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, A$AP Rocky 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.
Drake and Lamar's relationship started in 2011 with the collaboration "Buried Alive Interlude" on Drake's album Take Care, followed by "Poetic Justice" on Lamar's album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City in 2012. Lamar also accompanied Drake as an opening act on his 2012 Club Paradise Tour. In 2013, Lamar dissed Drake and several other rappers on the song "Control" by Big Sean, later clarifying that his verse was intended to be seen as "friendly competition". In the ensuing years, Drake and Lamar publicly dismissed speculations of a conflict between them. However, media outlets identified numerous potential disses by both parties in the years leading up to the escalation in 2024.
On March 22, 2024, Lamar dissed J. Cole and Drake on "Like That" as a response to Drake and J. Cole's 2023 song "First Person Shooter", where Cole claims that he, Drake, and Lamar are the "big three" in modern rap music. On April 5, Cole responded to Lamar on the diss track "7 Minute Drill", but in the week following its release, Cole apologized for the song and removed it from streaming services. Drake then released the songs "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle" in April. "Taylor Made Freestyle" was later deleted from social media over copyright concerns from Tupac Shakur's estate.
In response, Lamar released "Euphoria" on April 30 and "6:16 in LA" on May 3. Drake responded with "Family Matters" later on the 3rd, accusing Lamar of being a domestic abuser and alleging that one of Lamar's children was fathered by Dave Free. Less than an hour later, Lamar released "Meet the Grahams", accusing Drake of sex trafficking, being a sexual predator, and fathering a second secret child (in a 2018 diss track by Pusha T, it was revealed that Drake was secretly fathering his son Adonis). Lamar then released "Not Like Us" the following day, more explicitly accusing Drake of pedophilia and disrespecting the rap scene. On May 5, Drake responded with "The Heart Part 6", denying Lamar's accusations and claiming that his team gave Lamar false information about the secret child.
Several publications have described Lamar as winning the feud in popular consensus, citing music critics and social media users. Some commentators have praised the rivalry's spectacle and the significance it gave to modern hip-hop, while others have criticized both artists for the way they made and responded to each other's accusations Lamar has been supported by Metro Boomin, Future, Pusha T, Kanye West, The Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross, and Jay Rock, among others.[note 4] The music video for not like us was met with widespread critical acclaim. Numerous publications and websites called it another victory lap for Lamar in his feud with Drake.[a] CBC News called it a moment of re-ignition of the feud,[84] while Vibe opined it as Lamar's "knockout punch" against the rapper.[85] The video's content also discredited many allegations and claims that Drake had dissed Lamar with, including refuting Drake's derogatory claims against his family with their appearance in the video dancing happily alongside him,[57][58] as well as the video credits reading "Directed by Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar", which dispelled rumors that Lamar and his creative partner had been in conflict with each other.[57][86]
Lust
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somethin' came over me
Way too high to simmer down
Might as well overheat
Too close to comfort
As blood rush my favorite vein
Heart beat racin' like a junkie's
I just need you to want me
Let me put the head in
Ooh, I don't want more than that
Girl, I respect the cat
I promise just a touch
Let me put the head in
"It's okay," she said, "It's okay"
Yeah, I need everybody's motherfuckin' hands up right now
I need everybody's motherfuckin'
Door and his Nike Air Rattles
Rush the fire exit, no time for battles
Well I, I never expected
This that new, new shit
Wake up in the mornin' thinkin' 'bout money, kick your feet up
Watch you a comedy, take a shit, then roll some weed up
Go hit you a lick, go fuck on a bitch
Don't go to work today, cop you a fit
Or maybe some kicks and make you
Door in his Nike Air Rattles
Rush the fire exit, no time for battles
Well I, I never expected
Wake up in the mornin' thinkin' 'bout money, kick your feet up
Watch you a comedy-
Hol' up
Wake up in the mornin' thinkin' 'bout money, kick your feet up
Watch you a comedy, take a shit, then roll some weed up
Go hit you a lick, go fuck on a bitch, don't go to work today
Cop you a fit or maybe some kicks and make it work today
Hang with your homies, stunt on your baby mama
Sip some lean, go get a pistol, shoot out the window
Bet your favorite team, play you some Madden
Go to the club, or your mama house
Whatever you doin' just make it count
I need some water
Wake up in the mornin' thinkin' 'bout money, kick your feet up
Hop in the shower, put on your makeup, lace your weave up
Touchin' yourself, call up your nigga, tell him he ain't shit
Credit card scam, get you a Visa, make him pay your rent
Hop on the 'gram, flex on the bitches that be hatin' on you
Pop you a pill, call up your bitches, have 'em waitin' on you
Go to the club, have you some fun, make that ass bounce
It's whatever, just make it count
I need some water
Somethin' came over me
Way too high to simmer down
Might as well overheat
Too close to comfort
As blood rush my favorite vein
Heart beat racin' like a junkie's
I just need you to want me
Am I askin' too much?
