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.
Don
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up and ups just fine
Gonna up and up this life
Til' we're go down on our luck
It makes no difference in this life
Up and ups just fine
Gonna up and up this life
Lifting up, lifting up
Lifting up
Coming down, coming down
Coming down
Wake them up, wake them up
To the sound, yeah
They tell you pullover, tell you get out the car (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it
They wanna see your hands, tell you hold up your arms (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it
Right when you're alone
Waiting for your kid's
School bus to arrive (but you know)
They're gonna do it anyway
Reaching for your keys
Wait, is that your phone?
Got a TBI
Wait, is that police?
Get out for what?
I'm not your guy (but you know)
They're gonna do it anyway
Wife behind the trees
Tryna to tell you don't
They're about to fire
They're gonna do it anyway
They're gonna do it anyway
They're gonna do it anyway
They're gonna do it anyway
They tell you pullover, tell you get out the car (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it
They wanna see your hands, tell you hold up your arms (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Don't do it, don't don't do it
Whoa Ferguson, Oh Baltimore
Raleigh, North Carolina (but you know)
They're gonna do it anyway
Wisconsin, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cleveland, Ohio
Montgomery, Baton Rouge, Cincinnati car
Dayton, Ohio (but you know)
They're gonna do it anyway
New York, New Jersey, Phoenix, Minnesota
South Carolina
They gonna do it anyway
They are gonna do it anyway
They are gonna do it anyway
They are gonna do it anyway
They are gonna do it anyway
You better duck, run fast from the mania
Don't stare, don't laugh at the media
Brake free, press gas when it enter ya'
Don't let it go bad when he ante up
Highway, get out the way
Black man do your great escape
Pac-man wanna prosecute you, raise your hand up, and they'll shoot ya'
Face off, face off Adolf Hitler
Grandkids slayed off
Niggas, same rules, same chalk
Different decade, same law
Keep focus, you wanna get caught with your eyes open
You wanna stay clear of the prognosis
Pride provoked him, watch demotion
Watch em' close enough
Don't let the holster bake or roast ya'
Rollercoaster ride that bitch
Soon the lady's eyes gon' switch
You know Johnny got that itch
How many more of us gotta see the coroner?
Slain by the same badge, stop, wait, brake, fast!
Don't do it, don't don't do it
Don't do it, don't don't do it
Don't do it, don't don't do it
Don't do it, don't don't do it
In the first verse, Kendrick Lamar acknowledges that life can be unpredictable and full of ups and downs. However, he chooses to focus on the positive and strive towards the highs in life, even if they may not last forever. The repeated lines emphasize the desire to keep moving forward and upwards, regardless of potential setbacks. The second verse shifts into a commentary on police brutality and racial profiling in America. The repeated lines change to "Simon says," referencing the children's game that creates a sense of obedience and makes it clear who is in control. This repetition is used to highlight the power dynamic between police and the black community. Kendrick describes the fear and anxiety that many people experience during encounters with law enforcement, even when they have done nothing wrong. The line "but you know they're gonna do it anyway" speaks to the systemic oppression and racism that persists in America despite efforts to reform and progress.
The final verse includes a call to action for black people to be aware and cautious of their surroundings and avoid confrontations with the police whenever possible. The repeated refrain serves as a warning to not give into the demands of police officers who may have ulterior motives or act with excessive force. The names of various cities where police brutality has occurred are listed, again emphasizing the prevalence of this issue. Kendrick also references the legacy of slavery and the continued discrimination faced by black people in America. Overall, the song is a powerful statement on race relations and the need for change in America.
