song blew my mind. happy the stars aligned for this to be in my life

@HaikesXO

25w↑1

SALT ALL IN MY WOUNDS

@E_915

1y↑284

Chills every time I hear the tone in Gunplays verse..

Hand on my heart, face to the hood, I pledge every word you ever heard was honest
Yeah this me, no mic, no cameras, no lights.. just pain
MAMA HOW MUCH TRAUMA CAN I SUSTAIN?!

@Mugen123456789

39w↑7

This verse made me realize gunplay was dope

@kalidell3137

28w↑1

You heard Bible on the dash by him? Dope

@E_915

28w↑2

@@kalidell3137 Classic.

@Sadowsky95

2y↑546

"nobody can can mute me, but i never said nobody cant shoot me" songs a hidden gem i come back to constantly

@BrandonBlu7

1y↑12

Still vibing 2022 2023here we come 🎉

@RealAlexaDanielle

1y↑14

Here in 2023🎉!!

@RealAlexaDanielle

1y↑9

Happy new year y’all

@Will_954

Fa sho

@SelfishnessIgnorance

2023

4 More Replies...

@mgmargaret24

25w↑25

11 years ago.. . Still on repeat aged like fine wine 🎶

@connormoon8363

3y↑3.9K

Almost ten years later, still one of the best songs Kendrick ever made

@shaegraber2496

3y↑62

My personal favorite

@GresanatCeramique

3y↑46

The first Kendrick song I've heard and the best to me !

@Csy0095

2y↑5

yup

@elyjahg6835

2y↑22

@Gresanat Céramique bro theres no way this is your first kdot song bro

@archiemcgrath1222

2y↑2

@elyjah g what's yours

41 More Replies...

@TheMasterGEA

47w↑76

I saw Kendrick live and towards the end of the show he asked the crowd to name any song in his catalog and he'd perform it. I was the only one screaming this.

@luisdealba4126

47w↑7

Goat

@MrDanielSolano007

47w↑5

U is a real one, I bet all the hipsters were asking for the regular ish

@TheMasterGEA

47w↑6

@Dan Sol's Yeah he ended up performing Alright. Which I love that record too but I wish he would have pulled this one out

@yakunats

44w↑6

A damn shame the crowd didn't join you

@NipseyXIV

26w↑2

He played this once at of his earlier concerts I went to, but stopped at Gunplays verse

1 More Replies...

@Iball2120

2y↑365

True gem. Not even on iTunes. Ladies and gentlemen we are true Kendrick fans cause casuals don’t know this masterpiece.

@YeahForSure99

1y↑11

This was meant to be on good kid, MAAD city but they couldn't clear the sample.

@chrisl1832

1y↑2

Gotta just have this video playing on my phone so I can hear it in my car

@hajjamajd

1y↑26

“Casuals don’t know about this masterpiece”🤓

@BridgeEntertainment2001

1y↑1

@Hajjamajd lol right

@bootysensei

There’s 30 million views on this song you cornball

7 More Replies...

@NobleVagabond2552

1y↑94

This has gotta be one of the most atmospheric and immersive hip hop songs of all time, and idt those words are used often to describe hip hop

@CpHakR1

1y↑4

Listen to more hip hop then

@yuhjeice7186

30w

@@CpHakR1L

@hpksiknh

24w↑1

i second, game recognise game, u dont need experiece if an art piece is screaming loud enough

@alexanderferguson1734

30w↑26

One of the songs that would always play at like 3 am when the party is winding down. I love this song.

@johnoop7123

1y↑81

Can’t believe this came out 10 years ago, the song and the video fit so well. Glad to see people still stick around to listening to this, it’s abstract and so nostalgic especially with gunplay on it.