Let me put the head in
Ooh, I don't want more than that
Girl, I respect the cat
I promise just a touch
Let me put the head in
"It's okay," she said, "It's okay"
I wake in the mornin', my head spinnin' from the last night
Both in the trance, feelings I did, what a fast life
Manager called, the lobby called, it's 11:30
Did this before, promised myself I'd be a hour early
Room full of clothes, bag full of money, call it loose change
Fumbled my jewelry, 100k, I lost a new chain
Hop on the bird, hit the next city for another M
Take me a nap and do it again
We all woke up, tryna tune to the daily news
Lookin' for confirmation, hopin' election wasn't true
All of us worried, all of us buried, and the feeling's deep
None of us married to his proposal, make us feel cheap
Still and sad, distraught and mad, tell the neighbor 'bout it
Bet they agree, parade the streets with your voice proudly
Time passin', things change
Revertin' back to our daily programs
Stuck in our ways, lust
Lately, I feel like I been lusting over the fame
Lately, we lust on the same routine of shame
Lately, lately, lately my lust been hiding (Lately)
Lately, it's all contradiction
Lately I'm not here
Lately, I lust over self
Lust turn into fear
Lately, in James 4:4 says
Friend of the world is enemy of the Lord
Brace yourself, lust is all yours
I need some water
Somethin' came over me
Way too high to simmer down
Might as well overheat
Too close to comfort
As blood rush my favorite vein
Heart beat racin' like a junkie's
I just need you to want me
Am I askin' too much?
Let me put the head in
Ooh, I don't want more than that
Girl, I respect the cat
I promise just a touch
Let me put the head in
"It's okay," she said, "It's okay"
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's song LUST. describe the feeling of being caught up in the moment and losing control. The first verse talks about feeling high and wanting to be wanted by someone. The chorus repeats the phrase "I need some water," which can be interpreted as a way to cool down and clear the head. The second verse switches to talk about materialism, such as buying clothes and showing off on social media, but ultimately encourages the listener to do whatever makes them happy.
The song then shifts to Lamar describing the feeling of being caught up in the celebrity lifestyle and the danger of losing oneself to lust for fame and success. He incorporates a Bible verse to warn against becoming too attached to worldly desires. The chorus repeats again as a way to bring the listener back to reality and remind them to focus on what's important.
Overall, the song can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of temptation and losing sight of one's values.
Line by Line Meaning
I need some water
I am experiencing overwhelming emotions and need to calm down.
Somethin' came over me
I am feeling an intense rush of emotions that I cannot control.
Way too high to simmer down
I am too emotionally overwhelmed to calm down and need external assistance.
Might as well overheat
I am fully immersed in my emotions and do not care about the consequences.
Too close to comfort
I am experiencing emotions that are uncomfortable and difficult to manage.
As blood rush my favorite vein
I am feeling an intense emotional pressure as my heart beats faster.
Heart beat racin' like a junkie's
My heart is beating faster than usual, similar to how a drug addict's heart would race when high.
I just need you to want me
I am seeking validation and approval from someone else.
Am I askin' too much?
I am questioning if my emotional needs and desires are unreasonable or excessive.
Let me put the head in
I am asking for sexual intimacy, but not anything more serious.
Ooh, I don't want more than that
I am not looking for a serious relationship or commitment, just casual sex.
Girl, I respect the cat
I am acknowledging and respecting the woman's choice to abstain from sex, should she wish to do so.
I promise just a touch
I am making a promise to only engage in limited physical intimacy.
"It's okay," she said, "It's okay"
The woman is giving consent for physical intimacy to occur.
Yeah, I need everybody's motherfuckin' hands up right now
The artist is asking for a show of unity from the audience.
Door and his Nike Air Rattles
An allusion to the artist's association with gang activity.
Rush the fire exit, no time for battles
An instruction to quickly and discreetly exit the building, avoiding confrontation.
Well I, I never expected
The artist is experiencing an unexpected emotion or reaction to a situation.
This that new, new shit
The artist is introducing a new, unique musical style.
Wake up in the mornin' thinkin' 'bout money, kick your feet up
Encouraging listeners to prioritize their financial goals and enjoy their leisure time.
Watch you a comedy, take a shit, then roll some weed up
Suggesting a relaxed and humorous approach to dealing with stress.
Go hit you a lick, go fuck on a bitch
Using criminal activity and sex as vices to escape reality.
