Born in Compton, California, Lamar began releasing music under the stage name K.Dot while attending high school. He signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005, and co-founded the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy there. Following the 2011 release of his alternative rap debut album Section.80, Lamar secured a joint contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. He rose to fame with his gangsta rap-influenced second album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), which became the longest-charting hip hop studio album in Billboard 200's chart history. In 2015, Lamar scored his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, after featuring on the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood", and released his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which infused hip-hop with historical African-American music genres such as jazz, funk, and soul, and became his first of five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart.
Lamar's critical and commercial success continued with his R&B and pop-leaning fourth album Damn (2017), yielding his second US number-one single, "Humble". He curated original songs for the soundtrack of the 2018 film Black Panther, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the US top-ten single "All the Stars". Lamar's 2022 double album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concluded his tenure with TDE and Aftermath. His feud with Drake and subsequent sixth album GNX (2024) spawned the Hot 100 number-ones "Like That" and "Squabble Up", as well as "Not Like Us", which became the most-awarded song in the Grammy Awards history, with five wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Lamar has received various accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards (the third-most won by a rapper), a Primetime Emmy Award, a Brit Award, 4 American Music Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards (including 2 Video of the Year wins), and a record 37 BET Hip Hop Awards. Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Three of his works were included in Rolling Stone's 2020 revision of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Outside of music, Lamar co-founded the creative company PGLang and ventured into film with his longtime creative partner, Dave Free.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples. Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother. Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth). His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem. He considered studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.
Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives. One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and Dr. Dre film the second music video for their single "California Love" with his father at the Compton Swap Meet. Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views. Although some publications have regarded him as the Shakur of his generation, he has strived to maintain his individuality.
Lamar maintains a low public profile, and is known to be reserved. He is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media. He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality. According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it." His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.
Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with. Although some journalists declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake, some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation. Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah". Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions, causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex. However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop. "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good bridge," he explained to Zane Lowe. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have".
In November 2024, Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX, marking his first project after departing from Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment. The album features collaborations with artists such as SZA, Roddy Ricch, and emerging Los Angeles rappers, and includes production contributions from Jack Antonoff. GNX blends elements reminiscent of his previous works, combining mainstream appeal with complex themes, and introduces new influences like the West Coast club sound. The album's release intensified Lamar's ongoing feud with Drake, particularly with the track "Not Like Us," which became a massive hit and won multiple Grammy awards. Following his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025, GNX returned to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying Lamar's status as a dominant force in contemporary hip-hop.
Enjoy
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Migrated from the North Pole when I was fo'
Infatuated with cartoons and GI joes
'Till something more greater took
A toll: life
Not really, more like white Air Nikes
Evidently, I had a fondness
For material thingsTen years old trynna get a 10-K ring
I forgot it was for me when the phone ringed
Elementary girls callin' the house
Desiree and Cheryl mama end hustled
What we talkin' about
I'm talkin' about the good old
Days when we walked without
Knowing that could be our
Last time walking out
Now we can't walk witout protection
Bein' on the defensive, life ills
This life will put you in a crazy world
Just by knowing crime will never cure
So I'm strapped like Girbaud jeans