@Hazesorry

49w↑1

You got me

@SCOODAMcGOODA

34w

Facts

@trashhuman3977

4y↑2.7K

This song has an atmosphere that no other song has

@ispywithmy3rdeye222

4y↑30

U so right

@claymoregang2979

4y↑20

Absolutely

@kingpinbro6514

4y↑31

Money trees or sherane, kendricks music sounds like no other 🔥

@moonshinei

4y↑54

Kendrick's producers are amazing man

@lordbrownkid6378

4y↑14

Similar to blackskin head, wash us in the mood, freestyle 4, Nd backseat freestyle

29 More Replies...

@SCOODAMcGOODA

34w↑20

I grew up bumping 90s/early 00s rap, but ill never forget hearing this track... i played kendricks first verse back 1000000 times... this a classic!!!!

@ElizabethLiliana

20w↑3

Still can’t get this song out of head 11+ years later 😩🔥🔥 Spotify doesn’t do justice to the bass to this song 🎶 but this version still slaps 👏🏽

@Drummasterjay

1y↑43

The nostalgia that runs through my veins when I hear this song is insane! As soon as the sample comes on the hairs on my arm stand up like it did when I first heard it.

@stevenhageman8255

41w↑13

this is one of those songs that if you're getting comfortable, when you hear it, it makes you hungry and ambitious again.

@jacksonzante5817

4y↑15K

ive never heard another person other than myself play this

@oldheadyer952

3y↑779

U livin in da wrong area g

@damienkun8786

3y↑294

Facts... I was bumping this for awhile

@josephmartinelli5660

3y↑434

Need a new circle dawg lol

@TheRuddboyy

3y↑228

Some funny comments on here, but I get your point. Sometimes I feel that way too with some jams, that includes the Kendrick from this era.

@N8ivePride612

3y↑252

I never hear much of anything i play from anyone other than myself..

500+ More Replies...

@xxxzachxxxzachrenaud2611

45w↑12

This is the greatest production of any song ever of all time. Idk how this can can come from someone’s head so perfectly. Kendrick is the goat.

@jameshart4816

42w↑33

This shit hits my soul every time I listen to it 💯

@NuGloom

31w↑13

one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time that's elevated by a phenomenal video.

@travismurphy2436

2y↑36

An entire decade later, and still one of my favorite songs by Kendrick.

@DecoyOctopus96

1y↑10

All these years later and still waiting for this to come to Spotify.

@timfuller3077

51w↑1

It’s on there. Just called cartoon by Kendrick Lamar

@DecoyOctopus96

51w

@Tim Fuller dude. Thank you so much.

@ck675

25w

@@timfuller3077quality is atrocious

@JADED-EAZY

4y↑1.9K

Can’t even imagine how crazy it would be if Kendrick played this at a packed show

@swayzee5473

4y↑37

Amazing is what it would be.

@Tayrose007

3y↑62

He has. It was crazy

@ChrisReactz93

3y↑12

Absolute pandemonium.

@rapdathat11

3y↑75

He actually played this one when he did a show in Amsterdam in 2013 (7th February)! It was the last song he played, I remember going crazy as I did not at all expect it but I was hoping he would play and he did! Crowd went crazy

@ericpruchnicki8685

3y↑43

I remember the Good Kid tour in 2013 in Cleveland. He finished his set and then came back out and did an encore with Cartoons and Cereal .. it was dopeeeee

25 More Replies...

@DELIRIUMCRAM

42w↑10

Man, can’t help but to feel a knot in my throat every time I hear this masterpiece

@alderweghier3935

1y↑13

One of the hidden gems of Kendrick catalogue. Also dont know much of gunplays music, but he fits unexpectedly well on this track

@kingclutch9443

1y↑9

Cartoons and cereal and Power Circle are two of my favorite songs. Both have Kendrick and Gunplay. Both are masterpieces.

@owlpharaoh713

Crazyyy I was showing my homie Power Circle and that’s what triggered the memory of this song. The two songs were top tier for me at the time!