Line by Line Meaning
It makes no difference in this life
The circumstances of life do not matter
Up and ups just fine
Continuing to rise in life is good enough
Gonna up and up this life
Going to continue to rise in life
Til' the lift gets stuck
Keep rising until you can't anymore
They tell you pullover, tell you get out the car (Simon says)
Police tell you to stop your car and exit the vehicle
Don't do it, don't don't do it (Simon says)
Do not obey the police order to stop the car
Right when you're alone
Referring to waiting for the school bus, a setting that should be safe
They're gonna do it anyway
The police are going to use force regardless of the situation
They are gonna do it anyway
The police are going to use force regardless of the city or state
You better duck, run fast from the mania
Avoid the chaos and danger caused by police brutality
Don't stare, don't laugh at the media
Do not become desensitized to the media's portrayal of police brutality
Different decade, same law
The laws have not changed despite the years passed
Don't let the holster bake or roast ya'
Do not let the police reach for their gun and put you in danger
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BREAUX, KENDRICK LAMAR, PHARRELL L. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevejrs
I am a sinner
Who's probably gonna sin again
Lord forgive me
Lord forgive me
Things I don't understand
Sometimes I need to be alone
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
I can feel your energy from two planets away
I got my drink I got my music I would share it but today I'm yelling
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Look inside of my soul and you can find gold and maybe get rich
Look inside of your soul and you can find out it never exist
I can feel the changes
I can feel a new life
I always knew life can be dangerous
I can say that I like a challenge and you tell me it's painless
You don't know what pain is
How can I paint this picture
When the color blind is hanging with ya?
Fell on my face and I woke with a scar
Another mistake living deep in my heart
Wear it on top of my sleeve in a flick
I can admit that it did look like yours
Why you resent every making of this?
Tell me your purpose is petty again
But even a small lighter can burn a bridge
Even a small lighter can burn a bridge
I can feel the changes
I can feel the new people 'round me just want to be famous
You can see that my city found me put me on stages
To me that's amazing
To you that's a quick check, with all disrespect let me say this
I am a sinner
Who's probably gonna sin again
Lord forgive me
Lord forgive me
Things I don't understand
Sometimes I need to be alone
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
I can feel your energy from two planets away
I got my drink I got my music I would share it but today I'm yelling
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
I'm trying to keep it alive and not compromise the feeling we love
You trying to keep it deprived and only co-sign what radio does
And I'm looking right past ya
We live in a world, we live in a world on two different axles
You live in a world, you living behind the mirror
I know what you scared of, the feeling of feeling emotions inferior
This shit is vital, I know you had to
This shit is vital, I know you had to
Die in a pitiful vain, tell me a watch and a chain
Is way more believable, give me a feasible gain
Rather a seasonal name, I'll let the people know this is something you can blame
On yourselves you can remain, stuck in a box
I'ma break out and then hide every lock
I'ma break out and then hide every lock
I can feel the changes
I can feel the new people around me just want to be famous
You can see that my city found me put me on stages
To me that's amazing
To you that's a quick check, with all disrespect let me say this
I am a sinner
Who's probably gonna sin again
Lord forgive me
Lord forgive me
Things I don't understand
Sometimes I need to be alone
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
I can feel your energy from two planets away
I got my drink I got my music I would share it but today I'm yelling
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
You ain't heard the coast like this in a long time
Don't you see that long line?
And they waiting on Kendrick like the first and the fifteenth
3's in the air I can see you are in sync
Hide your feelings, hide your feelings now what you better do
I'll take your girlfriend and put that pussy on a pedestal
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Walk out the door and they scream it's alive
My new year's resolution is to stop all the pollution
Talk too motherfucking much, I got my drink I got my music
I say bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
Bitch don't kill my vibe
@peterkamau917
Leaving this comment here so that whenever someone likes it I'm reminded of this song 🥺♥️
@connor12912
yeooo
@kiddluchi1622
Wow using his name to get likes
@itg9272
Got u
@nautikient2151
@@kiddluchi1622 lol
@omarcentral5261
Heyy
@marinersmith2612
“I am a sinner, who’s probably gonna sin again”
@anoncematedebabatunde8163
“Lord forgive me,Lord forgive me”
@danielandrew2383
Me failing no nut November:
@oneeyemorales9385
@Burning Tatortot Bitch don't kill my vibe bitch don't kill my vibe..