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.
My Mind Drifts
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the middle of a spliff
I begin to catapult off
The cliff of the unknown
I got a feeling in my funny
Bone that we're not the same
Just antonyms of another age
My soul flock with the carefree
I spoke a hundred times like a gold D
Haha LMFAO
I hate y'all but I spread love like mayo
Then spread slugs
My brain matter is a brain phantom
See my vision, or my vision'll stare at ya
This is the future if I say so
You copping fitted caps
I'm about to go and cop a halo
The God of rap and I mean it
And I play football with Mars
And marbles with Pluto and Venus
Witness the genius
I interact with the inner city villains
That enters your system like a computer hack
Then give you dap
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's "My Mind Drifts" depict the rapper's stream of consciousness as he contemplates the differences between himself and others. He describes his mind as being split, comparing it to the middle of a spliff (a type of marijuana cigarette). He then launches into a metaphorical freefall off the "cliff of the unknown," reflecting on the feeling that he and others are "antonyms of another age."
Lamar's language is rich with wordplay, nodding to his influences as well as his own cleverness. He mentions his "soul flock" with the "carefree words of the wise," evoking a combination of spiritualism and poeticism. He then makes a reference to the comedy group LMFAO (known for their hit song "Party Rock Anthem"), before switching to a darker tone, saying that he "hate[s]" some people but still spreads love.
As the lyrics continue, Lamar's metaphysical musings become more fantastical. He describes his "brain matter" as a "brain phantom," before declaring himself the "God of rap" who can play "football with Mars / And marbles with Pluto and Venus." The final lines bring him back down to Earth, as he speaks about interacting with "inner city villains" who "enter your system like a computer hack" but still offer him "dap" (a gesture of respect or greeting).
Overall, "My Mind Drifts" showcases Kendrick Lamar's intricate wordplay and ability to mix metaphysical concepts with grounded observations about life in the inner city. The song's stream-of-consciousness structure allows him to flow freely between different emotions and ideas, ultimately creating a portrait of himself as someone who is both deeply introspective and in touch with the world around him.
Line by Line Meaning
As my mind drift and then split
My thoughts are wandering and diverging
Like the middle of a spliff
Similar to the separation of two halves of a marijuana cigarette
I begin to catapult off
I start to launch into uncharted territory
The cliff of the unknown
Into the abyss of the unknown
I got a feeling in my funny
I have a sense of intuition that is unique
Bone that we're not the same
We are not alike
Just antonyms of another age
Opposing terms from a different period in time
My soul flock with the carefree
My spirit is at ease and unburdened
Words of the wise
The wisdom of the elders
I spoke a hundred times like a gold D
I have voiced my opinions fervently and repeatedly
Haha LMFAO
An expression of laughter
I hate y'all but I spread love like mayo
Although I dislike some individuals, I still promote positivity
Then spread slugs
But if needed, I can be cruel
My brain matter is a brain phantom
My thoughts are surreal and detached from reality
See my vision, or my vision'll stare at ya
Either understand and appreciate my perspective or be left behind
This is the future if I say so
My ideas and visions represent the future
You copping fitted caps
You are focused on mundane things
I'm about to go and cop a halo
I am striving for spiritual enlightenment
The God of rap and I mean it
I am the greatest rapper and I am confident in that fact
And I play football with Mars
I engage in extraordinary activities
And marbles with Pluto and Venus
I interact with entities and beings from celestial planes
Witness the genius
Observe my exceptional talent and skills
I interact with the inner city villains
I have dealings with those from dangerous and violent urban environments
That enters your system like a computer hack
They have a major impact on your life, like a computer virus
Then give you dap
And yet, I still show them respect and regard
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eagles562
As my mind drift and then split
Like the middle of a spliff, I begin to catapult off
The cliff of the unknown
I got a feeling in my funny bone that we're not the same
Just antonyms of another age
My soul flock with the carefree
Words of the wise, I spoke a hundred times like a gold D
Haha LMFAO
I hate y'all but I spread love like mayo
Then spread slugs
My brain matter is a brain Phantom
See, my vision on my vision will stare at ya
This is the future if I say so, you copping fitted caps
I'm about to go and cop a halo
The God of rap and I mean it, and I play football with Mars
And marbles with Pluto and Venus
Witness the genius, I interact with the inner city villains
That enters your system like a computer hack
Then give you dap
@fsteele1755
This song takes me back to being a kid in high school. Conversations at the lunch table about who street some of the dopest cats in the game rn lmaoo. And these Kdot bars were fucking brazy! Even back then you could here how gifted he was and still is!
@eagles562
As my mind drift and then split
Like the middle of a spliff, I begin to catapult off
The cliff of the unknown
I got a feeling in my funny bone that we're not the same
Just antonyms of another age
My soul flock with the carefree
Words of the wise, I spoke a hundred times like a gold D
Haha LMFAO
I hate y'all but I spread love like mayo
Then spread slugs
My brain matter is a brain Phantom
See, my vision on my vision will stare at ya
This is the future if I say so, you copping fitted caps
I'm about to go and cop a halo
The God of rap and I mean it, and I play football with Mars
And marbles with Pluto and Venus
Witness the genius, I interact with the inner city villains
That enters your system like a computer hack
Then give you dap
@stacktana3646
11/10
@danielquiroz6658
2023 still here. Wassup fam! Hip hop never dies
@Fruit_Punch123
Been listening to this song since i was in like 6th grade, im in college now, the craziest part is that kendrick announced his departure for tde, k.dot forever.
@danielquiroz6658
2019, I’m still here baby since 2011 🤘🏽
@manuelimpoco4962
Thanks God for Kendrick
@Lowshyne
I still love Kendrick’s earlier music than his newer stuff
@dominikgrzelak4054
Darondo - Sure Know How To Love
@MRSOLO2ify
So many memories man