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.
Hol
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stewardess complimentin' me on my nappy hair
If I can f-ck her in front of all of these passengers
They'll prob'ly think I'm a terrorist
Eat my asparagus, then I'm askin' her
Thoughts of a young nigga, fast money and freedom
A crash dummy for diamonds, I know you dyin' to meet 'em
I'll prob'ly die in a minuteJust bury me with twenty bitches, twenty million, and a Comptown fitted
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Yeah, big shit poppin'
Section 80
Back in this bitch in the back of that bitch
Wit' my back against the wall and yo' bitch on the edge of my dick
Jump off
I call a bitch a bitch, a ho a ho, a woman a woman
I never did nothin' but break the ground on top of the asphalt
Tire mark gave you evidence that I'm easily peddlin' with the speed of a lightnin' bolt
As a kid I killed two adults, I'm too advanced
I live my twenties at two years old, the wiser man
Truth be told, I'm like eighty-seven
Wicked as eighty reverends in a pool of fire wit' devils holdin' hands
From the distance, don't know which one is a Christian, damn
Who can I trust in 2012? There's no one
Not even myself, a Gemini screamin' for help, somebody
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Yeah, big shit poppin', everybody watchin'
When you do it like this, nigga, losin' ain't an option
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Yeah, big shit poppin' (Ay, ay, kick her out the studio, Ali)
24/7 nigga, workin' his ass for it, she poppin' that ass for it
The King of Diamonds wit' diamonds I never do ask for
They checkin' my passport, I'm too accustomed with Customs
She call in the task force, I killed it, somebody cuff 'I'm
They want me to fast-forward the game, and why you complain
When you niggas is past poor, you'll never hop in my lane
When you pushin' a RAV4, you wreckin' my Jaguar
You play like a bad sport, her feet on the dashboard
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Yeah, big shit poppin', everybody watchin'
When you do it like this, nigga, losin' ain't an option
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up)
Yeah, big shit poppin', everybody watchin'
When you do it like this, nigga
I wrote this record while thirty thousand feet in the air
Stewardess complimentin' me on my nappy hair
If I can fuck her in front of all of these passengers
They'll prob'ly think I'm Osama
The plane emergency landed, it was an honor hol' up
In his song "Hol' Up," Kendrick Lamar speaks about his fast life, his wealth, and his inner turmoil. He explains at the start of the song that he wrote it while on an airplane, getting some racially charged attention because of his "nappy hair." Yet, the experience makes him think about the possibility of using his wealth to have sex with the stewardess in front of all the passengers, knowing their reaction would be that of alarm and even a suspicion of terrorism. He also says he is aware that his life is dangerous and that he could die any moment. Still, he wants to be buried with lots of women, money, and a Comptown fitted hat.
In the second verse, Lamar seems to get into character and refer to himself as a "wicked" man who cannot be trusted, not even by himself as a Gemini. He speaks about killing two adults when he was a kid and living his twenties at two years old, implying the tough, fast-paced life he lives. The third verse speaks about his work ethic and the expectations of others about him. He talks about his luxury lifestyle and excesses while criticizing those who live humbly and negatively comparing them to his Jaguar car against their RAV4 cars. The chorus repeats throughout the song and serves as a motivating, confidence-building phrase.
