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.
Heaven & Hell
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas hatin', bitches hatin', babies dyin'
Bullets flyin', helicopters, police sirens, preachers lying
Genocism, criticism, unemployment, racism
Burning buildings, AIDS victims, cancer killin' no cure
Oil spillin', turmoil, poverty stricken, police brutality
Kickin' ass of us Africans, hostages in AfghanistanNot to mention another prison, child molesting
Cow intestines, botox injections, earthquakes that's government tested
Secret society weapon, opium plant manifested
Then turn to crack then invested amongst us Blacks just a message
To hold us back, great depression amongst Iraq, no direction no Google map
Just a Tec for the soo-woop swerving, izuzu then blap blap blap
Adolescents go coocoo, mothers are boohoo crying
The governor keeps us starvin', these commercials keep us buyin'
These cigarettes supermarkets fill up our liver with triumph
Distincted livin' with science, no place to live in, no Zion
See that's forbidden, we fryin'
My nigga, what it look like?
(That's exactly what hell look like)
Tell it like it is nigga, tell it like it is homeboy
Tell it like it is nigga, tell it like it is, tell them what's up!
Tell it like it is nigga, tell it like it is homeboy
Tell it like it is nigga, tell it like it is, tell them what's up!
My nigga, what it look like?
Malcolm laughing, Martin laughing, Biggie spittin'
Pac is rapping, Gregory tappin, people singing, bells is ringing
Children playing, angels praying, 14 karat golden streets, collard greens
Red wine, potato yams, turkey legs, calling every human being
In Heaven & Hell, Kendrick Lamar featuring Alori Joh, the artists paint a bleak picture of the world we live in. The lyrics highlight the various problems affecting society, including poverty, racism, police brutality, and terrorism. Lamar's verses are straightforward and unapologetic, touching on controversial topics such as child molestation and drug addiction. The chorus "My nigga, what it look like?" serves as a call to action, urging listeners to pay attention to the struggling communities around them.
The song's verses strike a balance between cynicism and hope. While they expose the realities of the world's ills, they also suggest that there might be a better way. The final verse paints a picture of paradise, where historical figures like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Tupac Shakur coexist peacefully. The lyrics offer a glimpse of what life could be like if people come together and work towards a common goal. The song's message is clear: we can create heaven on earth, but first, we need to acknowledge the problems that exist.
Line by Line Meaning
My nigga, what it look like?
What is the state of our world?
Niggas hatin', bitches hatin', babies dyin'
There is a lot of hate in the world and it's affecting innocent lives, even children.
Bullets flyin', helicopters, police sirens, preachers lying
Everywhere you turn there is violence, with gunshots, police sirens and the media lying to the public.
Genocism, criticism, unemployment, racism
There are serious social issues such as racism and criticism causing genocide and increasing unemployment rates.
Burning buildings, AIDS victims, cancer killin' no cure
There are natural and man-made disasters such as buildings burning, and devastating diseases like AIDS and lack of cures for cancer.
Oil spillin', turmoil, poverty stricken, police brutality
The world faces crises like oil spills, poverty is not being addressed, and the police are brutalizing the citizens.
Kickin' ass of us Africans, hostages in Afghanistan
Africans are being oppressed and in the Middle East government has kidnapped foreign nationals.
Not to mention another prison, child molesting
There is a high rate of incarceration, and the disturbing crime of child molestation.
Cow intestines, botox injections, earthquakes that's government tested
Disgusting practices like the use of cow intestines in consumer products, and botox injections, and suspicious natural disasters which may be caused by the government.
Secret society weapon, opium plant manifested
There are weapons being used for the wrong reasons and even the opium plant is being used for nefarious purposes.
Then turn to crack then invested amongst us Blacks just a message
Illegal drugs like crack are being used to destroy black communities for a reason.
To hold us back, great depression amongst Iraq, no direction no Google map
The world is grappling with a great depression in Iraq and there doesn't seem to be a plan to fix it.
Just a Tec for the soo-woop swerving, izuzu then blap blap blap
Guns are being used recklessly in gang violence.
Adolescents go coocoo, mothers are boohoo crying
Young people are going crazy and mothers are heartbroken.
The governor keeps us starvin', these commercials keep us buyin'
Politicians are not taking care of the people and ads are encouraging mindless consumption.
These cigarettes supermarkets fill up our liver with triumph
Smoking is actively encouraged and big companies profit from selling harmful products.
Distincted livin' with science, no place to live in, no Zion
People are being forced to live in cramped conditions and true paradise doesn't exist for them.
See that's forbidden, we fryin'
These things go unheard and unnoticed and people are suffering as a result.
Malcolm laughing, Martin laughing, Biggie spittin'
Even though our history has had powerful voices fighting for change, the same problems continue to exist.
Pac is rapping, Gregory tappin, people singing, bells is ringing
In the midst of all this chaos, people are still creating art and expressing themselves.
Children playing, angels praying, 14 karat golden streets, collard greens
Despite everything, there is still some joy and faith in the world, with children playing and people enjoying good food.
Red wine, potato yams, turkey legs, calling every human being
Food brings people together, and we should all be treated equally, regardless of our backgrounds.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, AUTHOR UNKNOWN COMPOSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SaiyanMonkeyScumAndProud
I think he’s well rounded.
He makes…
Spiritual music.
Baby making music.
He makes deep music.
Function and party music.
Music you roll around the city to.
And even music you roll deep to.
Music to reflect with.
And most of all… he makes music you can feel.
He’s just a well rounded artist overall and it’s mostly all rap but damn good
@WesleysWarfare53
Malcon Laughing.
Martin Laughing.
Biggie Spitting.
Pac Is Rapping.
Gregory Cappin.
People signing.
Bells Is Ringing.
Children Playing.
Angels Praying.
14 Carrot Golden Streets
Cali Greens, Red Wine, Potato Yams, Turkey Legs Callis And Everything Keeps Bin Bang.
@Yolocheese
wow...... last time i heard this song i think I was like 15 or 16, man time flies. Much love Kendrick
@olaxajayi
Fr bruh
@jeffreyparker2947
Same
@jeffreyparker2947
1 mil. Views now lol
@reskin96
This song has two meanings depending on how you look at it. The one meaning is that the good side is endless. The other, is that the evil overpowers the good in today's world. Basically this song is a glass half empty or glass half full song. Absolutely amazing.
@oscarthedon8225
Heaven & Hell
@djsturgeon8638
Other meaning is he wasn’t able to finish the verse. Nah I’m playin 😂
@SaiyanMonkeyScumAndProud
What I got from it is that he hardly can imagine what heaven looks like being on earth. He hardly described it.
How are you suppose to imagine what Heaven looks like when you trapped inside of Hell
@sanjayd7
Also he has an idea of what heaven is like but didn’t finish it because he’s not there so he can’t explain it as detailed as he could do with hell
@WhatIsThereTo
Thank you Prof!