@billay100795

43w↑19

Maaan i always end up coming back to this song and Gunplay's verse is probably the most realist the most hardest verse ive heard... man said "Ya thats me no mic, no cameras, no lights just pain... momma how much trauma can i sustain" like god dam shit hits me everytime! 🔥

@mistersay1999

1y↑68

2023 and this shit harder than most rappers nowadays

@domicandomi5096

19w

All these rappers booty compared to this song right here

@yodotmega6380

5y↑4.1K

This may be the greatest fan-made music video OF ALL TIME

@tylerdurden7534

5y↑14

Big facts.

@Switch0079

5y↑10

It's official tho...

@crypto7182

5y↑127

Paul Betty no it’s not

@leandrosierra1951

5y↑80

Best fucking fan made video ever

@blkenuf8943

5y↑4

100% Facts!

37 More Replies...

@SibusisoPrince-

28w↑8

A testament to kendricks talent, this man has always had it. But let’s talk about this Gunplay verse, possibly the only time you actually can’t wait for someone else to start rapping after kendrick already has.

@ZayNineFour

1y↑26

Still come back to listen to this masterpiece every now and then.

@josebravo311

35w↑12

One of the hardest Dot verses ever! I come back casually and bump out of nowhere since it dropped

@jordanbohn2701

1y↑14

This banger has been out for literally 10 years and I still love it. Crazy world y’all.

@sphakamisozondi

1y↑4

Bruh, i still can't believe that this is a throw away track. It's freaking good

@2zs473

4y↑3.1K

This song is hands down one of Kendrick's most fire songs

@WheelsRefinished

4y↑76

Right up there with Backseat Freestyle and Rigamortis

@user-jr3ur2ce5u

4y↑64

2 z's untitled 07 is underrated

@2zs473

4y↑5

@B T yeah that's a really good one too

@stagger9660

4y↑8

@B T levitate

@44_gladiator

4y↑11

One of the best songs ever any genre

16 More Replies...

@mug281

1y↑23

I’ll forever remember Kendrick making this his encore song on his GKMS tour show in Orlando. I had sang 99 percent of every word he spoke up to that point. I didn’t even have a single hope that this song would be involved in the show because of copyright issues. He left the stage, the crowd got rowdy, and the intro to this song played. I lost my sh**. Great night.

@ruidias8038

1y↑1

Gonna see kendrick in June, Portugal! So hypeeed

@canadiangoose7665

This sounds crazy, is there any video of this show?

@djlethargic

46w↑1

@Rui Dias Did you see him yet?

@fredrickomonudo7134

45w↑7

What a great masterpiece by Kendrick Lamar
Even after 10 years 🔥🔥🔥🔥

@GurthBrooks619

35w↑7

There’s no way this wasn’t shunned by the industry for a reason. This is such a heavy track and directly relevant to our generation as a whole. Such a wild song to show people. No one has heard it

@kurexx3424

21w

33 million people have

@GurthBrooks619

21w

@@kurexx3424 you don't know how views work or how many people are in this world lol. I have 3,000 of those views

@kurexx3424

21w

@@GurthBrooks619 oh shit lmao, nah I get that I just wasn’t thinking last night my fault I was faded asl. But still a lot of people have heard it and some fans at like it’s some unheard, underground song with like 10k views

@CallMeWillieB3

1y↑14

Gunplay dropped one of the best verses ever in Hip Hop/Rap seriously, supremely underrated verse

@drewlincoln8110

1y↑19

you got to love how Kendrick is able to make a song that creepy, sad , nerdy and a BANGER all at the same time. ps. if i were you i would've tried asking people if there is a chance that i can go see kendrick and explain that i made a video that he shouted out, obviously its to late for that

@AlexanderNathan2346

20w↑2

This was the song that was played when I first got high when I was like 14, I’m 23 now and it still holds a special place in my heart and soul 🔥🔥🔥

@alanmoyo2639

19w

The same damn experience I had a decade ago with the same song. Reminiscence of childhood.

