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.
Fight The Feeling
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So watch 'em do the Macarena, somewhere out by Pasadena
Love a drug that everybody here just tryna get a taste of
You a waste of the space that you take up
Livin', this time around I'm not kiddin'
I had an intuition about these women and suspicions
Got me lookin' at you different, how I'm a man in my positionCan't stop slippin' down these slopes
'Cause it's all just downhill from there
As a kid I didn't learn that, but now I'm aware
When you were young and you just tryna live your life and have some fun
In a world where you have yet to see how evil it's become
It's hard to have a dream when you deep inside of one
And I know you hate them spirits so I keep em in my lungs
I'm a Beatle to these young kids
But sometimes I be feelin' like a needle to these young kids
You had the world, you about to leave it to these young kids
And we gonna show you what the love is
Stay high, go for what you know
Let it in your mental
And don't ever let it go
It won't stop
You can't fight the feeling
You can't fight the feeling, no
It won't stop
You can't fight the feeling
You can't fight the feeling, no
Uh, and I keep a couple most dope homies by me
So there ain't too many times it's me, myself and Irene
We stay smokin' through the night wake up, do some Tai Chi
Homie can't you see I'm chillin, please don't fuck up my ChiYea my jacket Y three, recently been up on fashion
Waste a bunch of money, kinda stinks of sastisfaction
Fell asleep in Hollywood, woke up in Manhattan
Ballin' like I'm Jordan, but I'm fresh as Mars Blackmon
A penny for your thoughts, a dollar for your dreams
A price on an idea, we never can agree
They tell you what to know, but it's better to believe
So why you tryna act like what you never gonna be?
Still I tell 'em fuck what you know, I'm feelin' comfortable
Just continue livin' life, 'cause enough of 'em don't
You spent your days countin' every single penny made
Restore it now, 'cause we comin' for you anyways
Stay high, go for what you know
Let it in your mental
And don't ever let it go
It ain't never gonna stop 'cause
You can't fight the feeling
You can't fight the feeling, no
It won't stop 'cause
You can't fight the feeling
You can't fight the feeling, no
Sometimes I wake up, up in the mornin', make up
Wipe the smudge of makeup off my bed soon as she's gone and
Take up hours out my day just do find power, shit to say, but
You won't hear it, even if your ears was pierced with Beats by Dre
I mean, the sun is slowly fallin'
We all surely should die eventually, so what's your callin'?
Oh, you left your phone behind, identity
Crisis, break mirrors, vices steer us through wickedness
Jesus Christ is right near us and devil say you owe ten percent
Sold your soul, I know, sold your soul and you're hopeless
My focus, stare at elopin' on boats that float in the open
On oceans that coast the line on the margins I rhyme, chokin'
Or Soakin' up game, I'm hopin'
You picked the second one, change the emotion of jealousy that you're holdin'
You're telling me, that you're golden, but really cubic zirconia, let me see
I'll break you down like a pound of fire whenever
Your tactics are mighty clever
But even if you Mayweather
You can't fight the feeling, feeling
You can't fight the feeling, no
It won't stop
You can't fight the feeling, feeling
Oh, fuck me
Oh, I want you to fuck me
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, don't stop, oh
In "Fight the Feeling," Kendrick Lamar expresses his thoughts on the fleeting nature of happiness, the danger of drug addiction, the objectification of women, and the difficulty of maintaining one's identity amidst the pressures of success. He warns against the temptation of love and drugs, describing them as a temporary escape from the harsh realities of the world. He acknowledges the darker side of society, where women are reduced to mere objects of desire and where evil and corruption often prevail. In the second verse, Kendrick reflects on his own success and the responsibility that comes with it. He talks about how he's seen as an inspiration to young kids, but how that same attention can feel suffocating at times. He emphasizes the importance of retaining a sense of self in a world that often tries to mold and shape you into something you're not.
The song's chorus emphasizes the idea that happiness and contentment cannot be fought against, but rather must be embraced. It urges listeners to lean into their desires and pursue what they want, not to fight against their own instincts. The final verse is a reflection on the struggle to find meaning in life and the dangers of losing touch with oneself. Kendrick muses on the transience of life and the importance of finding one's purpose before it's too late. He addresses the notion of identity and the idea that we all have a duty to use our unique talents and abilities to make the world a better place.
Overall, "Fight the Feeling" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, questioning the nature of happiness and the complex dynamics of society. Kendrick's lyrics are intensely personal yet universally relatable, speaking to the common struggles we all face in our pursuit of meaning and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, close your eyes
Prepare to listen and reflect on the following lyrics.
So watch 'em do the Macarena, somewhere out by Pasadena
People are distracted and only interested in temporary pleasures.
Love a drug that everybody here just tryna get a taste of
People are looking for love in all the wrong places.
