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.
How Many Drinks
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hesitation (to get in them pants)
Come closer baby (so I can touch)
One question, am I moving too fast?
Cause' I ain't leaving alone feel like I could be honest babe
We both know that we're grown
That's why I wanna know
How many drinks would it take you to leave with me?
Yeah you look good, and I got money
But I don't wanna waste my time
Back of my mind, I'm hoping you say two or three
You look good, we came to party
But I don't wanna waste my time
Temptation (is calling your name)
Sweet persuasion, oh (baby this is a game)
Come closer baby (if you like what you hear)
Impassioned (is what I'm making you feel)
Cause' I ain't leaving alone, I feel like I could be honest babe
We both know that we're grown
That's why I wanna know
How many drinks would it take you to leave with me?
Yeah you look good, and I got money
But I don't wanna waste my time
Back of my mind, I'm hoping you say two or three
You look good we came to party
But I don't wanna waste my time
Aha, and what do we have
Your empty heart and my empty bottle and yellow cab
That you are likely to catch but your latest ex made you mad
So I figured the perfect catch would be you if I made the pass
Pool full of liquor then we dive in it
Knowing if I lick her I might die in it
Then reincarnate as a fly gymnast
Just to flip my tongue on you
This the Olympics
State your name, live in the moment
It's your time to own it, I see it in you baby
She tell me that she never get a first let away
And life is a bitch, but every dog has its day
Holla pull up, pull up, bring it back, come rewind
Pull up them bittracks, that pack come behind
Pool full of liquor then we die in it
Pull 'em to the side, let me slide up in it
Or waste your time, or waste your time
Or waste our time, baby it's alright
Baby it's alright, baby it's alright yeah
Oh it's alright now
Alright oh yeah
I don't wanna waste my time, no
I don't wanna waste no time, oh no
I don't wanna waste your time, babe
I don't wanna waste our time, oh my time, oh whoa, now
How many drinks would it take you to leave with me? (oh yeah)
Yeah you look good, and I got money
But I don't wanna waste my time (come with me baby)
Back of my mind, I'm hoping you say two or three
You look good, we came to party
But I don't wanna waste my time, waste my time
No no no, I ain't judgin' if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
What? More power to you if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
I ain't judgin' if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
What? More power to you if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
The opening verses of the song How Many Drinks? by Kendrick Lamar express his dilemma about how to approach a woman at a party. In the first verse, he hesitates to make a move and wonders if he’s moving too fast. The chorus talks about Lamar posing a direct question to the woman asking how many drinks it would take for her to leave with him from the party. This is a classic line used at the party as a means of testing the waters to know if the girl was interested in him.
In the second verse, Lamar presents a scenario of a night at the party with an empty bottle and an empty heart, and he looks to leave with a lady whose ex-boyfriend has made her angry. In the bridge, he is asking her how long it would take her to decide as he does not want to waste his time while considering the possibility of the girl agreeing to leave with him.
Overall, the song How Many Drinks? deals with the theme of love and relationships, and its lyrics suggest a casual approach to dating as Kendrick Lamar tests the waters to know how much alcohol a lady needs before leaving with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Frustration (watching you dance)
Kendrick is frustrated as he watches the person dance, thinking about how long it will take for them to leave with him.
Hesitation (to get in them pants)
Kendrick feels hesitant to get intimate with the person, but still considers the possibility.
Come closer baby (so I can touch)
Kendrick wants the person to come closer so he can touch them and see if there is a mutual attraction.
One question, am I moving too fast?
Kendrick is aware that he might be coming on too strong and wants to make sure the person is comfortable with his approach.
Cause' I ain't leaving alone feel like I could be honest babe
Kendrick doesn't want to leave alone and is being honest with the person about his intentions.
We both know that we're grown
Kendrick acknowledges that they are both adults and can make their own decisions.
How many drinks would it take you to leave with me?
Kendrick is asking how much alcohol it would take for the person to leave the party with him.
Yeah you look good, and I got money
Kendrick is attracted to the person's appearance and wants to impress them with his financial status.
But I don't wanna waste my time
Kendrick doesn't want to waste his time pursuing someone who isn't interested in him.
Back of my mind, I'm hoping you say two or three
Kendrick is hoping that the person will reveal that they will only need a few drinks to leave with him.
Temptation (is calling your name)
The temptation of leaving the party with Kendrick is calling to the person.
