Kendrick Lamar told MTV about his inspiration from the TV series Roots:
"I’ve been called many things growing up. In the state of just being a black man, I’ve been called many things … But it’s taking that negativity and being proud of it and making it your own. Saying I am a king no matter what you call me."
According to Songfacts, producer Sounwave told Spin magazine:
"Me, I was like, ‘This is it! We got it right here.’ Me and Kendrick, we always work very hands on together, and this track, I just knew it. And I was waiting for his reaction as he was listening to it, thinking, ‘Yes, this is it.’ And he’s like, ‘It’s cool… but… I want it a little more nasty.’ And I was like, ‘What are you talking about? This is like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made.’ And he was like, ‘Just, trust me on this. Simplify it.’
I ended up stripping a bunch of stuff off; I took all ten guitars off, and it just left one little bass line, and once I did that, I understood 100 percent exactly where he wanted to go with it. He’s a genius, he really should have got credit on it, but he was being modest – as long as the art was there, he was happy. A lot of people will never hear the original but it was, like, the jazziest record in the world. And it ended up being one of the nastiest records in the world."
Kendrick told NME:
"It’s the story of struggle and standing up for what you believe in. No matter how many barriers you gotta break down, no matter how many escape routes you gotta run to tell the truth. That’s what I think we all can relate to. Just being the most confident in the things that I wrote and the ideas that I have. Going back to the essence of being a true lyricist at heart."
King Kunta
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want you monkey-mouth motherfuckers sittin' in my throne again
Ayy, ayy, nigga, what's happenin'? K-dot back in the hood, nigga!
I'm mad (he mad!), But I ain't stressin'
True friends
One question
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
Kunta, black man taking no losses, oh yeah
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
When you got the yams (what's the yams?)
The yam is the power that be (that be, that be, that be, that be, that be)
You can smell it when I'm walkin' down the street
(Oh yes, we can, oh yes, we can)
I can dig rappin'
But a rapper with a ghost writer?
What the fuck happened? (Oh no)
I swore I wouldn't tell (tell, tell, tell, tell)
But most of y'all sharing bars
Like you got the bottom bunk in a two-man cell (a two-man cell)
Something's in the water (something's in the water)
And if I gotta brown-nose for some gold
Then I'd rather be a bum than a motherfuckin' baller (oh yeah)
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
King Kunta, black man taking no losses, oh yeah
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him (King Kunta)
When you got the yams (what's the yams?)
The yam brought it out of Richard Pryor (Pryor, Pryor, Pryor, Pryor)
Manipulated Bill Clinton with desires
24/7, 365 days times two, I was contemplatin' gettin' off stage
Just to go back to the hood, see my enemy, and say (oh yeah)
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
King Kunta, black man taking no losses, oh yeah
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
You goat-mouth mammyfucker
I was gonna kill a couple rappers, but they did it to themselves
Everybody's suicidal, they ain't even need my help
This shit is elementary, I'll probably go to jail
If I shoot at your identity and bounce to the left
Stuck a flag in my city, everybody's screamin', "Compton!"
I should probably run for mayor when I'm done, to be honest
And I put that on my momma and my baby boo too
20 million walkin' out the court buildin', woo-woo!
Aw, yeah, fuck the judge
I made it past 25, and there I was
A little nappy-headed nigga with the world behind him
Life ain't shit but a fat vagina
Screamin', "Annie, are you okay? Annie, are you okay?"
Limo tinted with the gold plates
Straight from the bottom, this the belly of the beast
From a peasant to a prince to a motherfuckin' king (oh yeah)
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
By the time you hear the next pop
The funk shall be within you
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
King Kunta, black man taking no losses, oh yeah
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
Funk
Funk, funk
Funk, funk, funk, funk, funk, funk, funk, funk
We want the funk!
We want the funk!
Now if I give you the funk, you gon' take it?
We want the funk!
Now if I give you the funk, you gon' take it?
We want the funk!
Now if I give you the funk, you gon' take it?
We want the funk!
Do you want the funk?
We want the funk!
Do you want the funk?
We want the funk
Now if I give you the funk, you gon' take it?
We want the funk!
I remember you was conflicted, misusing your influence
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's "King Kunta" are layered with political, social, and personal commentary. The song's opening lines express anger and dissatisfaction with people who disrespect his position ("I got a bone to pick / I don't want you monkey-mouth motherfuckers sittin' in my throne again"). Kendrick then introduces himself back in his hometown, Compton, as a successful rapper ("K-dot back in the hood, nigga!"). He states that he's mad but not stressing, implying that he's confident in his success and position in the rap game. He then questions the loyalty of his peers, asking where they were when he was on the come-up, but now everyone wants a piece of his success ("Bitch, where you when I was walkin'? Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'").
The hook adds to the theme of success amidst struggles and betrayal, as Kendrick uses yams as a metaphor for power and influence ("When you got the yams (what's the yams?) / The yam is the power that be (that be, that be)"). He then criticizes rappers who use ghostwriters, calling them out for being fake and sharing bars like they're in prison ("But a rapper with a ghost writer? / What the fuck happened? (Oh no) / I swore I wouldn't tell (tell, tell, tell, tell) / But most of y'all sharing bars / Like you got the bottom bunk in a two-man cell (a two-man cell)"). He ends the verse with the idea that he'd rather be genuine and unsuccessful than a sellout ("And if I gotta brown-nose for some gold / Then I'd rather be a bum than a motherfuckin' baller (oh yeah)").