Line by Line Meaning
I wrote this record while thirty thousand feet in the air
I wrote this song while on an airplane
Stewardess complimentin' me on my nappy hair
The flight attendant complimented my hair
If I can f-ck her in front of all of these passengers, They'll prob'ly think I'm a terrorist
If I have sex with the flight attendant in front of everyone, they might think I'm a terrorist
Eat my asparagus, then I'm askin' her
After eating asparagus, I'm asking the flight attendant something
Thoughts of a young nigga, fast money and freedom, A crash dummy for diamonds, I know you dyin' to meet 'em
As a young man, I wanted money and freedom and was willing to do whatever it takes to get diamonds
I'll prob'ly die in a minute, Just bury me with twenty bitches, twenty million, and a Comptown fitted
I might die very soon but when I do, I want to be buried with money, women, and a Comptown fitted hat
Back in this bitch in the back of that bitch, Wit' my back against the wall and yo' bitch on the edge of my dick, Jump off
I'm back in this place with a woman, against the wall, about to have sex with her
I call a bitch a bitch, a ho a ho, a woman a woman, I never did nothin' but break the ground on top of the asphalt
I don't use euphemisms, I call women exactly what they are, and I haven't done much in my life
Tire mark gave you evidence that I'm easily peddlin' with the speed of a lightnin' bolt
The tire marks show that I'm driving really fast
As a kid I killed two adults, I'm too advanced
When I was young, I killed two adults and now, I'm too advanced for my age
I live my twenties at two years old, the wiser man
I've matured faster than other people and have lived more in my 20s than anyone else
Truth be told, I'm like eighty-seven, Wicked as eighty reverends in a pool of fire wit' devils holdin' hands
To be honest, I feel like I'm 87 years old and as wicked as 80 religious leaders in a fiery pool with devils holding hands
From the distance, don't know which one is a Christian, damn, Who can I trust in 2012? There's no one, Not even myself, a Gemini screamin' for help, somebody
I'm far away and can't tell who's a Christian or not. I can't trust anyone in this year, not even myself. I'm a Gemini who needs help
24/7 nigga, workin' his ass for it, she poppin' that ass for it
I work hard all day every day while others are just twerking for money
The King of Diamonds wit' diamonds I never do ask for, They checkin' my passport, I'm too accustomed with Customs
I'm the King of Diamonds but I never ask for diamonds. They're checking my passport but I'm used to going through Customs
She call in the task force, I killed it, somebody cuff 'I'm
She calls in the police but I managed to kill it. Someone should cuff me
They want me to fast-forward the game, and why you complain, When you niggas is past poor, you'll never hop in my lane
People want me to go faster in this game, but why complain? You guys are so poor that you'll never be able to do what I do
When you pushin' a RAV4, you wreckin' my Jaguar, You play like a bad sport, her feet on the dashboard
When you're driving a RAV4, you're ruining my Jaguar. You're playing like a bad sport, with your feet on the dashboard
Yeah, big shit poppin', everybody watchin', When you do it like this, nigga, losin' ain't an option
When you do something big like this, everyone is watching and you can't afford to lose
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up), Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up), Yeah, big shit poppin', Section 80
Hold up, hold up, something big is happening - this is Section 80
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up), Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up), Yeah, big shit poppin', everybody watchin'
Wait a minute, this is big - everyone is watching.
Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up), Hol' up (Hol' up) hol' up (Hol' up), Yeah, big shit poppin' (Ay, ay, kick her out the studio, Ali)
Hold on, hold on, something big is happening. Kick her out of the studio, Ali
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, MARK SPEARS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@slanknscribe
Most slept on Kendrick joint...
@lukeschmidt2857
+SlanK (novelist) his flow plays with the beat in a mesmerizing way
@BrantWeckstein
SlanK (novelist) fr tho...this shit is so good
@SILMANTV
SlanK (novelist) I slept on this when Tha carter 4 came out in 11' mistake
@christian6455
TwArDxL Carter 4 was Actually Good Nightmare of the bottom is a Classic but this on some Next Level shit
@SILMANTV
christian6455 it was a good album ppl don't like it tho but Section 80 is better to me
@Fredosauze
"Of a lightning bolt, as a kid I killed two adults, I'm too advanced
I lived my 20's at two years old, the wiser man
Truth be told, I'm like '87
Wicked as 80 reverends in a pool of fire with devils holding hands
From the distance, don't know which one is a Christian... damn"
Like who comes up with this?!
Just amazing
@troytheone2921
Alfredo Louis He the Goat 🐐
@wolfgangxo_
87 LIKES!!
@brashadcarr6759
He could build a jail with all those bars