You a waste of the space that you take up
People who don't make a positive contribution to the world are wasting valuable resources.
Livin', this time around I'm not kiddin'
I am serious about living my life to the fullest.
I had an intuition about these women and suspicions
I sense that some women may not have honest intentions towards me.
Got me lookin' at you different, how I'm a man in my position
As a successful man, I need to be cautious and aware of others' intentions.
Can't stop slippin' down these slopes
I can't stop myself from making mistakes.
'Cause it's all just downhill from there
Once I start making mistakes, it's hard to reverse the damage.
As a kid I didn't learn that, but now I'm aware
I didn't understand the consequences of my actions as a child, but now I do.
When you were young and you just tryna live your life and have some fun
When you're young, it's easy to be carefree and pursue temporary pleasures.
In a world where you have yet to see how evil it's become
As you get older, you realize how dark and corrupt the world can be.
It's hard to have a dream when you deep inside of one
It's difficult to break away from a false sense of reality or pursue new dreams.
And I know you hate them spirits so I keep em in my lungs
I cope with my inner demons by smoking.
I'm a Beatle to these young kids
I'm seen as an idol by many young people.
But sometimes I be feelin' like a needle to these young kids
Occasionally, I feel like I can be a negative influence on young people.
You had the world, you about to leave it to these young kids
The older generation is leaving the world to the next generation.
And we gonna show you what the love is
We aim to demonstrate love and positivity to future generations.
Stay high, go for what you know
Stay motivated and pursue your goals.
Let it in your mental
Allow your thoughts and emotions to guide you.
And don't ever let it go
Never give up on what you believe in.
It won't stop
Challenges and obstacles will always arise.
You can't fight the feeling
It's difficult to ignore or resist your natural instincts.
It won't stop
Challenges and obstacles will always arise.
You can't fight the feeling
It's difficult to ignore or resist your natural instincts.
Uh, and I keep a couple most dope homies by me
I surround myself with close friends who support me.
So there ain't too many times it's me, myself and Irene
I rarely find myself alone.
We stay smokin' through the night wake up, do some Tai Chi
We relax and do yoga in the morning after staying up all night smoking.
Homie can't you see I'm chillin, please don't fuck up my Chi
I'm trying to relax and enjoy my peace.
Yea my jacket Y three, recently been up on fashion
I'm into fashion and have been buying designer clothing.
Waste a bunch of money, kinda stinks of satisfaction
I feel a sense of fulfillment from spending money on material possessions.
Fell asleep in Hollywood, woke up in Manhattan
I traveled a great distance while sleeping.
Ballin' like I'm Jordan, but I'm fresh as Mars Blackmon
I'm living large like a basketball superstar, but I'm low-key and understated.
A penny for your thoughts, a dollar for your dreams
Give me your opinions and I'll share my aspirations.
A price on an idea, we never can agree
It's hard to put a value on a creative idea that is still developing.
They tell you what to know, but it's better to believe
It's better to have faith and believe in something than to only listen to what others tell you.
So why you tryna act like what you never gonna be?
Why pretend to be something you know you can never truly become?
Still I tell 'em fuck what you know, I'm feelin' comfortable
I'm confident in my own beliefs and not swayed by others' opinions.
Just continue livin' life, 'cause enough of 'em don't
Too many people waste their lives and I'm determined to live mine to the fullest.
You spent your days countin' every single penny made
You've spent your life worried about money.
Restore it now, 'cause we comin' for you anyways
Give your money away now, because we'll take it eventually.
Sometimes I wake up, up in the mornin', make up
Some mornings I wake up and feel like putting on a facade.
Wipe the smudge of makeup off my bed soon as she's gone and
As soon as my female companion leaves, I wipe off any makeup smudges from the bedsheet.
Take up hours out my day just do find power, shit to say, but
I spend a lot of time searching for the inspiration to create something new.
You won't hear it, even if your ears was pierced with Beats by Dre
You won't be able to comprehend or appreciate my art.
I mean, the sun is slowly fallin'
The day is coming to an end.
We all surely should die eventually, so what's your callin'?
We all will eventually die, so what is your purpose in life?
Oh, you left your phone behind, identity
You've forgotten your phone, which is a big part of your identity.
Crisis, break mirrors, vices steer us through wickedness
Difficult situations can lead to negative behaviors and emotional turmoil.
Jesus Christ is right near us and devil say you owe ten percent
God is present in our lives, but the devil is always trying to tempt us.
Sold your soul, I know, sold your soul and you're hopeless
You've given up your moral values and lost all hope.
My focus, stare at elopin' on boats that float in the open
I'm focused on escaping reality and traveling by boat.
On oceans that coast the line on the margins I rhyme, chokin'
I'm writing music while traveling on the coast, feeling overwhelmed and suffocated.