Don't go to work today, cop you a fit
Encouraging irresponsible behavior, such as skipping work and buying material possessions.
Or maybe some kicks and make you
Suggesting buying fashionable shoes as a way to improve self-esteem.
Hang with your homies, stunt on your baby mama
Encouraging toxic relationships and behaviors, such as showing off to one's ex-partner.
Sip some lean, go get a pistol, shoot out the window
Glorifying dangerous and violent behavior.
Bet your favorite team, play you some Madden
Encouraging harmless leisure activities, such as sports betting and video games.
Go to the club, or your mama house
Suggesting either partying or spending time with family as leisure options.
Whatever you doin' just make it count
Encouraging listeners to make the most of their leisure time and prioritize their own happiness.
Hop in the shower, put on your makeup, lace your weave up
Encouraging women to engage in self-care and beauty routines.
Touchin' yourself, call up your nigga, tell him he ain't shit
Suggesting negative and degrading behavior towards a romantic partner.
Credit card scam, get you a Visa, make him pay your rent
Suggesting illegal and unethical behavior as a way to gain financial security.
Hop on the 'gram, flex on the bitches that be hatin' on you
Using social media as a way to show off and gain validation from others.
Pop you a pill, call up your bitches, have 'em waitin' on you
Encouraging drug use and toxic relationships among women.
Go to the club, have you some fun, make that ass bounce
Encouraging women to engage in sexualized behaviors in a party setting.
It's whatever, just make it count
Encouraging listeners to prioritize their own enjoyment and happiness.
I wake in the mornin', my head spinnin' from the last night
The artist is experiencing a hangover and the after-effects of a wild night.
Both in the trance, feelings I did, what a fast life
Reflecting on the fast-paced and reckless lifestyle that led to the hangover.
Manager called, the lobby called, it's 11:30
The artist is experiencing the consequences of his actions, such as being late or unprofessional.
Did this before, promised myself I'd be a hour early
The artist recognizes past mistakes and is trying to improve his behavior.
Room full of clothes, bag full of money, call it loose change
Boasting about wealth and material possessions.
Fumbled my jewelry, 100k, I lost a new chain
Acknowledging the loss or waste of a large amount of money due to carelessness.
Hop on the bird, hit the next city for another M
The artist is touring and making money quickly and easily.
Take me a nap and do it again
The artist is experiencing a repetitive and monotonous lifestyle.
We all woke up, tryna tune to the daily news
Reflecting on a shared experience, such as mourning a major event or loss.
Lookin' for confirmation, hopin' election wasn't true
Reflecting on the disappointment or shock at a political event or decision.
All of us worried, all of us buried, and the feeling's deep
A shared experience of feeling overwhelmed by negative events or emotions.
None of us married to his proposal, make us feel cheap
Feeling undervalued or disrespected by a political decision or proposal.
Still and sad, distraught and mad, tell the neighbor 'bout it
Feeling a need to express negative emotions to others.
Bet they agree, parade the streets with your voice proudly
Encouraging political advocacy and taking action against negative events.
Time passin', things change
Reflecting on the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of time.
Revertin' back to our daily programs
Returning to normal routines after experiencing a major event or change.
Stuck in our ways, lust
Feeling trapped or unable to break free from habitual behavior or desires.
Lately, I feel like I been lusting over the fame
The artist is experiencing a strong desire for fame and success.
Lately, we lust on the same routine of shame
Society is caught up in a cycle of unhealthy and unfulfilling behaviors.
Lately, lately, lately my lust been hiding (Lately)
The artist's desires or motivations are becoming harder to discern or identify.
Lately, it's all contradiction
Feeling conflicted or confused by one's own desires and actions.
Lately I'm not here
Feeling disconnected or distant from one's surroundings or emotions.
Lately, I lust over self
The artist is focusing on self-improvement and growth rather than external desires.
Lust turn into fear
Desires have the potential to manifest into negative or harmful feelings.
Lately, in James 4:4 says
Citing a Bible verse that warns against being too attached to worldly desires.
Friend of the world is enemy of the Lord
The Bible verse cited warns against seeking worldly pleasures over spiritual fulfillment.
Brace yourself, lust is all yours
A warning to listeners to be mindful of their desires and their potential consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adam Keefe Horovitz, Alexander William Sowinski, Chester A Hansen, Dacoury Natche, Darryl Matthews McDaniels, Joseph Ward Simmons, Kendrick Duckworth, Leland Whitty, Mark Anthony Spears, Matthew Adam Tavares, Rick Rubin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lil mart
on BLOOD.
nice
Lì Márt
on King Kunta
nice
Geneva Andes
on King Kunta
h