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.
Growing Apart
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where are you going, we should be growing now
Smoke to it nigga, smoke to it nigga
Where are we going, we should be slowing down
Where are you going, we should be growing now
That's what she said to me
That place I used to call home is just a bed to meWe don't even sleep, neighbors can hear her weep
Meanwhile I'm in these streets with everybody, I'm trying to get it
And she know they got me, I watch her feelings watch me
As they staring with the saddest eyes of loneliness
Look each other in the face and barely blink
Tried to make it right but the pen ran out of ink
So if my letters don't reach you, I hope these lyrics in sync
Where are we going, why are we slowing down
Where are you going, we should be growing now
That's what it said to me but the place I call ambition now dead to me
Gone and forgotten, I'm off track like Dale Earnhardt, my liver rotten
Alcoholic tripping, fucking bad bitches and they got bad intentions
Club night, guys and dolls, balling out but I'm about to drop the ball
I'm calling out for help, my engineer called
Told me come to the studio but I wanna tell him nah
Where are we going, why are we slowing down
Where are you going, we should be growing now
That's what he said to but that place we call Heaven is unfair to me
Only 144 can go, seven billion people on planet Earth today
Is there something that I don't know
I know to follow Him rather than follow people or follow vanity
'Cause that means I'm following evil, guess I'm following evilI should follow cathedral, blessings I need but live like I don't need you
Where are we going, why are we slowing down
Where are you going, we should be growing now
So in conclusion, we all seem to stumble, planning our own demise
Forgetting the big picture and making it wallet size
So to what is important in my life, I apologize
I promise to stay faithful, focused and sanctified
We all get distracted
The question is would you bounce back or bounce backwards?
Would you not know how to act or take action? It's just a part of life
And if your vision's impaired, you probably lose it all tonight
Trying to visualize how to get it right but my vision's so blurry
Trying to slow it down, stay close to the ground but we're always in a hurry
And if I could make this world spin a little slower then I would
Then we could grow a little closer, I think we're getting closer
I think we're getting closer...
The lyrics of Kendrick Lamar’s song Growing Apart explore the themes of growth, ambition, failure, and relationships. The first lines of the song, “Where are we going, why are we slowing down, where are you going, we should be growing now,” allude to a existential crisis of sorts. The singer is questioning why they are not making progress and growing as they should be. This lyric sets the stage for the remainder of the song, which discusses the various ways in which the singer and his partner have failed to grow individually and together.
Throughout the song, the singer highlights different areas of his life where he has failed to grow, such as his ambition, his drinking habits, and his relationship with God. He acknowledges the way that these failures have affected his partner, who is weeping while he is out pursuing his own goals. Despite his best efforts to make things right, he has been unable to, as he laments, “Tried to make it right but the pen ran out of ink.”
Ultimately, the song reflects on the importance of staying focused on what is truly important and not getting distracted by things that do not matter. The singer apologizes for his failures and promises to stay faithful and sanctified, to not follow vanity or evil. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is trying to slow down and stay grounded, in the hopes of growing closer to the people and things that matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are we going, why are we slowing down
Questioning the lack of growth and progress in their situation
Where are you going, we should be growing now
Urging the other person to strive for growth and progress
That's what she said to me
Recalling a conversation with a past acquaintance
That place I used to call home is just a bed to me
Expressing how their former home has lost its meaning and importance
We don't even sleep, neighbors can hear her weep
Describing a tumultuous and emotional relationship
Meanwhile I'm in these streets with everybody, I'm trying to get it
Focusing on their ambition and goals
And she know they got me, I watch her feelings watch me
Realizing how their actions affect others and how their partner feels about it
As they staring with the saddest eyes of loneliness
Observing the sadness in their partner's eyes due to their choices
Look each other in the face and barely blink
Acknowledging the tension and difficulty in their relationship
Tried to make it right but the pen ran out of ink
Trying to fix things but unable to do so effectively
So if my letters don't reach you, I hope these lyrics in sync
Hoping that their message comes across through their music
That's what it said to me but the place I call ambition now dead to me
Reflecting on how their priorities have shifted and their former dreams are no longer meaningful
Gone and forgotten, I'm off track like Dale Earnhardt, my liver rotten
Feeling lost and physically unhealthy
Alcoholic tripping, fucking bad bitches and they got bad intentions
Engaging in destructive behaviors and relationships
Club night, guys and dolls, balling out but I'm about to drop the ball
Partying and having fun but risking losing everything in the process
I'm calling out for help, my engineer called
Receiving an offer for assistance but hesitant to accept
Told me come to the studio but I wanna tell him nah
Considering refusing help and struggling to accept it
That's what he said to but that place we call Heaven is unfair to me
Acknowledging their frustration with religious beliefs and the concept of afterlife
Only 144 can go, seven billion people on planet Earth today
Questioning the fairness and practicality of religious beliefs
Is there something that I don't know
Expressing confusion and uncertainty
I know to follow Him rather than follow people or follow vanity
Choosing to prioritize religious faith over superficial values
'Cause that means I'm following evil, guess I'm following evil
Recognizing the consequences of not prioritizing faith
I should follow cathedral, blessings I need but live like I don't need you
Realizing the importance of faith and God's blessings but struggling to fully embrace it and live accordingly
So in conclusion, we all seem to stumble, planning our own demise
Reflecting on the self-sabotage and struggles faced by everyone
Forgetting the big picture and making it wallet size
Prioritizing materialistic and short-term goals over long-term growth and fulfillment
So to what is important in my life, I apologize
Acknowledging their mistakes and shortcomings
I promise to stay faithful, focused and sanctified
Committing to prioritize faith and self-improvement
We all get distracted
Recognizing the universal struggle of losing focus and getting sidetracked
The question is would you bounce back or bounce backwards?