I'd rather see the pen like I was bowling
Rather than death, walkin' on heavy steps
It's a great place
But I ain't ready for Heaven yet
So I told God put me at the back of the line
Matter fact yesterday
Swear to God I ain't lyin'
Movin' at a turtle pace
Cause the fast lane got a day one
Uncle with one in the brain
Got one in the chamber sixteen in the clip
My eyes fluttered with angerHip-hop trynna save my life
Give credit whenever it's due
The money touchin' the roof
Breakin' the ceiling
With that being I'm breakin' the loot
With my loved ones, life way too short, son
Shoul is, gotta wake up
Like a bakery, I'm trynna get the cake up
Never know when the day come
So we live carefree party like it's 1999
Cherry cherry breath that I breath
Materialistic things
It won't mean shit when you leave
I ain't lyin'
A nigga miss the good old days
Sippin Kool-Aid, Mama let the OJs play
Nowadays, it seems like the end is near
Cause babies killin' babies like Brenda did
Use ya head, mess around lose ya wig
Age fifteen, shit, a nigga witnessed it
Walking home from school, just me and my team
Shots fired, I guess it wasn't meant for me
So I thank the man in the skies above
For his blessings until a nigga rise above
I'm fly as a dog, more dope than a drug
On the microphone
Lemme kick the verse for y'all
Hip-hop'll never die as long as we alive
Top Dawg E-N T, haters don't even try
You don't wanna pay the price
Of a lyrical ass-whoopin'
We'll let it fly
Watch your career go up in flames, let it fry
Watch it die, no get back, just sit back
Enjoy the ride
Live like it's no tomorrow, enjoy life
I'm still reflectin' on the death of
Mission of the better
Only one that's necessary for Sarah
See, ya'll can say whatever
But still it come together
I used to rip it down and
Let you sew it back together
Hip-hop forever, fuck 'em and whoever fed up
And I wish a hex on whoever met 'em
I'm obsessed with objection
And I'd probably blame Common
For my resurrection i used to love her too
So when I'm in the booth
We do what lovers do but I ain't stingy
Let my niggas get a piece of her too
Another piece and I'm through
Probably trynna peace up with you
Niggas got some believin' to do
It starts now
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's song "Enjoy" are a series of disjointed phrases that paint a picture of the artist's life experiences and observations. The song starts off with Kendrick giving a shoutout to a "finger", possibly referring to someone who gave him the middle finger or a gang sign. He then talks about being pushed a certain line since his days in grade school and his success with women. He seems to have developed a sense of toughness and resilience to the pressures of being a successful artist. He also speaks about the drug trade in his neighborhood and the commodification of women for sex. He ends with a contemplative reflection about his career and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
The song is indicative of Lamar's style of storytelling through vignettes that often offer a glimpse into the experiences of black Americans living in underprivileged communities. The lyrics are layered and complex, often requiring multiple listens to fully grasp their meaning. Lamar's flow is masterful and he effortlessly switches between cadences to emphasize different lyrical elements.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah give respect to the [?] finger
Show respect to the middle finger
I've been pushed that line sice great school of fools
I've been using that line since I was in school
We touch down bitches they wanna fuck now
We arrive and women want to have sex with us
But they can't get it she got ass with a nose like [?]
The woman has a big butt but an unattractive nose
Pimping my pimping they never scared
I am confident in my pimping skills and never afraid
Got really stay pcer there and hustle over here
I have to stay over there and hustle hard
There nigga tryin to take it he gonna fake it till he make it
Someone is trying to take my place and will pretend to be me
Shawty break em like a bracelet
The woman will break someone like a bracelet
Real tongue, here don't you snitch if you get cut
If someone gets cut, they shouldn't tell anyone about it
You already know if you do then you dare
If someone tells about getting cut, they will have to face consequences
And now niggas in the hood trading cush for your baby mama throat
People are trading drugs for oral sex with someone's baby mama
But suck it up bitch deal with it
Deal with it and move on
Ain't' no [?] Bangin bitch for the [?] 'cause yeah I'm the dropand the shooter [?]
I am the one who is causing trouble and shooting
[?] hey you mother fuckers get at me
Contact me
See I grow up with the blew team before there awas a [?] stream
I grew up with the blue team before streaming existed
Seen a lot of niggas knocked out over shoes [?] since the 90s I'm [?]
I have seen many people get knocked out over shoes since the 90s
Here with this career until I'm in the hill after [?]
I plan to continue my career until I die
With this mike like mike when he was black and you
I am like Michael Jordan when he was at his best
You and mamy and me when I was [?]
When I was younger, we were all together
I bring [?] and bring drama like an actor
I bring excitement and drama like an actor
I'm so hot you would think that I'm a rapper
I am so popular that people would think that I am a rapper
You think that I got a [?] It really doesn't matter
Whether or not people think I have a problem, it doesn't matter
Producer release the rapper he's the former I'm the [?]