Sweet persuasion, oh (baby this is a game)
Kendrick is trying to persuade the person to leave with him in a playful, non-threatening way.
Come closer baby (if you like what you hear)
Kendrick is encouraging the person to come closer and listen to what he has to say.
Impassioned (is what I'm making you feel)
Kendrick is trying to make the person feel passionate and excited about the idea of leaving with him.
Aha, and what do we have
Kendrick is reflecting on the situation he is in with the person and what might happen next.
Your empty heart and my empty bottle and yellow cab
Kendrick is drawing a parallel between the emptiness of the person's heart and the emptiness of the bottle, and suggests they take a cab home.
That you are likely to catch but your latest ex made you mad
Kendrick thinks that the person is looking for someone to catch their heart, but they are upset because of their latest ex.
So I figured the perfect catch would be you if I made the pass
Kendrick believes that the perfect person to catch the heart of the person is him, and he makes a move to make that happen.
Pool full of liquor then we dive in it
Kendrick is suggesting that he and the person take a dive into a pool full of liquor and fully indulge in the night.
Knowing if I lick her I might die in it
Kendrick is aware of the risks that come with being intimate with someone but is still willing to take the chance.
Then reincarnate as a fly gymnast
Kendrick is implying that he will do whatever it takes to please the person, even if it means coming back reincarnated as a fly gymnast.
Just to flip my tongue on you
Kendrick is teasing the person and suggesting that he will use his tongue in a sexual manner with them.
This the Olympics
Kendrick suggests that the situation he is in with the person is like an Olympic event, with high stakes and intense competition.
State your name, live in the moment
Kendrick invites the person to live in the moment and enjoy themselves with him.
It's your time to own it, I see it in you baby
Kendrick thinks that the person has the potential to have a good time and wants them to take ownership of that.
She tell me that she never get a first let away
Kendrick suggests that the person is hesitant, but wants to make the best of the situation.
And life is a bitch, but every dog has its day
Kendrick acknowledges that life can be rough, but that everyone has their moment of triumph.
Holla pull up, pull up, bring it back, come rewind
Kendrick is energizing the party and encouraging people to have a good time and dance to the music.
Pull up them bittracks, that pack come behind
Kendrick is referring to musical sounds and encouraging the party to keep the vibe going.
Pull 'em to the side, let me slide up in it
Kendrick wants to be intimate with the person and asks them to move away from the crowd to make it happen.
Or waste your time, or waste your time
Kendrick emphasizes that he doesn't want to waste anyone's time, and that they should either proceed with the night or move on.
Or waste our time, baby it's alright
Kendrick is reassuring the person that it's okay if they decide not to leave together, and that their time together is not wasted.
Oh it's alright now
Kendrick is acknowledging that whatever happens, it will be alright.
I don't wanna waste my time, no
Kendrick repeats that he doesn't want to waste his time and wants to take action.
I don't wanna waste no time, oh no
Kendrick emphasizes that he really does not want to waste time and wants to pursue the person.
I don't wanna waste your time, babe
Kendrick is considerate of the person's time and does not want to waste it.
I don't wanna waste our time, oh my time, oh whoa, now
Kendrick is again emphasizing that he does not want to waste time, whether it's his or the person's.
No no no, I ain't judgin' if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
Kendrick is acknowledging that things might get intimate tonight and wants to make sure the person knows he's not judging them for it.
What? More power to you if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
Kendrick is supportive of the idea that the person might want to be intimate with him and encourages them to do what feels right.
I ain't judgin' if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
Kendrick is again emphasizing that he is not judging the person's potential willingness to get intimate.
What? More power to you if you do decide that you might be ___ing tonight
Kendrick is once again encouraging the person to do what they feel is right and take control of the situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kendrick Lamar, Miguel Pimentel, Paul Williams, Roger Nichols, Salaam Remi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jermainedacosta2824
Used to be a fan, but after hearing this masterpiece, I’m a whole air-conditioner now.
@amiyavalentine6561
Ayo😭
@Butterfly-cu4ex
😂 ❤️
@zuberi4805
I swear I'm stealing this🤣🤣🤣🤣
@jermainedacosta2824
@Zuberi no problem 😉
@jermainedacosta2824
@Butterfly for real 😂😂
@nickcrawford187
Miguel is definitely not recognizing enough for the music he creates. So underrated.
@jerome834
i mean this video has 133 million views?
@stai3tgaming293
@jsheppwalker it’s not enough bro💀
@jerome834
@STAI3TGAMING true