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.
Determined
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
In the simplest terms possible
Because it will reveal to you why it is true
That’s whatever the mind can
Deceive and believe the mind can achieve
Regardless of how many times you may
Have failed in the past
Or off day your aims and hopes may be
Go getter, with no cheddar
Just a white tee and a swap meet sweater
My life is likely to see great endeavors
But I can't win if I can't get it together
What I gotta do in order to see success?
Having the world's best to call me the best?
Pull up at the Grammy awards
As the best dressed
With an address linked to
A beautiful actress?
A dollar and a dream, I feel J cole
Word to the hole in my pocket and the hoes
That don't wanna fuck with a
Broke nigga with ambition
But the last time I checked
Y'all was broke bitches
Make a name for myself then bubble
Like the ass of Buffy
When she wearing a tight belt
The homies on the block can
Say whatever they say
I don't wanna be a killer, I wanna be a Gates
In time, it'll come
Just stay focused and humble, my son
Show and prove, prove you're the one
It's not about who is dopest
Who wants it the most
So just go out and get it go out and get it
Go out and get it go out and get it
What I gotta do in order to see success?
Having the world's best to call me the best
Pull up at the Grammy awards as best dressed
With an address next to a beautiful actress
Do I gotta run in your
Spot and start blastin'
Better yet, rob the nearest Nix Check Cashing
Ear hustle on a nigga
That's constantly braggin'
Catch him at the light
Snatch him out his Jeep wagon
Or maybe I gotta hook up with Jose
Cop 5 bricks of the yay, head to the Bay
Area or carry the birds to VA
Let the Clipse distribute the work all day
Then come back home
Every three weeks flip three to six zones
Homies on the block can
Say whatever they want
I don't wanna be a dealer, I wanna be a Trump
Donald, that is
In time, it'll come
Just stay focused and humble, my son
Show and prove, prove you're the one
It's not about who is dopest
Who wants it the most
So just go out and get it
(And when I do I do it again then I go back
When I do I do it again then I go back
Thug it out) go out and get it
(But for now I'mma go head and doug it out
I gotta rhyme, rhyme) go out and get it
Go out and get it
So welcome to the story of my life
See I'm tryna get to get right
Off the shit that I write make a fortune
Buy some Porsches for my momma and my wife
Pops engine in this old school run tiiight!
But as you listening to K-D-O T
Man, me and my girl split the bucket of KFC
She listening to Drake and all
I can say is "Damn
These niggas that much better than me, baby?"
I don't think this is meant to be
Cause I'm always losing self esteem
She paused the iPhone then said, "Huh?"
I repeated what I said then she replied
"Shut up" you know you the best boy
You gotta keep doing it
But don't forget when you do
Just keep you in it
And never listen to what the industry say
Don't be a typical artist, be more like Jay
Russell, Barry Gordy, Quincy Jones
Bob Johnson, Sean Combs, lA reid
Young black entrepreneurs did what
It took to succeed, yeah
So I gotta see success
I gotta make it off them Rosecrans steps
Rising to the top like a soda shook up
Bout to pop
And I'll pop on whoever's in my way
Go out and get it go out and get it
The lyrics to "Determined" by Kendrick Lamar convey a message of perseverance and ambition. The song's protagonist, possibly reflecting Lamar's own experiences, speaks about his drive to achieve success despite facing obstacles and setbacks. He emphasizes the power of the mind, claiming that one can deceive and believe in their own abilities, regardless of past failures or discouragement from others.
The first verse sets the scene of a determined individual who is willing to work hard for their dreams, even without financial resources or a glamorous lifestyle. The singer desires to be recognized as the best in their field, symbolized by attending the Grammy Awards and being the best dressed. They express a longing for fame and wealth, yet acknowledge that they are currently broke and ambitious. The lyrics reference J. Cole and his song "Dollar and a Dream," drawing parallels between their paths and aspirations.
The second verse explores different paths to success, including illegal activities such as robbery and drug dealing. However, the singer dismisses these options, stating that they want to be someone of high status like Donald Trump. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of both legal and illegal methods to achieve success but ultimately chooses a lawful path. They express a desire to make it big in the music industry and are willing to work tirelessly to achieve their goals.
Overall, "Determined" conveys a message of resilience and determination, highlighting the importance of staying focused, humble, and dedicated to achieving success.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tinashe Chanakira
[Napoleon Hill:]
"I want to describe my discovery in the simplest terms possible because it will reveal to you why it is true that's whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve regardless of how many times you may have failed in the past or how lofty your aims and hopes may be."
[Kendrick Lamar:]
Go-getter with no cheddar
Just a white tee and a swap meet sweater
My life is likely to see great endeavors
But I can't win if I can't get it together
What I gotta do in order to see success?