@CarTorqSA

4y↑963

Bro, this must have taken ages to create. Respect bro.

@augustxiii2580

4y↑1

Of da 🏥🏔🐅

@TheLastMillennials

4y↑6

Yep

@uncharted7againblackking256

4y↑3

Lol not in his times it wasn't hmmm

@kyne3127

1y↑1

@DeadpoolDawgg

1y↑7

My husband showed me this song like a month ago and I can’t get enough of it. I’ve been missing out lol

@xochitl4599

2y↑23

10 years later, now I’m 22, still listening to this song to ease my 🧠 ☁️….

@Lilherrm

1y↑2

Same! 🙌🏽 brings back a lot of good school memories.

@jameshart4816

42w↑9

I was able to hear this Live at Virginia Tech when Kendrick Lamar opened for Mac Miller..
Needless to say A Star Was Born 💯

@dannydimes3350

1y↑9

Saw this for the first time ever while doing acid for the first time and I can’t telll you the emotional rollercoaster this was, simultaneously being sad, mad and inspired all at the same time, this song has a deep place in my heart

@MrFatso128

Same thing my guy, but with mushrooms for me, such a awesome song and thank you to who ever made this video

@1234tofly

1y↑130

Man if they would’ve released this officially it would’ve changed Gunplays Career

@isaiahgann3804

1y↑7

on god

@GGGZ777

1y↑6

man the leaks fucked it, i heard it was supposed to be a huge track on the album.

@thedevilsstepson9355

1y↑6

Fucking facts. But he's too hood for mainstream. I love his music. But you know image and such🤦🏾‍♂️

@zynel413

46w↑1

@Gabe Seeks pretty sure it was sample clearances as well, but it leaking def didn't help

@tristinlawson1092

2y↑1.5K

We going into 2022 and this is still legendary

@andredent2155

2y↑14

I play this everyday man

@jsb1996-2

2y↑5

@domcrawford8587

2y↑10

He went great ape on this one

@benonano2470

2y↑10

It's like I'm time travelling listening to this

@lindygraham8366

2y↑3

Facts

26 More Replies...

@TEXANBEAST12

30w↑5

bro why didn't he release this. I don't even listen to rap that much anymore but always come back to this song its so immersive i can't explain it, this song is amazing

@ammermannd32

23w↑2

Everything about this song: the beat, the background vocals, the verses, all the tiny samples....is all so visceral. You really FEEL this song like a literal gut punch. Absolutely incredible.

@mrmeup_6633

30w↑4

Was talking to my friend today about Kendrick, and this song came up. Still a banger!

@royalhighnesstreats2602

2y↑21

Saw him perform this love and this shit goes so hard!! The days of cartoons and cereal man…. The older you get the better you realize you had it

@Tigercam24

1y↑9

It's not exaggeration to say Gunplay's verse may be one of the best features in Hip -Hop history. Dude was out his body when he spit that verse. It came straight from his soul

@bv1012

10y↑47

Josh... This is probably the greatest unofficial music video created... usually people just try and mix together past videos the artist has made but you went back and matched sound bites from the song and mixed everything to the beat.. Absolutely amazing.

@JoshForman

10y↑12

thank you homie! appreciate the kind words

@nilskolender3702

1y↑11

Honestly just found this track/video a few days ago and since then I can't stop listening to this bangerrr

@popeworkout

1y↑1

Holy crap I remember banging this literally since 2012 that's wild my dude

@zinan2959

23w↑4

If this song was on GKMC i think it reaches Illmatic level as being the GOAT rap album because this song, the lyrics the production is untouchable.

@jarrellmeade7117

21w

it was the intro on one of the earlier versions of it Punch said. I think they had issues clearing the sample.

@FortyDutchBandit

24w↑4

This song got me through basic training 11 years ago. We used to get 10 minutes of phone time and i would just listen to this song to hype me up.

