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.
F*ck Your Ethnicity
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm glad everybody came out tonight
As we stand on our neighborhood corner
Know that this fire that's burning represents the passion you have
Listen
Keisha, Tammy, come up front
I recognize all of you
Every creed and color
With that being said
FUCK your ethnicity
You understand that?
We gon' talk about a lot of shit that concerns you
All of you
(Now everybody throw your hands up high
If you don't give a fuck
Throw your hands up high [x2])
Now I don't give up a fuck if you
Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Goddammit
Yellow P, Sugar P, Fuck your ethnicity, nigga
Fire burning inside my eyes
This the music that saved my life
Y'all be calling it hip-hop
I be calling it hypnotize
Yeah, hypnotize
Trapped my body but freed my mind
What the fuck is you fighting for?
Ain't nobody gonna win that war
My details be retail
Man, I got so much in store
Racism is still alive
Yellow tape and colored lines
Fuck that, nigga look at that line
It's sold out first day
Getting off work
And they wanna see Kendrick
Everybody can't drive Benz's, and I been there
So it make it my business
Stay giving my full attention, 10-hut!
Man, I gotta get my wind up
Man, gotta get down with God
Cause I got my sins up
Matter of fact, don't mistake me
For no fucking rapper
They sit backstage and hide
Behind the fucking cameras
I mosh pit
Had a microphone and I tossed it
Had a brain, then I lost it
I'm out of my mind, so don't
You mind how much the cost is
Penny for my thoughts
Everybody, please hold up your wallets
Yeah man, I'm the mailman
Can't you tell, man?
Going postal, never freeze up
When I approach you
That's star struck and roast you, oh my..
HiiiPower
Now I don't give up a fuck if you
Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Goddammit
Yellow P, Sugar P, Fuck your ethnicity, nigga
I'm tired of y'all
Cause everybody lied to y'all
Do you believe it?
Recognize them false achievements
It's treason and I'm Tylenol
I knock out when you knock it off
Knock on the doors of opportunity
I'm too involved, I'm no activist
I'm no Einstein before calculus
I was kicking in Math
Dropping that science
Like an alchemist, and I be
Kicking that ass
Lyrically, I'm UFC, if a UFO
Had came for me
I'mma come back with the head of an alien
Don't alienate, my dreams
Get it right, get a life
I got 2
That's a metaphor for the
Big shit I do, boy
TMI, TSA, man I'm fly
Put wings on my back
That a plane or angel? Both
Like a pilot with a halo – whoa
Gross
I don't mean, nothing
So many things come through
Them, Him, Her, You
Hmm, Hmm, Hmm, Hmm
I'm just a messenger
Yeah I know life's a bitch
Get the best of her
Put them 3′s up
They notice that we up
HiiiPower and the power and the people
And if they don't believe us
They'll die
Now I don't give up a fuck if you
Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Goddammit
Yellow P, Sugar P, Fuck your ethnicity, nigga
In Kendrick Lamar's song "F*ck Your Ethnicity" he wants everyone listening to know that he doesn't care about their race or ethnicity because he's going to talk about issues that concern everyone. He recognizes the different people in the audience and encourages them to throw their hands up high if they don't care about their ethnicity. He talks about how hip-hop music is like hypnotism to him and that it has saved his life. He speaks about racism, and how although it may seem like it's not on the surface, it's ingrained in our society with colored lines and yellow tape. He doesn't want to be mistaken for a typical rapper who hides behind the camera or backstage, instead he is on the front lines speaking his mind. He talks about his success and how he can't believe that he sells out shows, yet he still remembers where he came from and understands that not everyone can afford to drive a Benz. The song ends with Kendrick stating that he doesn't care about their ethnicity and wants people to recognize that their false achievements are holding them back.
Overall, this song is about rejecting the idea of ethnic superiority and calling for unity among all people regardless of race, color, or creed. Kendrick's message is that society is still grappling with racism and it's time for everyone to start speaking openly and honestly about it. He wants to inspire people to take action, whether that's through music or activism, to make a difference and build a better future for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather 'round
Come together in a unified group
I'm glad everybody came out tonight
Happy that everyone showed up
As we stand on our neighborhood corner
Acknowledging the location
Know that this fire that's burning represents the passion you have
Fire symbolizes the audience's passion
Listen
Pay attention
Keisha, Tammy, come up front
Addressing two individuals
I recognize all of you
Recognizing everyone present
Every creed and color
Including all races and ethnicities
With that being said
Coming to a point
FUCK your ethnicity
Disregard ethnicity
You understand that?