Overall, "King Kunta" reflects on Kendrick Lamar's rise to fame, his loyalty to his roots and struggles, and his disdain for the fake and disloyal in the industry. The song can also be read as a commentary on the Black experience in America, where success often comes at a cost and success is scrutinized and criticized.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a bone to pick
I have an issue that I need to address
I don't want you monkey-mouth motherfuckers sittin' in my throne again
I don't want disrespectful people taking my position of power
Ayy, ayy, nigga, what's happenin'? K-dot back in the hood, nigga!
I'm back in my hometown, what's up?
I'm mad (he mad!), But I ain't stressin'
I'm angry, but I'm not going to let it get to me
True friends
Real friends
One question
I have a question
Bitch, where you when I was walkin'?
Where were you when I needed support?
Now I run the game, got the whole world talkin'
I am the leader in my field and everyone is talking about me
King Kunta, everybody wanna cut the legs off him
As the king, there are people who want to dethrone me
Kunta, black man taking no losses, oh yeah
I'm strong and resilient, I won't be defeated
When you got the yams (what's the yams?)
Yams represent power and influence
The yam is the power that be (that be, that be, that be, that be, that be)
The yam is the source of authority
You can smell it when I'm walkin' down the street
My power and influence is evident
(Oh yes, we can, oh yes, we can)
Others agree with me
I can dig rappin'
I like rapping
But a rapper with a ghost writer?
Why would a rapper need someone else to write their songs?
What the fuck happened? (Oh no)
What's going on?
I swore I wouldn't tell (tell, tell, tell, tell)
I promised I wouldn't say anything
But most of y'all sharing bars
Many rappers share the same lines and lyrics
Like you got the bottom bunk in a two-man cell (a two-man cell)
Like you have no originality or creativity
Something's in the water (something's in the water)
There is something wrong with the current state of rap
And if I gotta brown-nose for some gold
I refuse to suck up to gain wealth or power
Then I'd rather be a bum than a motherfuckin' baller (oh yeah)
I'd rather be poor than fake and corrupt
The yam brought it out of Richard Pryor (Pryor, Pryor, Pryor, Pryor)
The real power was present in influential figures such as Richard Pryor
Manipulated Bill Clinton with desires
Society's power can manipulate even the highest positions of political power
24/7, 365 days times two, I was contemplatin' gettin' off stage
I thought about quitting my career many times
Just to go back to the hood, see my enemy, and say (oh yeah)
I would only quit to prove a point to my enemies
You goat-mouth mammyfucker
You're a disrespectful individual
I was gonna kill a couple rappers, but they did it to themselves
I was going to take down my competition, but they ruined themselves
Everybody's suicidal, they ain't even need my help
Everyone is self-destructive and doesn't need me to take them down
This shit is elementary, I'll probably go to jail
The situation is straightforward and I may get into trouble
If I shoot at your identity and bounce to the left
If I insult you and leave without looking back
Stuck a flag in my city, everybody's screamin', "Compton!"
I represent my hometown of Compton
I should probably run for mayor when I'm done, to be honest
I might as well become the leader of my community when I'm successful
And I put that on my momma and my baby boo too
I swear to this on my mom and my significant other
20 million walkin' out the court buildin', woo-woo!
I just won a major lawsuit and making a lot of money
Aw, yeah, fuck the judge
I'm not happy about the situation and the judge
I made it past 25, and there I was
I've reached a pivotal age and I'm reflecting on my life
A little nappy-headed nigga with the world behind him
I came from very little, but have the support of the entire world
Life ain't shit but a fat vagina
Life is unpredictable and unreliable
Screamin', "Annie, are you okay? Annie, are you okay?"
Referencing Michael Jackson's song Smooth Criminal
Limo tinted with the gold plates
I'm successful and show it off with my luxury car
Straight from the bottom, this the belly of the beast
I come from the most difficult parts of society
From a peasant to a prince to a motherfuckin' king (oh yeah)
I have risen to the top and I'm not afraid to declare myself a king
By the time you hear the next pop
By the time you hear the next popular trend
The funk shall be within you
I aim to bring back the true essence of music
Funk
Referring to the musical genre
Funk, funk
Continuing with the reference to the musical genre
Funk, funk, funk, funk, funk, funk, funk, funk
Emphasizing the importance of the genre
We want the funk!
We want the true musical essence back
Now if I give you the funk, you gon' take it?
If I bring back the real essence of music, will you accept it?
Do you want the funk?
Do you want the true essence of music?
We want the funk
We want the true essence of music
I remember you was conflicted, misusing your influence
I remember when you were unsure and abusing your power
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ahmad A. Lewis, David Blake, Johnny Burns, Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears, Michael Joe Jackson, Stefan Kendal Gordy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lì Márt
nice
Geneva Andes
h
@LR-kr9sz
I love the way the beat just gets progressively better and more west coast
@BeastMode-gv3ng
It's Funk music
@JesseHenderson-xc2kg
@@BeastMode-gv3ng *G-Funk
@ian123412
noticed that too, keeps elevating
@ToPimpADamnCityStepper80
East or west?
@carson_walter
West@@ToPimpADamnCityStepper80
@iaqh
"most of y'all share bars like you got the bottom bunk in a two man cell"
Damn, Kendrick always with the clever bars.
@fredrickbarnes8568
Remind me of that j Cole bar “feel like the game got away from the bars it’s like a prison escape” 😬