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.
Drake and Lamar's relationship started in 2011 with the collaboration "Buried Alive Interlude" on Drake's album Take Care, followed by "Poetic Justice" on Lamar's album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City in 2012. Lamar also accompanied Drake as an opening act on his 2012 Club Paradise Tour. In 2013, Lamar dissed Drake and several other rappers on the song "Control" by Big Sean, later clarifying that his verse was intended to be seen as "friendly competition". In the ensuing years, Drake and Lamar publicly dismissed speculations of a conflict between them. However, media outlets identified numerous potential disses by both parties in the years leading up to the escalation in 2024.
On March 22, 2024, Lamar dissed J. Cole and Drake on "Like That" as a response to Drake and J. Cole's 2023 song "First Person Shooter", where Cole claims that he, Drake, and Lamar are the "big three" in modern rap music. On April 5, Cole responded to Lamar on the diss track "7 Minute Drill", but in the week following its release, Cole apologized for the song and removed it from streaming services. Drake then released the songs "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle" in April. "Taylor Made Freestyle" was later deleted from social media over copyright concerns from Tupac Shakur's estate.
In response, Lamar released "Euphoria" on April 30 and "6:16 in LA" on May 3. Drake responded with "Family Matters" later on the 3rd, accusing Lamar of being a domestic abuser and alleging that one of Lamar's children was fathered by Dave Free. Less than an hour later, Lamar released "Meet the Grahams", accusing Drake of sex trafficking, being a sexual predator, and fathering a second secret child (in a 2018 diss track by Pusha T, it was revealed that Drake was secretly fathering his son Adonis). Lamar then released "Not Like Us" the following day, more explicitly accusing Drake of pedophilia and disrespecting the rap scene. On May 5, Drake responded with "The Heart Part 6", denying Lamar's accusations and claiming that his team gave Lamar false information about the secret child.
Several publications have described Lamar as winning the feud in popular consensus, citing music critics and social media users. Some commentators have praised the rivalry's spectacle and the significance it gave to modern hip-hop, while others have criticized both artists for the way they made and responded to each other's accusations Lamar has been supported by Metro Boomin, Future, Pusha T, Kanye West, The Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross, and Jay Rock, among others.[note 4] The music video for not like us was met with widespread critical acclaim. Numerous publications and websites called it another victory lap for Lamar in his feud with Drake.[a] CBC News called it a moment of re-ignition of the feud,[84] while Vibe opined it as Lamar's "knockout punch" against the rapper.[85] The video's content also discredited many allegations and claims that Drake had dissed Lamar with, including refuting Drake's derogatory claims against his family with their appearance in the video dancing happily alongside him,[57][58] as well as the video credits reading "Directed by Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar", which dispelled rumors that Lamar and his creative partner had been in conflict with each other.[57][86]
God
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laughing to the bank like aha, yeah
Flex on swole like aha, yeah
You feel some type of way then, aha, yeah
Ever since a young man
All I want to be was a gunman
Shooting up the charts, better run man
Slick as El DeBarge with the finger waves, work it, JT
Handle bars like a fade, watch me work it, JT
I'm at large, running plays like a circuit, JT
I'm selling verses, Jay Z, watch me work it, JT
Look, look, hold up
Don't judge me, my mama caught me with a strap
Don't judge me, I was young, fucking all the rats
Don't judge me, aiming at your head for a stack
Don't judge me, don't judge me
Now my home got a Valley peak
Don't judge me, if I press your line, you a freak
Don't judge me, won't you tell a friend y'all gon' see
This what God feel like, yeah
Laughing to the bank like aha, yeah
Flex on swole like aha, yeah
You feel some type of way then, aha, yeah
Fuck is you talking to?
Aye, do you know who you talking to?
Slide on you like fallen drapes
God toss full of carnivals
I kill 'em with kindness
Or I kill 'em with diamonds
Or I put up like fifteen hundred
Get your ass killed by the finest
Everything life is a gamble
Nothing in life I can't handle
Seen it all, done it all, felt pain more
For the cars, I done put blood on sword
Everything I do is to embrace y'all
Everything I write is a damn eight ball
Everything I touch is a damn gold mine
Everything I say is from an angel
I don't rush shit, fuck shit, always your shit, my shit
Cannonballs to ignite shit
Morning to the night shift, I'm on
I ain't sorry for it, ask for a piece of mine
You charged me for it
I wanna see sometimes if you ignore it
I'm in the streets sometimes and can't afford it
I got a bad habit, levitate, ducking haters
Oh my, my heart is rich, my heart is famous
This what God feel like, yeah (this what God feel like)
Laughing to the bank like aha (this what God feel like)
Yeah (this what God feel like)
Flex on swole like aha (this what God feel like)
Yeah (this what God feel like)
You feel some type of way then, aha
(This what God feel like)
This what God feel like
Yeah (This what God feel like)
In the lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's song “GOD”, he explores the idea of feeling like a god due to his success and power as a rapper. The opening lines of the song “This what God feel like, yeah / Laughing to the bank like aha” immediately sets the tone of confidence and opulence. He boasts about how he is flexing and feels untouchable. The verse “Everything I do is to embrace y'all / Everything I write is a damn eight ball / Everything I touch is a damn gold mine / Everything I say is from an angel” shows that he understands the influence he has and his ability to impact the rap game. He wants to be seen as someone who is doing good with his power, but also doesn’t shy away from the fact that he is making a lot of money and is enjoying it.
