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.
Memories Back Then
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew a bad bitch, but she was kind of slow
Still gave it up when it's a few of us
She let me finger fuck her on the school bus
We used to cut school with her and run train
She want to hang with us, we want one thing
Just penetrating that throat dog
She choke on it like Smoke Dog
In a dice game I go see her
She'll give me enough to buy a quarter ounce
And then blow a blunt of that reefa'
She used to buy a nigga new sneakers
Pay the bill on my beeper
Just so she can pay to put a "69"
And I know what time to go freak her
Then one day I just asked her
"Why you always give your ass up?
I mean damn these hoes get paid
All you do is get laid, this shit don't add up."
She said, "Tip, all I wanna do is feel love
Even if I know it ain't real love
Even if I know a nigga only finna hit it
Then never call back, I still fuck"
And that's fucked up, she's so trill
I need somethin', she go steal
When the trap hot and police ride
Nigga, guess where we go chill?
For 'bout four years she held dope
And my four pounds till' it goes down
I remember shawty, she stayed down
I won't say her name because she married now
When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
All of the things that I did back then
Oh when I'm in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had oh
All of the things that I did back then
She would always turn heads when she'd fall through
She would always make moves how a boss do
And she never gave any nigga time of day
But she the chick all the niggas tried to talk to
But when it came to me, she had a thing for me
When we kick it she roll up the weed for me
And we'd both cut class post up in the cut steady
Watching just to see if the police coming
We got close over time, her and I
Right around the time that I first got signed
Come to think about it I was 'bout 17
I ain't even have a license, couldn't even drive
I was going back and forth with these flights
Another show after show, each night
She became so suspicious of these other bitches
She'd go through my phone and we'd fight
Talk about torn between the two
Wasn't really much more that we could do
Wasn't really much space for us
But she stayed down with every tour she seen me do
But I guess one night I had a few
Huh, one night I had a few
Yeah, this little chick that caught my eye
I told her "hurry up, meet me at the room"
And no, I didn't have a contraceptive
And my common sense neglected
And two months later next thing I know
I got a text that said "I'm pregnant"
And you can almost bet she kept it
That's the reason why you left me
On top of all that, it wasn't even mine
I went and got paternity tested, damn!
When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
All of the things that I did back then
Oh when I'm in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had oh
All of the things that I did back then
Wait, hold up, is that you?
With them big ol' thighs after school?
Jay 3-0-5 had gave me high five
When I said I'm in hot pursuit
You said I won't ride until Kendrick drive
A new Monte Carlo that cruise
And that shot my pride, I tried to improv'
But no freestyle I never do
You looking for the nigga with the tallest 'fetti
You overlooking every nigga that ain't quite ready
To make it rain on you like about to break a levee
Hold up, that pussy petty
Yeah, your nails did, your hair did
Your cell phone is selfish
It only got numbers that come with a Hummer
Her new prima donna I smelt it
Tried to make you mine, ho!
Tried to make some time, ho!
But I ain't got the time or the patience
To stop and wait in line, ho!
Her dreams holds Versace
She fall for Armani
Only deal with rich niggas
Fuck you and Mitt Romney
I'm grown now I'm on my own now
I'm po'ppin'
Change my phone now
When I get home now
I got o'ptions
Fast forward, wait is that you?
With them big old thighs after school?
And your 3 kids and 3 baby daddies
And car note that's overdue? I know
When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
All of the things that I did back then
Oh when I'm in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had oh
All of the things that I did back then
The lyrics to "Memories Back Then" by Kendrick Lamar tell the story of different experiences he had with women in his past. In the first verse, he talks about a woman who willingly gave herself to him and his friends, but also helped him out when he was low on money. However, when he asks her why she lets men use her, she reveals that all she wants is to feel loved, even if it's not real love. This verse shows how society can often take advantage of women who feel like they have no other option.
In the second verse, Kendrick talks about a woman he was involved with while he was touring. She was supportive of him as he traveled the world, but things turned sour when he cheated on her and got another woman pregnant. The third verse talks about a woman he met after he had become successful, but she only wanted him for his money and material possessions. This verse shows how fame and success can attract fake people who only want to use others.
Overall, the song explores themes of love, lust, and betrayal. It shows how society can impact the way people view relationships and how some people can be easily taken advantage of.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, in my apartment a long time ago
At my apartment a while ago
I knew a bad b****, but she was kind of slow
I was acquainted with an attractive woman, but she was not very intelligent
Still gave it up when it's a few of us
Still had sexual relations when there were others present
She let me finger f*** her on the school bus
She allowed me to digitally stimulate her on the school bus
We used to cut school with her and run train
We used to skip school with her and engage in group sexual activities
She want to hang with us, we want one thing
She wanted to spend time with us, but we only wanted sex
Just penetrating that throat dog
Merely penetrating her mouth
She choke on it like Smoke Dog
She gagged on it like Smoke Dog
But whenever I f***ed up my re-up
But whenever I messed up my drug supply
In a dice game I go see her
In a gambling situation, I would visit her
She'll give me enough to buy a quarter ounce
She would provide me with enough money to purchase a quarter ounce of a controlled substance
And then blow a blunt of that reefa'
And then smoke a marijuana cigarette
She used to buy a n**** new sneakers
She used to purchase new sneakers for me
Pay the bill on my beeper
Pay the bill for my pager
Just so she can pay to put a "69"
Just so she can pay to have the number "69" on the pager
And I know what time to go freak her
And I know when to go have sex with her
Then one day I just asked her
Then one day I simply inquired with her
"Why you always give your a** up?