Ensuring the audience comprehends
We gon' talk about a lot of shit that concerns you
Addressing topics relevant to the audience
All of you
Reiterating inclusivity
(Now everybody throw your hands up high
Encouraging audience participation
If you don't give a fuck
If you don't care
Throw your hands up high [x2])
Reiterating previous instruction
Now I don't give up a fuck if you
I don't care what race you are
Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Goddammit
Listing different races
Yellow P, Sugar P, Fuck your ethnicity, nigga
Disregarding racial slurs
Fire burning inside my eyes
Intense emotions
This the music that saved my life
Music helped the artist through difficult times
Y'all be calling it hip-hop
Referring to the genre of music
I be calling it hypnotize
Artist's personal interpretation of hip-hop
Yeah, hypnotize
Reiterating previous statement
Trapped my body but freed my mind
Music helped escape physical limitations
What the fuck is you fighting for?
Asking about someone's purpose
Ain't nobody gonna win that war
Implying the futility of the fight
My details be retail
Referring to personal experiences
Man, I got so much in store
Literally and figuratively, artist has a lot to offer
Racism is still alive
Acknowledging systemic racism
Yellow tape and colored lines
Symbols of segregation and discrimination
Fuck that, nigga look at that line
Disregarding racial divides
It's sold out first day
The artist's work is popular
Getting off work
Average people enjoy the artist's work
And they wanna see Kendrick
Referring to the artist
Everybody can't drive Benz's, and I been there
Acknowledging economic struggle
So it make it my business
Artist wants to help community
Stay giving my full attention, 10-hut!
Respectful to the audience
Man, I gotta get my wind up
Preparing for the future
Man, gotta get down with God
Focusing on spiritual matters
Cause I got my sins up
Acknowledging personal flaws
Matter of fact, don't mistake me
Setting clear expectations
For no fucking rapper
Not like other artists
They sit backstage and hide
Artists who don't engage with their audience
Behind the fucking cameras
Implying possible inauthenticity
I mosh pit
Artist engages with his fans
Had a microphone and I tossed it
Artist threw himself into his performances
Had a brain, then I lost it
Acknowledging artistic passions
I'm out of my mind, so don't
Artist takes creative risks
You mind how much the cost is
Implying the value of creativity
Penny for my thoughts
Wondering how much his thoughts are worth
Everybody, please hold up your wallets
Joking reference to the previous line
Yeah man, I'm the mailman
Being the messenger through music
Can't you tell, man?
Reiterating previous statement
Going postal, never freeze up
Pushing forward with music despite criticism
When I approach you
Artist's attitude towards others
That's star struck and roast you, oh my..
Artist has power over his fans
HiiiPower
The message behind the music
I'm tired of y'all
Acknowledging audience's faults
Cause everybody lied to y'all
Feeling deceived by others
Do you believe it?
Questioning the audience's beliefs
Recognize them false achievements
Pointing out flaws in society
It's treason and I'm Tylenol
Medicating the flaws in society
I knock out when you knock it off
Artist's resilience against criticism
Knock on the doors of opportunity
Attempting to succeed in society
I'm too involved, I'm no activist
Acknowledging a lack of political power
I'm no Einstein before calculus
Acknowledging a lack of intelligence
I was kicking in Math
Good at a subject
Dropping that science
Providing knowledge
Like an alchemist, and I be
Using metaphors
Kicking that ass
Being dominant in his field
Lyrically, I'm UFC, if a UFO
Being the best in his field
Had came for me
Considering possible scenarios
I'mma come back with the head of an alien
Being powerful and defeating others
Don't alienate, my dreams
Keeping his dreams
Get it right, get a life
Correct your behavior
I got 2
Implying his possessions and roles
That's a metaphor for the
Using a metaphor
Big shit I do, boy
Implying his impact
TMI, TSA, man I'm fly
Using acronyms to express confidence
Put wings on my back
Allowing success to take flight
That a plane or angel? Both
Being symbolic and using word-play
Like a pilot with a halo – whoa
Combining symbols
Gross
Expressing disgust
I don't mean, nothing
Not saying anything in particular
So many things come through
Dealing with different things daily
Them, Him, Her, You
Referring to different people or things
Hmm, Hmm, Hmm, Hmm
Expressing uncertainty
I'm just a messenger
Acknowledging his role
Yeah I know life's a bitch
Expressing hardship
Get the best of her
Being overtaken by adversity
Put them 3′s up
Making a hand gesture
They notice that we up
Being recognized for success
HiiiPower and the power and the people
Message of unity and power
And if they don't believe us
Acknowledging differing opinions
They'll die
Implying the power of their message
Now I don't give up a fuck if you
Finalizing his message of inclusivity
Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Goddammit
Reiterating different races
Yellow P, Sugar P, Fuck your ethnicity, nigga
Disregarding walls of classification
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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