In the second verse, he addresses the idea of not being judged for his past mistakes. He confesses to having a gun and sleeping around with women, but wants people to accept him for who he is now. The line “Everything life is a gamble / Nothing in life I can't handle / Seen it all, done it all, felt pain more” shows that he has faced adversity and come out stronger. He is confident in his abilities and doesn’t feel the need to apologize for his past. The chorus of the song repeats the line “This is what God feels like” and shows that he is living his life as though he is invincible and in control.
Overall, the song is a reflection of Kendrick’s rise to fame and how it has affected him. He feels like a god and doesn’t apologize for his success or past mistakes. He recognizes that he has the power to impact people’s lives and wants to make sure that he leaves a positive impact.
Line by Line Meaning
This what God feel like, yeah
Kendrick is experiencing a feeling of godliness and power.
Laughing to the bank like aha, yeah
Kendrick is making a lot of money and enjoying it to the fullest.
Flex on swole like aha, yeah
Kendrick is confidently showing off his muscles and strength.
You feel some type of way then, aha, yeah
Kendrick is telling haters to try and deny his success.
Ever since a young man
Kendrick has always had dreams of being successful.
All I want to be was a gunman
Kendrick wanted to be a powerful figure, like a gangster or a movie hero.
Shooting up the charts, better run man
Kendrick is dominating the music industry and is unstoppable.
Ya'll gotta see that I won, man
Kendrick is proud of his success and wants others to acknowledge it.
Slick as El DeBarge with the finger waves, work it, JT
Kendrick is effortlessly cool and stylish, like the R&B singer El DeBarge.
Handle bars like a fade, watch me work it, JT
Kendrick has great control over his music, like a barber with his clippers.
I'm at large, running plays like a circuit, JT
Kendrick is in charge and making big moves, like a football quarterback.
I'm selling verses, Jay Z, watch me work it, JT
Kendrick is a great rapper and making lots of money, like the legendary Jay Z.
Don't judge me, my mama caught me with a strap
Kendrick is asking people not to judge him for his past mistakes.
Don't judge me, I was young, fucking all the rats
Kendrick is admitting to past promiscuity and recklessness.
Don't judge me, aiming at your head for a stack
Kendrick has done some dangerous things to get money.
Don't judge me, don't judge me
Kendrick is emphasizing his plea for non-judgment.
Now my home got a Valley peak
Kendrick has achieved great success and moved to a luxurious home in the hills.
Don't judge me, if I press your line, you a freak
Kendrick likes to have fun and might tease people for their behavior.
Don't judge me, won't you tell a friend y'all gon' see
Kendrick is confident in his abilities and wants others to spread the word.
Fuck is you talking to?
Kendrick is annoyed with someone talking to him.
Aye, do you know who you talking to?
Kendrick is intimidating the person who was talking to him.
Slide on you like fallen drapes
Kendrick could easily beat someone up, like a window shade falling off its hinges.
God toss full of carnivals
Kendrick feels like a powerful deity, with lots of fun and excitement at his disposal.
I kill 'em with kindness
Kendrick is peaceful and kind towards others, even those who try to hurt him.
Or I kill 'em with diamonds
Kendrick can also intimidate others with his wealth and success.
Or I put up like fifteen hundred
Kendrick is willing to spend a lot of money to make a point or get what he wants.
Get your ass killed by the finest
Kendrick is the best at what he does and could defeat anyone who challenges him.
Everything life is a gamble
Kendrick believes that life is unpredictable and full of risks.
Nothing in life I can't handle
Kendrick is confident in his abilities to face any challenge.
Seen it all, done it all, felt pain more
Kendrick has experienced a lot of things in life, including hardship and suffering.
For the cars, I done put blood on sword
Kendrick has worked hard and made sacrifices to achieve his luxurious lifestyle.
Everything I do is to embrace y'all
Kendrick wants to include and uplift others with his music and success.
Everything I write is a damn eight ball
Kendrick's music is like a magic eight ball, with mysterious and unpredictable meaning.
Everything I touch is a damn gold mine
Kendrick's success extends beyond music and into business opportunities.
Everything I say is from an angel
Kendrick speaks truth and wisdom, like an angelic figure.
I don't rush shit, fuck shit, always your shit, my shit
Kendrick is in control and moves at his own pace, not caring about others' opinions.
Cannonballs to ignite shit
Kendrick's actions can set off a chain reaction, like a cannonball explosion.
Morning to the night shift, I'm on
Kendrick is working tirelessly, all day and night.
I ain't sorry for it, ask for a piece of mine
Kendrick is unapologetic for his success and will protect it at all costs.
You charged me for it
Kendrick feels like he's being unfairly judged or taken advantage of.
I wanna see sometimes if you ignore it
Kendrick wants to test the boundaries and see how others react to his behavior.
I'm in the streets sometimes and can't afford it
Kendrick still has ties to his past struggles and may have trouble adjusting to his newfound wealth.
I got a bad habit, levitate, ducking haters
Kendrick can easily rise above negativity and criticism, like levitation.
Oh my, my heart is rich, my heart is famous
Kendrick's heart is full of wealth and fame, not just his bank account.
This what God feel like, yeah (this what God feel like)
Kendrick is experiencing godly power and confidence.
Laughing to the bank like aha (this what God feel like)
Kendrick is celebrating his success and wealth.
Flex on swole like aha (this what God feel like)
Kendrick is showing off his physical and mental strength.
You feel some type of way then, aha
Kendrick is challenging anyone who doubts or hates on him.
This what God feel like
Kendrick is still feeling godly power and confidence, repeating it to emphasize its importance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY TIFFITH, DACOURY NATCHE, DANIEL TANNENBAUM, KENDRICK LAMAR, MARK SPEARS, RICCI RIERA, RONALD N. LA TOUR, TEDDY WALTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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on King Kunta
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Geneva Andes
on King Kunta
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