Considering the resilience and ability to recover from setbacks
Would you not know how to act or take action? It's just a part of life
Questioning how one reacts to challenges and encouraging taking action to overcome them
And if your vision's impaired, you probably lose it all tonight
Suggesting that lack of clarity and focus can have serious consequences
Trying to visualize how to get it right but my vision's so blurry
Struggling to envision a clear path to success
Trying to slow it down, stay close to the ground but we're always in a hurry
Desiring to take things slow and steady but feeling pressure to move quickly
And if I could make this world spin a little slower then I would
Expressing a desire for a more relaxed and peaceful world
Then we could grow a little closer, I think we're getting closer
Believing that slowing down can lead to personal and communal growth
Lyrics © GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC GROUP INC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, DONTE PERKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seacell4ever70
Where are we going? Why are we slowing down?
Where are you going? We should be growing now
Smoke to it nigga, smoke to it nigga
That's what she said to me
That place I used to call home is just a bed to me
And we don't even sleep, neighbors can hear her weep
Meanwhile I'm in these streets with everybody
I'm trying to get it and she know they got me, I watch her feelings watch me
As they staring with the saddest eyes of loneliness
Look each other in the face and barely blink
I tried to make it right but the pen ran out of ink
So if my letters don't reach you, I hope these lyrics in sync
That's what it said to me
But that place I call ambition now dead to me
Gone and forgotten, I'm off track like dale earnhardt
My liver rotten, alcoholic tripping
Fucking bad bitches and they got bad intentions
Club night, guys and dolls
Balling out, but I'm bout to drop the ball
I'm calling out for help, my engineer called
Told me come to the studio, I wanna tell him nah
That's what he said to me
But that place we call heaven unfair to me
Only a hundred and forty-four can go
Seven billion people on planet earth today
Is there something that I don't know?
I know to follow him, rather following people
Or follow vanity cause that means I'm following evil
Guess I'm following evil, I should follow cathedral
Blessings I need, but live like I don't need you
So in conclusion
We all seem to stumble, planning our own demise
Forgetting the big picture and making it wallet size
So to what's important in my life, I apologize
I promise to stay faithful, focused and sanctified
We all get distracted
The question is, would you bounce back or bounce backwards?
Would you not know how to act or take action? It's just a part of life
And if your vision's impaired, you probably lose it all tonight
I'm trying to visualize how to get it right
But my vision's so blurry
Trying to slow it down, stay close to the ground
But we're always in a hurry now
And if I could make this world stand a little slower
Then I would, then we could grow a little closer
I think we're getting closer
I think we're getting closer
@Egyptdean
Cant Wait For World To Hear This Man . . . . -Dreams-
@Adrian-me9dt
George Dean bro that aged like the finest wine
@jaked8170
Adrian fr
@pluetoe
bro you still kickin?
@javiercortes814
Rejoice, your desire has been granted
@1bangdan121
Nah this comment needs an award 🥇
@cjbball04
I aint gonna lie.. no one is touching him lyrically right now.. A real artist... this is what i call real rap...
@lukelipscomb9248
@Harshpreet Malhari still
@drinksoap6827
This comment aged really well
@nkm11tbm
you aint gotta lie