@88thcentury

39w↑4

bro after reading your description i went to check out your website to see what else you've done since then. That's crazy that you did the vfx for School High - Pro Era. Used to bump these songs in highschool all the time. Crazy how you turned one fan made music video into an entire career. That's mad inspirational bro. Big love

@vanessadumay5960

33w↑4

This takes me back to my childhood watching the cartoons and i admire the creativity is mindblowing.

@mc.killatown152

4y↑4K

This ain't even fan made anymore. This the real shit

@dae910

3y↑29

Frfr

@jadenthomas8546

3y↑22

Really though

@adumligess9755

3y↑81

I mean it hasn't gotten taken down and shit you know kdot cool with it. Legit af I just stumbled on this again. How could I I I forget

@munlitegreg3650

3y↑4

Bruh I agree with ya

@brandonmccall2980

3y↑16

Bro real talk. My memories and nostalgia will always have this as the video

46 More Replies...

@ninobrown825

52w↑3

the video and the song are mindbending,fuckin masterpiece and gunplay raps straight from the soul
🌋🌋🫡🫡🫡🌋🌋

@hallibeaumont7236

23w↑2

The beat fades and gunplay yelling “mama how much trauma can I sustain” chills every single time without fail.

@swayzeee6437

42w↑6

Timeless song ❤

@zsebestien7050

1y↑32

This song just makes you feel invincible

@420Htown247

1y↑9

Been listening to this for 10 years. Still come back for the chills it gives me.

@Sonflawur

3y↑3K

I forgot this song existed.. I literally just found a flash drive when I was in high school in 2014 and this song was saved under “ahead of its time” 😭

@gaskindesignstudios3998

3y↑76

What are the other tracks?

@playboiguss1763

3y↑136

damn that's dope you really had the right mindset about dis song dawg

@lilly_4519

3y↑37

make a playlist from those pls

@smokeablunthoe8678

3y↑20

to true way ahead of 2012 😭

@Spikeleenephew

3y↑1

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

48 More Replies...

@urielagredano6766

38w↑5

This is that song i pull out from behind my playlist to shake the vibe 😎 always works 😉

@trethomas63

50w↑7

It’s something great about this song!! I be all up and down the streets bumping this! Every time I play it, someone’s like “yoooo I haven’t heard that in so long”

@MrJamie198

25w↑3

Been my fav song since it came out... still showing my friends in 2023 and they've nvr heard it. Just wild

@michaelkayser4194

1y↑8

I had never heard of Kendrick Lamar before and heard this song for the first time in 2013 on the radio in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, this one channel had a really fucking dope hip hop show (shout out to whoever was running that). The thing that always strikes me about this song is the structure, the multiple refrains, the energy switches, and the fact that they used the first chunk of Gunplay's verse as part of the chorus. It's crazy how conceptual and just plain hard this song is at the same time. Kendrick was an ambitious fucking 22 year old.

@meruema

37w↑4

This video is insane man. Even more so when it still holds up well 11 years later

@jd5726

2y↑836

This has got to be the greatest unreleased song of all time! Bro, kendrick is crazy for not dropping this, it's an absolute masterpiece

@LversEvE444

1y↑53

This is one of those 10/10 rap songs, produced so well and the lyrics are so deep and visual

@dominicmckeough9930

1y↑4

@Jaeveon Abercrombie any others like this you know of ?

@Toasterbath364

1y↑18

@@dominicmckeough9930 The entirety of Yandhi

@Toasterbath364

1y↑9

@@dominicmckeough9930 To name a few though it would be Alien, Law of Attraction and Chakras

@mts9266

1y↑11

@Brian Diehl DUDE THE BEAT SWITCH ON ALIEN HAD ME FLOATING

9 More Replies...

@Y2T1G

2y↑26

@Edevil085

33w↑8

Kendrick's unreleased music is better than some people's entire discography

@hunterwalker3705

45w↑5

10 years ago that’s crazy, Kendrick really generational talent

@scottiesimpin8242

2y↑9

10 years ago Kendrick performed this and I remember being awe struck, it was nothing I’ve heard before at the time. Legendary track right here.