Having the world's best to call me the best
Pull up at the Grammy Awards best-dressed
With an address linked to a beautiful actress
A dollar and a dream, I feel J. Cole
Word to the hole in my pocket and the hoes
That don't wanna fuck with a broke nigga with ambition
But the last time I checked, y'all was broke bitches
Make a name for myself
Then bubble like the ass of Buffy when she wearing a tight belt
The homies on the block can say whatever they say
I don't wanna be a killer, I wanna be a Gates
[Ash Riser:]
Take your time, it'll come
Just stay focused and humble my son
Show and prove, prove you're the one
It's not about who's dope, it's who wants it the most
So just go out and get it
Go out and get it
Go out and get it
Go out and get it
[Kendrick Lamar:]
What I gotta do in order to see success?
Having the world's best to call me the best
Pull up at the Grammy Awards best-dressed
With an address next to a beautiful actress
Do I gotta run in your spot and start blasting?
Better yet, rob the nearest Nix Check Cashing
Hear a hustle on a nigga that's constantly bragging
Catch him at the light, snatch him out his Jeep wagon
Or maybe I gotta hook up with Jose
Cop five bricks of the yay, head to the Bay
Area, or carry the birds to VA
Let the clips distribute the work all day
Then come back home
Every three weeks, flip three-to-six zones
Homies on the block can say whatever they want
I don't wanna be a dealer, I wanna be a Trump
Donald that is
[Ash Riser:]
Take your time, it'll come
Just stay focused and humble my son
Show and prove, prove you're the one
It's not about who's dope, it's who wants it the most
So just go out and get it
Go out and get it
Go out and get it
Go out and get it
[Kendrick Lamar (over chorus):]
And when I do it, I do it again, then I go back
When I do it, I'll do it again, then I go back
Thug it out, but for now I'm willing to dug it out
I gotta grind, grind
[Kendrick Lamar:]
So welcome to the story of my life
See I'm tryna get right off the shit that I write
Make a fortune, buy some Porsches for my mamma and my wife
Pop's engine in this old school run tight!
But as you listening to K. D-O-T
Me and my girl split the bucket at KFC
She listening to Drake and all I can say
"Damn, these niggas that much better than me
Baby?" I don't think this is meant to be
'Cause I'm always losing self-esteem
She paused the iPhone, then said, "Huh?"
I repeated what I said, then she replied, "Shut up!"
You know you the best boy, you gotta keep doing it
But don't forget when you do, just keep you in it
And never listen to what the industry say
Don't be a typical artist, be more like Jay
Russell, Barry Gordy, Quincy Jones
Bob Johnson, Sean Combs, L.A. Reid
Young black entrepreneurs did what it took to succeed, yeah
So I gotta see success
I gotta make it off them Rosecrans steps
Rising to the top like a soda shook up
'Bout to pop, and I'll pop on whoever's in my way
[Ash Riser:]
Take your time, it'll come
Just stay focused and humble my son
Show and prove, prove you're the one
It's not about who's dope, it's who wants it the most
So just go out and get it
Go out and get it
Go out and get it
Go out and get it
[Kendrick Lamar (over chorus):]
Yeah, I swear to God I don't wanna do it, just live man
I wanna live good
Just wanna make my mamma proud, y'know?
I don't wanna be hard, I don't want the most stripes
I got little brothers and sisters man, I'm the oldest nigga
I just want it, I just want it
And I'ma get it
The Batman
This is one of the few songs I’ve heard that makes me feel like I actually can achieve my dreams. The prologue, the energy of the beat and the relatable lines like “I don’t think this is meant to be, cuz I’m always losing self esteem” are just 👌👌
Justin ah
The prologue is Napoleon Hill. Wrote the best success book of the 20th century called Think And Grow Rich. Kendrick is obviously a fan. Many of the most successful people in the world give credit to that book. I highly recommend it! Audiobook free easy to find
ArianVigil
“A dollar and a dream...
I feel J Cole.”
Shit gave me chills look at em now.. both considered GOATS of our generation.
Castle Bravo
Can there be 2 GOATS?
Cully
@Castle Bravo now there is
poisonousdogg
@Castle Bravo in this case yes
Soulzy
Yeah they blow drake out of the fucking water. Real ppl know that .
SOS
Cole isn’t functioning on Kendrick’s level lyrically or vocally. He lacks the worldview that makes Kendrick’s music so captivating.
S. S
This song really keeps me going!!!! 💪🏽
EnchantedIDK
I wanna live good
I just wanna make my mama proud
This one gave me goosebumps
Still one of the most underrated kendrick songs out their as it's now my fav