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.

Faith
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

I take a sip of Hennessy and then get pissy drunk
I ain't a drinker, I'm a thinker, call it what you want
But if you turn your back, know that you just missed your chance
To witness the realest shit that's ever been told to man
I found myself losing focus at a Sunday service
Embarrassed so I start questioning God, "What is my purpose?"
He said to live the way he did, that's all he want from me
Spread the word and witness, he rose on the first Sunday

I said alright, enthused that my Lord gave a listen
I opened my Bible in search to be a better Christian
And this from a person that never believed in religion
But shit, my life is so fucked up, man, I can't help but give in
I'm giving testimonies to strangers I never met
Hopped on the pulpit and told them how I was truly blessed
Felt like I'm free from all my sins when the service was over
Walked out the church, then got a call that my homie was murdered
Then lost my faith again

What am I gonna do
Gotta have faith
Life is too much
I'm just through
Where is your faith?
(Don't you give up, don't you give in)
Faith
All you need is the size of a mustard seed

Single black parent from Compton raising children of four
That's four innocent bastards 'cause Papa, they don't know
Her day consists of working back and forth with babysitters
Can't find no one to watch her kids, so she pay her sister
Her baby daddy ain't 'bout shit, that nigga ain't 'bout shit
Spilt his daughter milk just to cop a new outfit
She pray to God every night hoping that he'll mature
And maybe one day his kids, something that he'll live for
Baby wanna go back to school but she need some help
Because it's hard trying to pay the bills when you're by yourself
She thought about credit card scams, 'til she heard a voice
That said, "The Devil is a lie, make a better choice."
And so it's back to McDonald's and every month dealing
With those crazy ass people at the county building
Looked to the heavens and asked Him to make a better way
Then got a letter in the mail, lost her Section 8
Then lost her faith again

What am I gonna do
Gotta have faith
Life is too much
I'm just through
Where is your faith?
(Don't you give up, don't you give in)
Faith
All you need is the size of a mustard seed

I had dreams of holding a .9 milla' to Ray's killa'
Ask him why as my eyes fill up
Each day it gets more realer, orangutans bang like gorillas
It's jungle when the niggas in zoo
The rats lurking, vultures circling the serpents
Cats lying through they teeth, my nigga didn't deserve it
I flirted with the ideal of caressing the steel
To make karma come faster than she normally will
It's ill, to see my faith try and leave me
It's so hard to get it, to get rid of it is easy
I'm tryna reach Cloud 9, that's what my niggas 'bout
But it never rain in California unless the pistols out
Until then, my feet planted on the ground
Shadowboxing my conscience till my faith start responding
And if I get no answer, just know I tried
I should have never looked into his son's eyes
Rayshawn Boyce

What am I gonna do
Gotta have faith
Life is too much
I'm just through
Where is your faith?
(Don't you give up, don't you give in)
Faith
All you need is the size of a mustard seed

This for my people that stressing whenever times is hard
Your mind's slipping, wondering, "Is there really a God?"
Knowing you shouldn't think that way and trying to freeze your brain
But whenever there's pain, that feeling forever remains
We can't believe what we can't see and reality seems stronger than prayer
'Cause you tried to change your life, and now you live in a wheelchair
And your son was born with cancer and he live in urgent care
At the tender age of twelve, and you feel that no one cares
Searching for answers, that's human nature, you ain't in the wrong
Just know when you feeling that way His Spirit's in the room
I watched people I know pray and catch the Holy Ghost
And wonder why I ain't ever caught that feeling before
Maybe they know Him better, or I don't know no better
But what I do know, is that He's real and He lives forever
So the next time you feel like your world's about to end
I hope you studied because He's testing your faith again

I'd rather not live like there isn't a God

Than die and find out there really is
Think about it

Overall Meaning

The song Faith, by Kendrick Lamar featuring B.J. The Chicago Kid & Punch, is a deeply introspective and personal account of the rappers' struggles with faith and belief. It offers a poignant commentary on the difficulties of maintaining faith in the face of life's trials and tribulations, and the ways in which faith can be tested and ultimately strengthened.

The first verse sees Kendrick Lamar recounting his struggles with faith and religion, admitting that at times he has lost his faith and questioned God's purpose for him. He describes how he found himself "losing focus at a Sunday service," before starting to question his faith and role as a Christian. Yet, he goes on to explain how he was able to find renewed faith and purpose through spreading the word of God and giving testimonies to strangers.

The second verse focuses on the challenges faced by a single mother from Compton, who struggles to provide for her four children, while also dealing with an absent and unsupportive partner. Lamar highlights the struggles of everyday life, which can often test one's faith, and the difficulties of finding hope and support amidst the hardships of the world.

Overall, Faith is a powerful and deeply personal exploration of the struggles of faith, and the ways in which faith can be tested and ultimately strengthened. Kendrick Lamar offers a moving and honest account of his own struggles with faith, and the struggles of those around him, which serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining hope and faith in the face of adversity.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRANDON ANTHONY BLUE, KENDRICK LAMAR, KENDRICK DUCKWORTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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