The rapper is the former but I am the current one
Spacing out this bar so you niggas cloud climb on
I am giving people space to climb up
I proved that you could still make [?] and keep it [?] Strong
I have shown that you can still make music and keep it strong
Put out the industry is hotter than microphone
The music industry is very competitive
Is beat the main stream [?] the nightmare
Defeating the mainstream is the goal
See the entire everything cool still [?]
Everything seems cool but there are still issues
'Cause the right no rules
There are no rules to follow
My nigga way out ha
My friend is very far away
Photo cutless and nothing [?] For your luggage
We take photos and don't care about the luggage
Down trap you [?] To the public we don't believe shit
We bring you down and the public doesn't believe anything
Believing that not [?] Will not [?] And you rapped them
If you don't believe, you won't achieve anything
Should have caused respect them
You should respect them
Make especially with my mental [?] never start the [?]
I am always focused and never start fights
And getting fuck em and getting nothing [?] my way that [?]
I will keep doing what I'm doing even if I don't get anything out of it
Fuck of your [?] my life party [?] about fortune advice
I don't care about your problems, just give me advice about fortune
That the [?] I dressed softly [?]
I dress well
And your [?] you can't do properly fight
You can't fight properly
Everybody's watching alright then my [?]
Everyone is watching me
[?] if you can't got my ship [?] a life here inside
If you can't handle things, then leave the ship and stay inside
Hey man now what you [?] not here [?] Your babies [?] Depth
Hey man, what happened to you? You're not here? Be responsible for your children
Son son
My son
Son son
My son
Son
My son
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MFLMoises2
Kill shot? Rihanna just hit me on a text
Last night I left hickeys on her neck
Wait, you just dissed me? I'm perplexed
Insult me in a line, compliment me on the next, damn
I'm really sorry you want me to have a heart attack
Was watchin' 8 Mile on my NordicTrack
Realized I forgot to call you back
Here's that autograph for your daughter, I wrote it on a Starter cap
Stan, Stan, son, listen, man, dad isn't mad
But how you gonna name yourself after a damn gun and have a man bun?
The giant's woke, eyes open, undeniable
Supplyin' smoke, got the fire stoked
Say you got me in a scope, but you grazed me
I say one call to Interscope and you're Swayze
Your reply got the crowd yelling, "Woo"
So before you die let's see who can out-petty who
With your corny lines (Slim you're old)
Ow, Kelly, ooh, but I'm 45 and I'm still outselling you
By 29 I had three albums that had blew
Now let's talk about somethin' I don't really do
Go in someone's daughter's mouth stealin' food
But you're a fuckin' mole hill, now I'ma make a mountain out of you, woo!
Ho, chill, actin' like you put the chrome barrel to my bone marrow
Gunner? Bitch, you ain't a bow and arrow
Say you'll run up on me like a phone bill, sprayin' lead
Playin' dead, that's the only time you hold still
Are you eating cereal, or oatmeal?
What the fuck's in the bowl, milk? Wheaties or Cheerios?
'Cause I'm takin' a shit in 'em, Kelly, I need reading material
Dictionary
Yo Slim, your last four albums sucked
Go back to Recovery, oh shoot, that was three albums ago
What do you know? Oops, know your facts before you come at me, lil' goof
Luxury, oh, you broke, bitch?
Yeah, I had enough money in '02
To burn it in front of you, ho
Younger me? No, you the whack me
It's funny, but so true
I'd rather be 80 year old me than 20 year old you
'Til I'm hitting old age, still can fill a whole page with a 10 year old's rage
Got more fans than you in your own city, lil' kiddy
Go play, feel like I'm babysitting Lil Tay
Got the Diddy okay so you spent your whole day
Shootin' a video just to fuckin' dig your own grave
Got you at your own wake, I'm the billy goat
You ain't never made a list next to no Biggie, no Jay
Next to Taylor Swift, and that Iggy ho, you about to really blow
Kelly, they'll be putting your name
Next to Ja, next to Benzino, die, motherfucker
Like the last motherfucker sayin' Hailey in vain
Alien brain, you Satanist (yeah)
My biggest flops are your greatest hits
The game's mine again and ain't nothin' changed but the locks
So before I slay this bitch, mwah, give Jade a kiss
Gotta wake up Labor Day to this (the fuck?)
