Momma
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Oh shit!
Surprise or excitement

Oh, I need that
Desire or craving for something

I need that sloppy
Wanting something messy or chaotic

That sloppy
Referring to the same messy or chaotic thing

Like a Chevy in quicksand
Comparing the feeling to a situation of being stuck and sinking

This feeling is unmatched
The feeling is unique and unparalleled

This feeling is brought to you by adrenaline and good rap
The feeling is a result of excitement and skillful music

Black Pendleton ball cap
Referring to a specific fashion item

(West, west, west)
Repetition of the word 'west', possibly representing a location

We don't share the same synonym fall back
We don't have the same understanding, step back

Been in it before internet had new acts
Been involved in the industry before the internet brought new artists

Mimicking radio's nemesis made me wack
Trying to imitate the rival of radio made my skills worse

My innocence limited the experience lacked
My lack of knowledge limited my experience

Ten of us with no tentative tactic that cracked
A group of us with no specific plan that succeeded

The mind of a literate writer but I did it in fact
Having the mentality of a skilled writer but actually doing it

You admitted it once I submitted it wrapped in plastic
You acknowledged it when I presented it in a polished way

Remember scribblin' scratchin' diligent sentences backwards
Remember writing diligently, even in a reversed manner

Visiting freestyle cyphers for your reaction
Going to freestyle rap sessions to see how you would respond

Now I can live in a stadium, pack it the fastest
Now I can have a successful career and fill stadiums with fans

Gambling Benjamin benefits, sinning in traffic
Taking risks for financial gain, making mistakes in the process

Spinning women in cartwheels, linen fabric on fashion
Flirting with women, showing off stylish outfits

Winning in every decision
Succeeding in every choice made

Kendrick is master that mastered it
Kendrick is a skilled artist who has perfected his craft

Isn't it lovely how menace has turned attraction?
Isn't it interesting how negativity has become appealing?

Pivoting rappers, finish your fraction while writing blue magic
Changing directions as rappers, complete your share while creating impactful music

Thank God for rap, I would say it got me a plaque
Being grateful for rap music, which brought recognition

But what's better than that?
What is more valuable than that?

The fact it brought me back home
The fact that rap music brought me back to my roots

We been waiting' for you
We have been eagerly anticipating your return

I know everything, I know everything, know myself
I have deep knowledge and understanding of various aspects, including my own self

I know morality, spirituality, good and bad health
I am aware of moral values, spiritual beliefs, and the concept of well-being

I know fatality might haunt you
I am aware that death can be a disturbing presence in your life

I know Compton
I understand the experiences and culture of Compton

I know street shit, I know shit that's conscious, I know everything
I have knowledge of both street-related topics and conscious subjects

I know lawyers, advertisement their sponsors
I am familiar with lawyers and the corporations they represent

I know wisdom, I know bad religion, I know good karma
I have understanding of wisdom, misguided religious beliefs, and the concept of positive actions and consequences

I know history
I have knowledge of past events

I know the universe works mentally
I understand that the universe operates based on thoughts and mentality

I know the perks of bullshit isn't meant for me
I know that indulging in meaningless things is not suitable for me

I know cars, clothes, hoes and money
I am knowledgeable about material possessions and women

I know loyalty, I know respect, I know those that's Ornery
I am acquainted with the concepts of loyalty, respect, and those who are stubborn

I know everything, the highs, the lows, the groupies, the junkies
I have familiarity with the various aspects of fame and its effects

I know if I'm generous at heart, I don't need recognition
I understand that true generosity does not require acknowledgement

The way I'm rewarded, well, that's God's decision
The manner in which I am rewarded is ultimately determined by a higher power

I know you know that line's from the Compton School District
I know that you are aware that this line refers to the Compton School District

Just give it to the kids, don't gossip about how it was distributed
Just give the knowledge to the children, don't spread rumors about how it was shared

I know how people work, I know the price of life
I understand human behavior, and I know the value of life

I know how much it's worth, I know what I know and I know it well
I am aware of its significance, and I am confident in my knowledge

Not to ever forget until I realized I didn't know shit
To always remember until I realized that my knowledge was limited

The day I came home
The day I returned to my true self

I met a little boy that resembled my features
I encountered a young boy who looked like me

Nappy afro, gap in his smile
The boy had curly hair and a gap between his teeth

Hand me down sneakers bounced through the crowd
Wearing second-hand sneakers, he moved energetically through the crowd

Run a number on man and woman that crossed him
He had a negative impact on anyone who crossed his path

Sun beamin' on his beady beads exhausted
The sun shining on his shiny beads, feeling tired

Tossin' footballs with his ashy black ankles
Playfully throwing footballs with his dry and dark ankles

Breakin' new laws mama passed on home trainin'
Breaking rules that his mother taught him at home

He looked at me and said Kendrick you do know my language
He stared at me and implied that I understand his experiences

You just forgot because of what public schools had painted
You simply forgot due to the influence of public education

Oh I forgot, don't kill my vibe, that's right you're famous
Oh, I forgot, don't ruin my positive energy, that's right, you're a well-known celebrity

I used to watch on Channel 5, TV was takin'
I used to watch you on a local television channel, television was consuming

But never mind you're here right now don't you mistake it
But never mind, you're present in this moment, don't misunderstand

It's just a new trip, take a glimpse at your family's ancestor
It's just a new journey, look back at your family's history

Make a new list, of everything you thought was progress
Create a new list of things that you considered as advancements

And that was bullshit, I mean your life is full of turmoil
And that was nonsense, I mean your life is filled with struggles

You spoiled by fantasies of who you are
You have been influenced by unrealistic ideas of your identity

I feel bad for you
I empathize with you

I can attempt to enlighten you without frightenin' you
I can try to educate you without scaring you

If you resist, I'll back off quick, go catch a flight or two
If you resist, I'll quickly retreat and go travel elsewhere

But if you pick, destiny over rest in peace
But if you choose your future over death

Then be an advocate, go tell your homies, especially
Then become a representative, go inform your friends, especially

To come back home
To return to their origins

This is a world premiere
This is the first presentation of something to the world

I been lookin' for you my whole life, an appetite
I have been searching for you my entire life, a strong desire

For the feeling I can barely describe, where you reside?
For a feeling that is difficult to explain, where does it come from?

Is it in a woman, is it in money, or mankind?
Is it found in a woman, money, or humanity?

Tell me something, got me losing my mind, ah!
Tell me something that is driving me crazy

You make me wanna jump
You make me want to leap

Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump
Repeatedly jumping

(let's talk about love, let's talk about love)
A suggestion to discuss love

I say where you at? From the front to the back
Asking where you are, from the front to the back

I'm lookin' for you I react, only when you react
I am searching for you, and I respond only when you respond

I thought I found you back in the ghetto
I believed I had found you in the impoverished neighborhood

When I was seventeen with the .38 special
When I was seventeen with a .38 special handgun

Maybe you're in a dollar bill, maybe you're not real
Perhaps you are found in money, or maybe you are not tangible

Maybe only the wealthy get to know how you feel
Maybe only the rich understand your true essence

Maybe I'm paranoid, ha, maybe I don't need you anyway
Maybe I am overly suspicious, or maybe I don't actually need you

Don't lie to me, I'm suicidal anyway
Don't deceive me, I feel self-destructive regardless

I can be your advocate
I can be your representative

I can preach for you if you tell me what the matter is
I can speak on your behalf if you explain the issue