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.
Kush & Corinthians
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause you never know
When a bullet might hit
And you die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it
Live your life, live it right
Be different, do different things
Don't do it like
But we can win, wait
Let's be straight, to the point
To the meaning of life
What's my purpose? Maybe this Earth is
Ain't a good place to be
How far is heaven? Let's see
Is it in the clouds like they said it would be?
I wonder when I die
Will he give me receipts?
I wonder will the eyes of the lord look at me?
Look at me, look at me, I'm a loser, I'm a winner
I'm good, I'm bad, I'm a Christian, I'm a sinner
I'm humble, I'm loud, I'm righteous, I'm a killer
What I'm doing, I'm saying that I'm human
Now people just
Ride to it, ride to it
Cause you never know
When a bullet might hit
And you die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it
Live your life, live it right
Be different, do different things
Don't do it like
He did, cause he ain't what you is
But we can win, wait
Let's be straight, to the point
It go 1, 2, 3
Two in the front
One in the back seat
Seat, seat, seat
Looking for a victim of an AK-47
100 round each, each, each
But why must we retaliate?
Is it human nature?
I don't know
I look for the answers later
Make a right, there they go!
Some times gotta
Ride to it, ride to it
Cause you never know
When a bullet might hit
And you die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it
Live your life, live it right
Be different, do different things
Don't do it like
He did, cause he ain't what you is
But we can win, wait
Let's be straight, to the point
As I open this book and then burn up some of this reefer
My plan is to figure out the world and escape all my demons
I'm dying inside, I wonder if Zion inside the heavens
A condom, a rollie, pain, a fat blunt and a mack 11
That's all I see in my life and they tell me to make it right
But I"m right on the edge of Everest and I might jump tonight
Have you ever had known a saint that was taking sinner's advice?
Well it's probably you, am I right? If I'm wrong, you a fucking lie
When I lie on back and look at the ceiling, it's so appealing to pray
I wonder if I'm just a villain, dealing my morals away
Some people look at my face then tell me don't worry about it
I give em back they deposit, no money, just total silence
I'm running, they say I'm wildin' a youngin' with lack of guidance
That's hundreds of us with problems: more money, more drugs and violence
Look at the soul of an out-of-control artist
That's dealing with life the hardest
That's on my life, but regardless I'ma
Ride to it, ride to it
Cause I never know
When a bullet might hit
And I die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it
Live my life, live it right
Be different, do different things
Don't do it like
He did, cause he ain't what I is
But we can win, wait
Let's be straight, to the point
Yea, life can please ya
But death can tease ya
On the day Niko had that seizure
I lost one of my biggest believers
Close deaths make you think about your life
Like if I had that same chance twice
What would I do different?
I'd tell her I loved her more
Do more
But tease her bout crying on that picture
Now when I'm done recording
Swear I let the beat bang in her name
Make her shake her head in heaven saying
They at it again
Make them clouds turn to speakers
Don't take too much smoke from the reefer
Love being in the room with her peoples
Now my love life murking it
Family having surgeries
Hate it that the truth that chose for they life to be under me
Lord, what kind of life is this?
Mama I just wanna sing
Mama said, "According to get everything
You gotta risk everything"
So I'm smoking my kush reading Corinthians
Smoking my kush reading Corinthians
The song "Kush & Corinthians" by Kendrick Lamar featuring BJ is a reflective song that talks about the various issues that the artist deals with in his daily life. The chorus, "Ride to it, ride to it. Cause you never know when a bullet might hit. And you die to it, die to it. Die to it, die to it. Live your life, live it right. Be different, do different things. Don't do it like he did, cause he ain't what you is. But we can win, wait. Let's be straight, to the point", talks about the artist's fear of falling victim to gun violence, and the realization that life is unpredictable. Lamar also reflects on existential questions throughout the song such as the meaning of life, and the afterlife. Lamar also questions human nature in terms of violence and whether it is innate.
The verse, "As I open this book and then burn up some of this reefer. My plan is to figure out the world and escape all my demons. I'm dying inside, I wonder if Zion inside the heavens. A condom, a rollie, pain, a fat blunt and a mack 11. That's all I see in my life and they tell me to make it right. But I"m right on the edge of Everest and I might jump tonight", shows Lamar questioning the meaning of his life and how he deals with his demons by using marijuana. The verse also discusses his experience with mortality and the possibility of suicide.
Overall, the song's lyrics touch on a range of topics including gun violence, mortality, existential questions, and finding purpose in life. It is a deep and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and values.
Line by Line Meaning
Ride to it, ride to it
Keep moving forward
Cause you never know
The future is uncertain
When a bullet might hit
Life is fragile and can end quickly
And you die to it, die to it
Death is inevitable
Live your life, live it right
Make the most of your time
Be different, do different things
Be independent and forge your own path
Don't do it like
Don't follow the same path as others
He did, cause he ain't what you is
Everyone is unique
But we can win, wait
We can succeed if we persevere
Let's be straight, to the point
Be honest and direct
To the meaning of life
Questioning the purpose of existence
What's my purpose?