Bein' rich-shamed by some prick usin' my name for clickbait
In a state of bliss 'cause I said his goddamn name
Now I gotta cock back, aim, yeah, bitch, pop champagne to this
It's your moment, this is it
As big as you're gonna get, so enjoy it
Had to give you a career to destroy it
Lethal injection, go to sleep six feet deep
I'll give you a B for the effort, but if I was three
Foot 11, you'd look up to me, and for the record
You would suck a dick to fuckin' be me for a second
Lick a ballsack to get on my channel
Give your life to be as solidified
This mothafuckin' shit is like Rambo when he's out of bullets
So what good is a fuckin' machine gun when it's out of ammo?
Had enough of this tatted-up mumble rapper
How the fuck can him and I battle?
He'll have to fuck Kim in my flannel
I'll give him my sandals
'Cause he knows long as I'm Shady, he's gon' have to live in my shadow
Exhausting, letting off on my offspring
Like a gun barrel, bitch, get off me
You dance around it like a sombrero, we can all see
You're fuckin' salty 'cause young Gerald's balls-deep inside of Halsey
Your red sweater, your black leather
You dress better, I rap better
That a death threat or a love letter?
Little white toothpick
Thinks it's over a pic, I just don't like you, prick
Thanks for dissing me
Now I had an excuse on the mic to write, "Not Alike"
But really, I don't care who's in the right
But you're losin' the fight you picked
Who else want it, Kells?
Attempt fails, Budden, L's
Fuckin' nails in these coffins as soft as Cottonelle
Killshot, I will not fail, I'm with the Doc still
But this idiot's boss pops pills and tells him he's got skills
But Kells, the day you put out a hit's the day Diddy admits
That he put the hit out that got Pac killed, ah
I'm sick of you bein' whack
And still usin' that mothafuckin' Auto-Tune, so let's talk about it (let's talk about it)
I'm sick of your mumble rap mouth
Need to get the cock up out it before we can even talk about it (talk about it)
I'm sick of your blonde hair and earrings
Just 'cause you look in the mirror and think you're Marshall Mathers (Marshall Mathers)
Don't mean you are, and you're not about it
So just leave my dick in your mouth, and keep my daughter out it
@icywavs
To everyone who's studying with this song, here's a little checklist:
• A bottle of water. Your brain works better if it has enough water and drinking helps you to concentrate 💦
• Your charger. You sometimes don't even notice that your device's battery is going down, so better have it plugged in all the time ⚡
• Your headphones. You will be able to focus more
with headphones because it blocks background noises. Also, if it's a late night study session, you won't wake up anyone 🎧
• Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Coffee keeps you awake, green or black tea can make you feel more awake as well ☕
• Your study/work stuff: your laptop/tablet/ phone,
a few pens, paper or whatever you need 📚
Remember to take breaks whenever you need along with moving your body around a bit so you're not always sitting! Have a beautiful day/night ✨
@JonSudano
Kendrick the type of dude to appear in the mirror behind drake when he closes the medicine cabinet
@lotusphoenix8
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Jump Scare 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Cjcoolkid
he him fr
@AiRRiA51ENT
Da Boogeyman
@realhillkell
Sopranos reference
@Mizisualoverr
@@AiRRiA51ENTDA BOOGEYMANNN
@isaacwhyy
bro featured the whole city 😭😭😭
@SussyGabrielOFFICIAL
I EXPOSED KNIGHTOFDARKNESS420 + I’M COOLER THAN KENDRICK LAMAR 🔥🔥🔥
@sirbrowny7638
Ily Isaac baby 😘
@azyro1624
ISAAC?