@seancoats7386

1y↑5

This song got me through some very very dark times

@Person-01

52w

Hip hop on a whole helps alot in those times, we know our medicine and we take it daily👍😅

@josesoto2342

4y↑6K

Imagine making a fan music video for an underground song, and in 7 years having 23 mil views and having the easiest way for fans to listen to an unreleased song.

@jamesbaden2368

4y↑67

Jose Soto big comment

@WheelsRefinished

4y↑50

200IQ

@tyshonsullivan4959

Yeah

@Pacific-qu7en

4y↑19

Jose Soto shoutout to Josh Forman
💯🔥🔥🔥✌️

@michaelbecker2693

4y↑16

josh's da real mvp

36 More Replies...

@kendallholiday7866

1y↑4

I was blessed to be given the memory of him playing this live

@scottiesimpin8242

27w

Same not gonna lie was a crazy experience

@ExxoHD

47w↑4

After all these years, this song still fckn slaps! Definitely one of my favorite kendrick songs. To y'all listening this masterpiece, you re legends.

@bradjara2869

1y↑7

Still banging 10 years later this and watch out for detox are my favorite Kendrick songs

@ajziyad11

51w↑10

This song brings tears to my eyes everytime.

@ashleybanzxxx

47w

Hella nostalgic on everything this song reminds me of who I was and who I am

@tinyking11

24w

So nostalgic. Reminds me of my early college days. 😩🥲🔥

@hesmakesmusic

26w↑7

Legit one of KDot’s greatest songs, released or un-. 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 Ahd it still hits the same after all these years, still 🔥🔥🔥🔥

@ichewbuds

4y↑1.4K

Gunplay's verse on this is one of the best guest verses of all time. My mans gone berserk on this

@leumelmalcom7015

4y↑99

I was looking for someone to compliment his verse. He went stupid!!!

@pedroguerrero7480

3y↑34

He’s a feature king

@i.theworstguys298

3y↑16

He’s like Ty Dolla $ with how elite his features constantly are lol

@krazywu

3y↑27

yea, he paced himself and was gritty and droppin jewels....fire

@terosejosengoe9893

3y↑27

THIS ISN'T TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH!!😭😭😭

40 More Replies...

@jayplant8493

1y↑26

Hardest beat ever. Greatest flow ever. Gunplay was a perfect feature. Who still bumping this in 2022?

@ThePlopey123

52w↑2

2023 🤞

@johnyb860

35w

∞

@kurayahmi

44w↑3

Nobody ever talks about how Gunplay did his thang on this joint. His verse hard too

@trapkagesama

49w↑2

I use to listen to this all the time when it first came out!!!! One of the hardest low-key Kendrick songs gunplay actually snapped on this as well there was no quality drop from Kendrick to gunplay 🔥🔥🔥

@willlawrence7548

2y↑5

This was the first song I ever heard by him on a college radio station when I was working at like 3am, probably 10 plus years ago. I just remember thinking, this guy's gonna be huge. Haven't heard it in so long, still bad ass.

@duey2x16

1y↑25

i have come back to this over and over for like 6 years now, so fire

@frenchibristianbok8847

9y↑1.4K

This video is amazing..needs to be the official video dead ass

@JoshForman

9y↑52

Francheska Perez dead ass

@user-ey4ds1np2u

9y↑5

You make no sense.

@TJ0614

9y↑41

makes perfect sense...

@phat-b6771

9y↑2

This is the official video

@lazerrr.

Josh Forman dead ass

61 More Replies...

@traceewolff_

34w↑4

I'll never forget hearing this for the first time 10+ years ago in the back of my now deceased friends car, driving around on a hot summer night in cleveland ohio, no doubt, up to no good. crazy how time flies.