"Why do you always engage in sexual activities?
I mean damn these h*** get paid
I mean, these individuals get compensated
All you do is get laid, this s*** don't add up."
All you do is have sex, this situation doesn't make sense.
She said, "Tip, all I wanna do is feel love
She said, "Tip, all I want is to experience love
Even if I know it ain't real love
Even if I am aware that it is not genuine love
Even if I know a n**** only finna hit it
Even if I know a man will only have sexual intercourse with me
Then never call back, I still f***
Then never contact me again, I still engage in sexual activities
And that's f***ed up, she's so trill
And that's messed up, she is so real
I need somethin', she go steal
I need something, she would steal it for me
When the trap hot and police ride
When the area is under surveillance and law enforcement is active
N****, guess where we go chill?
Guess where we hang out?
For 'bout four years she held dope
For around four years she possessed illegal drugs
And my four pounds till' it goes down
And my four pounds of drugs until it is depleted
I remember shawty, she stayed down
I remember the woman, she remained loyal
I won't say her name because she married now
I will refrain from mentioning her name because she is now married
Wait, hold up, is that you?
Wait, hold on, is that you?
With them big ol' thighs after school?
With those large thighs after school?
Jay 3-0-5 had gave me high five
Jay 3-0-5, a person, gave me a high five
When I said I'm in hot pursuit
When I mentioned that I am in pursuit
You said I won't ride until Kendrick drive
You said you will not join me until Kendrick drives
A new Monte Carlo that cruise
A new Chevrolet Monte Carlo that cruises
And that shot my pride, I tried to improv'
And that hurt my self-esteem, I attempted to improvise
But no freestyle I never do
But no improvisation, I never do that
You looking for the n**** with the tallest 'fetti
You are searching for the man with the most money
You overlooking every n**** that ain't quite ready
You are disregarding every man who is not fully prepared
To make it rain on you like about to break a levee
To spend a large amount of money on you, resembling the breaking of a levee
Hold up, that p**** petty
Wait, that vagina is insignificant
Yeah, your nails did, your hair did
Yeah, your nails are done, your hair is styled
Your cell phone is selfish
Your cell phone is self-centered
It only got numbers that come with a Hummer
It only possesses contacts that are associated with wealth
Her new prima donna I smelt it
I detected her new conceited attitude
Tried to make you mine, ho!
Attempted to make you my own, prostitute!
Tried to make some time, ho!
Tried to create some time, prostitute!
But I ain't got the time or the patience
But I do not have the time or patience
To stop and wait in line, ho!
To pause and wait in line, prostitute!
Her dreams holds Versace
Her aspirations involve the luxury brand Versace
She fall for Armani
She is fond of the designer brand Armani
Only deal with rich n****s
Only engage in relationships with wealthy men
F*** you and Mitt Romney
Sexual intercourse with you and Mitt Romney
I'm grown now I'm on my own now
I am now an adult and independent
I'm po'ppin'
I am popping
Change my phone now
Change my phone number now
When I get home now
When I arrive at home now
I got o'ptions
I have options
Fast forward, wait is that you?
Jump forward in time, wait is that you?
With them big old thighs after school?
With those large thighs after school?
And your 3 kids and 3 baby daddies
And your three children and three fathers
And car note that's overdue? I know
And a car payment that is past due? I am aware
When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
When the lights are turned off and I am in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
I contemplate the chaos in my mind
All of the things that I did back then
All of the actions I engaged in during the past
Oh when I'm in my bed
Oh when I am in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had oh
I reflect on all the memories I have
All of the things that I did back then
All of the actions I engaged in during the past
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby Ray Simmons, Clifford Harris, Kendrick Duckworth, Kris Stephens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-bn9es1vo6e
Heavenly Father I pray you keep the person that's reading this alive, safe, healthy and financially blessed. Amen
@Jay-ee8gc
Amen 🙏🏾
@zavinci2372
Amen🙏🏾
@richardoputa6022
Amen
@richardoputa6022
And also you
@kafkaesque3709
Amen, blessings.
@lethabothomas7038
Still a hit even in 2023. The lyrics hit even harder as an adult !
@dareason27
Facts
@ticeramirez-pz7ow
No cap
@tawnikitari
For real 😢