Or Soakin' up game, I'm hopin'
I'm learning valuable lessons and hoping to improve myself.
You picked the second one, change the emotion of jealousy that you're holdin'
You chose to learn and better yourself, instead of holding onto envy and jealousy.
You're telling me, that you're golden, but really cubic zirconia, let me see
You claim to be valuable, but are actually a fake and worthless.
I'll break you down like a pound of fire whenever
I can easily break you apart or destroy you.
Your tactics are mighty clever
Your methods are very cunning.
But even if you Mayweather
Even if you're a skilled fighter like Mayweather...
You can't fight the feeling, feeling
You can't fight your true emotions and instincts.
You can't fight the feeling, no
No matter how much you try, you can't fight your true emotions.
It won't stop
Challenges and obstacles will always arise.
You can't fight the feeling, feeling
You can't fight your true emotions and instincts.
Oh, fuck me
Exclamation of surprise or frustration.
Oh, I want you to fuck me
Expression of sexual desire.
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, don't stop, oh
Further expression of sexual desire or pleasure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Iman Omari, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Malcolm James McCormick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sp11raps71
This is the first YouTube comment I have ever written and will likely be one of the few I ever write. I will try to make this as concise as possible: Mac Miller's first verse is haunting. The last time I listened to this song, I was high on heroin and had not yet realized what an astonishingly dark path I was spiraling down. Also during that time Mac Miller was still alive and brimming with potential. This time listening, I am clean and coherent. Also this time listening, Mac Miller is dead. Gone forever. Just like way too many others. I am one of the way too few lucky ones.
Having said all that, I will repeat my main point: Mac Miller's first verse is haunting. Maybe I am totally wrong and am just trying to cope, but from an addict's view it makes sense; This is my rough interpretation of Mac Miller's first verse:
1. "So watch you do the Macarena, somewhere out by Pasadena"
- Someone is doing something ridiculous (Macarena, c'mon), in a location only vaguely known to them ("Somewhere" out by Pasadena) . Presumably for drugs/heroin.
2. "Love a drug that everybody here just tryna get a taste of"
- This person is full on addicted. Performing questionable actions in unfamiliar locations for the love of the drug, while others are just trying to maybe get some here and there.
3. "You a waster of the space that you take up
Livin', this time around I'm not kiddin'"
- Fed up with the drugs, himself, life, and these feelings have been magnifying. ("This time around I'm not kidding", as if this conversation has been had multiple times.)
4. "I had an intuition about these women and suspicions
Got me lookin' at you different, how I'm a man in my position
Can't stop slippin' down these slopes
'Cause it's all just downhill from there.
As a kid I didn't learn that, but now I'm aware"
- This is, to me, one of the more ambiguous sections to decipher. My interpretation is that as he began a drug induced spiral he was conscious to the whirlwind that his life was becoming. He is questioning how someone can be fully aware of the fact that they have the world in their grasp and can still consciously let it slip away. If that is a stretch then call me Armstrong.
5. "When you were young and you just tryna live your life and have some fun
In a world where you have yet to see how evil it's become"
- It is easy to make mistakes, especially as a naïve kid. So maybe you were just having fun, but the world may "become evil" once that you realize that certain types of fun have much more serious/lasting consequences than you first initially realized.
6." It's hard to have a dream when you deep inside of one"
This one hits home. My most simple interpretation is that being on heroin is likely to kill your dreams/hopes. There is no motivation for anything when all you want/are comfortable with is being high as fuck.
7. "And I know you hate them spirits so I keep em in my lungs"
- The only thing this line brings to mind is that someone in his life hates the drugs he does. He tries to keep his habit to himself??
8. "I'm a Beatle to these young kids
But sometimes I be feelin' like a needle to these young kids"
- This is the most obvious line in my opinion. He's saying the kids love him, but he questions if that is a good thing. It seems as if he sees himself as a negative influence. My totally personal opinion is that he fears that his personal drug use may be emulated by fans.
9. "You had the world, you about to leave it to these young kids
And we gonna show you what the love is"
-Mac, you had the world in your hands but you will be forever loved and missed man. Shit...
@nonolithic
10 years!! 🤯 remember hearing this and zoning out. Rip Mac🕊
Also thank you all for watching over the years wouldn’t have imagined this would have reach so many people. 💛
@4_eternity_
Fireeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeèeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@coltenmorris3475
Still coming back here at least once a week
@maxsmith7483
❤️
@4_eternity_
❤
@foxxy7159
still an amazing song and video, RIP Mac <33 :)
@beasley8701
“When you were young and you just tryna live your life and have some fun.. in a world where you are yet to see how evil it’s become” RIP Mac
@blackwolfdavinci575
I read that the same time he rapped it, crazy
@samirlal4381
Deadass same bro
@Nothoughtpolice-xv7kv
That part hits me in the heart always.