Searching for a reason to live
Maybe this Earth is
Doubting the value of life on Earth
Ain't a good place to be
Believing life is too hard
How far is heaven?
Questioning the existence of an afterlife
Let's see
Curiosity about the unknown
Is it in the clouds like they said it would be?
Wondering if heaven is a physical place
I wonder when I die
Contemplating the inevitability of death
Will he give me receipts?
Questioning the existence of an afterlife and possible judgement
I wonder will the eyes of the lord look at me?
Questioning whether one will be judged by a higher power after death
Look at me, look at me, I'm a loser, I'm a winner
Acknowledging that everyone has flaws and strengths
I'm good, I'm bad, I'm a Christian, I'm a sinner
Accepting that everyone is complex
I'm humble, I'm loud, I'm righteous, I'm a killer
Acknowledging that personality traits can contradict each other
What I'm doing, I'm saying that I'm human
Embracing one's humanity and flaws
Now people just
Nowadays people
It go 1, 2, 3
Counting, like a rap flow
Two in the front
Two seats in the front of a car
One in the back seat
One seat in the back of a car
Seat, seat, seat
Repeating sound for emphasis
Looking for a victim of an AK-47
Describing a violent scenario
100 round each, each, each
Very violent imagery
But why must we retaliate?
Questioning the cycles of violence
Is it human nature?
Asking if violence is inherent in humanity
I don't know
Admitting uncertainty
I look for the answers later
Seeking answers to difficult questions
Make a right, there they go!
Narrating a scene
Some times gotta
Sometimes you have to
As I open this book and then burn up some of this reefer
Associating reading and drug use
My plan is to figure out the world and escape all my demons
Using reading and drugs to deal with personal struggles
I'm dying inside, I wonder if Zion inside the heavens
Expressing inner turmoil and questioning the afterlife
A condom, a rollie, pain, a fat blunt and a mack 11
Listing objects that reflect a certain lifestyle and attitude
That's all I see in my life and they tell me to make it right
Feeling stuck in a certain way of life
But I'm right on the edge of Everest and I might jump tonight
Feeling overwhelmed by inner demons
Have you ever had known a saint that was taking sinner's advice?
Questioning conventional wisdom and hypocrisy
Well, it's probably you, am I right?
Challenging the listener to reflect
If I'm wrong, you a fucking lie
Asserting the validity of the previous statement
When I lie on back and look at the ceiling, it's so appealing to pray
Expressing the desire for spiritual relief
I wonder if I'm just a villain, dealing my morals away
Questioning one's own morality
Some people look at my face then tell me don't worry about it
Reflecting on other people's perceptions
I give 'em back they deposit, no money, just total silence
Refusing to engage with negativity
I'm running, they say I'm wildin' a youngin' with lack of guidance
Feeling judged by others
That's hundreds of us with problems: more money, more drugs and violence
Observing societal issues
Look at the soul of an out-of-control artist
Describing oneself as an artist
That's dealing with life the hardest
Acknowledging the challenges of life as an artist
That's on my life, but regardless I'ma
Despite everything, I'll always
Yea, life can please ya
Life can be enjoyable
But death can tease ya
Death is unpredictable and uncontrollable
On the day Niko had that seizure
Sharing a personal story
I lost one of my biggest believers
Expressing grief and loss
Close deaths make you think about your life
Reflecting on the impact of death
Like if I had that same chance twice
Regretting missed opportunities
What would I do different?
Reflecting on what could have been done better
I'd tell her I loved her more
Expressing love and appreciation
Do more
Do more things together
But tease her bout crying on that picture
Sharing a personal, lighthearted memory
Now when I'm done recording
After finishing a song
Swear I let the beat bang in her name
Dedicating a song to someone
Make her shake her head in heaven saying
Imagining the reaction of someone who has passed away
They at it again
Referring to oneself and one's music
Make them clouds turn to speakers
Imagining music being played throughout the sky
Don't take too much smoke from the reefer
Making sure not to overindulge
Love being in the room with her peoples
Enjoying the company of loved ones
Now my love life murking it
Describing a successful love life
Family having surgeries
Dealing with health issues within the family
Hate it that the truth that chose for they life to be under me
Feeling burdened by one's success and the responsibilities that come with it
Lord, what kind of life is this?
Questioning one's own life
Mama I just wanna sing
Expressing one's passion
Mama said, "According to get everything
Quoting advice from one's mother
You gotta risk everything"
Believing that taking risks is necessary for success
So I'm smoking my kush reading Corinthians
Reflecting on life while smoking marijuana and reading the Bible
Smoking my kush reading Corinthians
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
Lyrics © Missing Link Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, WYATT COLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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