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.
Hood Gone Love It
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
I got the whole block bumpin
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
Tell em its a celebration bitches
With the barbeque pits and the mini-bikes
Mini-skirts, Hennessys, and the Miller Lights
Domino tables, who got big 6?
Where I'm from we do concrete backflips
Flip flop flip flop flip flop back
To the ghetto's where I bring hip hop back
Real niggas love me, they tell me keep it pushin'
The only niggas be for waste out of central bullets
County jails and the lock downs up north
Said I should have it if Scarface pass the torch
Thats how they feel Jack, built much more than rap
This that project haircut in the cul de sac
This is where ho's ain't front you them boulders at
Meet your quota whenever I put a quote on a track
Keeping it G ain't nuttin, you ain't gotta like it cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
I got the whole block bumpin
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
From Compton to Baltimore I'mma kill it
I buy a morgue in a minute
The public house, the plastic couch of a section 8 tenant
The Regal window is tinted
The air conditioner broke but I'm cool enough to ensure you my ride is an Eskimo, huh?
And I peel off in the midst of getting my clothes off
And I thrive off energies from the inner cities that we lost, huh?
I'm putting the ghetto on top of my back
And I live in the back of the jungle
Lions, tigers, bears, oh my
Hear the siren, walk up, [*gunshot* *gunshot*] drive by
Shooters, looters, federal fed intruders
The engines on back of scooters
The real can recognize real and we need to know just who you are
You are in the presence of many presents
Kendrick the gift for the future oh yeah I said it
Thug life, good kid mad city mad respect representin' the hood right
Keeping it G ain't nuttin, you ain't gotta like it cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
I got the whole block bumpin
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
The home girls tells me I'm the shit
I break them off so they can buy some outfits
I buy them sons a pack of peppers, some new joints
Give em the game, school em on whats really important
It's how I was raised, the og's had me
13 fresh off the porch, slangin' cabby
But I'm wiser now, show all my young niggas
There's other ways you get them dollars and funds niggas
Coming down in an old school, co cool
Whip like a 5 bar call it so cool
You don't know the tribulations that we go through
Put your ears to the speakers I'mma show you
I paint the picture so perfect
In my cd you see Mona Lisa in person
Courtesy of a hunnit beat
Got my crips and esse's at arm reach, 1 1
Keeping it G ain't nuttin, you ain't gotta like it cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
I got the whole block bumpin
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
In "Hood Gone Love It," Kendrick Lamar continues to represent his Los Angeles neighborhood with celebration and pride. Keeping it "G" or "gangster" is the theme of this song, but the twist is that the "hood" will love it even if you don't. The refrain states, "You ain't gotta like it 'cause the hood gone love it." This means that living and being true to oneself and to the place you come from are the most important things. Regardless of outside perception, the in-group (the community of the neighborhood or "hood") will respect and support authenticity.
The first verse promotes living one's best life out in public and not caring what other people think. A young person may show off and be proud of themselves and their talents. The second verse describes a typical neighborhood gathering with barbeque, Hennessy, and domino games, but it also mentions federal intruders and other dangers of the inner city. The chorus takes on an anthemic quality, encouraging individuals to embrace themselves and be proud of where they come from.
Overall, "Hood Gone Love It" is an ode to celebrating one's identity and roots, even if it is not always accepted by the mainstream. It promotes the idea of living one's best life while being true to oneself and standing up for one's community.
Line by Line Meaning
Keeping it G ain't nuttin, you ain't gotta like it cause the hood gone love it
I am not changing true to my roots, you may dislike it but the community will embrace it.
Watch a young nigga show his ass out in public
A young man is displaying his abilities and talents openly.
I got the whole block bumpin
I have the entire neighborhood engaged in my music.
Na na na na now now you know what this is
I am signaling that this is a joyous celebration.
You are in the presence of many presents
I have many valuable qualities to offer.
Courtesy of a hunnit beat
The credit for my success belongs to the countless beats I have utilized.
But I'm wiser now, show all my young niggas
I have learned through maturity and now mentor my younger peers.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIK ORTIZ, KEVIN CROWE, KENDRICK LAMAR, JOHN MC KENZIE, ISAAC HAYES, ANITA POINTER, BONNIE POINTER, JUNE POINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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