Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper. Regard… Read Full Bio ↴Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper. Regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation, and one of the greatest rappers of all time, he was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to receive the honor.

Born in Compton, California, Lamar began releasing music under the stage name K.Dot while attending high school. He signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005, and co-founded the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy there. Following the 2011 release of his alternative rap debut album Section.80, Lamar secured a joint contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. He rose to fame with his gangsta rap-influenced second album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), which became the longest-charting hip hop studio album in Billboard 200's chart history. In 2015, Lamar scored his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, after featuring on the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood", and released his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which infused hip-hop with historical African-American music genres such as jazz, funk, and soul, and became his first of five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart.

Lamar's critical and commercial success continued with his R&B and pop-leaning fourth album Damn (2017), yielding his second US number-one single, "Humble". He curated original songs for the soundtrack of the 2018 film Black Panther, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the US top-ten single "All the Stars". Lamar's 2022 double album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concluded his tenure with TDE and Aftermath. His feud with Drake and subsequent sixth album GNX (2024) spawned the Hot 100 number-ones "Like That" and "Squabble Up", as well as "Not Like Us", which became the most-awarded song in the Grammy Awards history, with five wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Lamar has received various accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards (the third-most won by a rapper), a Primetime Emmy Award, a Brit Award, 4 American Music Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards (including 2 Video of the Year wins), and a record 37 BET Hip Hop Awards. Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Three of his works were included in Rolling Stone's 2020 revision of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Outside of music, Lamar co-founded the creative company PGLang and ventured into film with his longtime creative partner, Dave Free.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples. Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother. Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth). His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem. He considered studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.

Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives. One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and Dr. Dre film the second music video for their single "California Love" with his father at the Compton Swap Meet. Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views. Although some publications have regarded him as the Shakur of his generation, he has strived to maintain his individuality.

Lamar maintains a low public profile, and is known to be reserved. He is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media. He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality. According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it." His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.

Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with. Although some journalists declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake, some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation. Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah". Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions, causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex. However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop. "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good bridge," he explained to Zane Lowe. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have".

In November 2024, Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX, marking his first project after departing from Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment. The album features collaborations with artists such as SZA, Roddy Ricch, and emerging Los Angeles rappers, and includes production contributions from Jack Antonoff. GNX blends elements reminiscent of his previous works, combining mainstream appeal with complex themes, and introduces new influences like the West Coast club sound. The album's release intensified Lamar's ongoing feud with Drake, particularly with the track "Not Like Us," which became a massive hit and won multiple Grammy awards. Following his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025, GNX returned to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying Lamar's status as a dominant force in contemporary hip-hop.

Now or Never
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We on?
A'ight
One, two, three, go!

Waking up in a dream
Sleepwalking on another big stage
You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream
Your name in unison, I'm so far away

From the place I used to be, struggling usually
Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
I can feel the energy in the air
It feel like I'm supposed to be here

Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love
Fans, the stars, everyone
Sayin' how they can't wait for the LP
And I'm gonna blow, hey believe in me
Feel so good in what you do
Helps somebody else get through
That's why I do the best I can
Because I know how blessed I am

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

A fool if I take it all for granted
A smart man if I keep my feet planted
To the earth 'cause the people that hurt can understand it
You speakin' outlandish
I'ma show you how to make it all work
Another planet, it's a short term goal for me

A record sold for me
It's just more of me in your ear
For you to hear Kendrick persevere
Defenses I feel relentless
Ambition with a clear vision
Takin' off I ain't takin' off these Pistons
I'm takin' off on the inner me, you're distance
Came across me, how much it'a cost me
To get you out my business
I said a planet is a short term goal, no sky is the limit
I'm past that, now pass that
Award, not one but four
Times two plus yours

I see myself performing there (K.dot)
Sold out shows where the room is packed
Sitting at the Grammy's winning five awards
See myself on big billboards
Traveling around the world with endorsement deals
Can't imagine how it feels
That's why I'm smiling everyday
Because my dream ain't far away

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

You looking at me and you tell me I'm blessed
Calculated my steps, my heart, my breath
Breathe in lungs of a victory and vividly
You see me when at my best, my worst
This verse dedicated to the days that I slept
With a curse research my paid dues I'm reimbursed
I burst in the crowd with a voice and a crown
I'm a King on the prowl and I see mama smile
And I vow on the tape that I'll never break
You can break bread with me now
We can all take a bow on the edge of the pedestal
Then scream out loud that we made it off the avenue
And walked that mile
In the darkness I often sit back
And get lost in the rap that I wrote
When you told me that it spoke to your soul
I was talking to you
I was walking it through every ghetto
Tell success hello, we here

And I'm so happy I cry
'Cause I can't believe
All the things I ever wanted
Are finally happening for me
And it's so surreal
That I almost feel
That any minute I can wake up
From this fantasy
When you pray so hard
And you've come so far
And you know that it's the time for you to lift your bar
And I'm gonna do it, watch me!

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kendrick Lamar's "Now or Never" are all about his pursuit of success and the difficulties he encountered along the way. In the opening lines, he describes waking up in a dream and feeling like he's sleepwalking through life, always performing on big stages but feeling so far away from the person he used to be. Despite these challenges, Kendrick Lamar remains confident that he's on the right path and that he's meant to be here.

Along the way, Kendrick has encountered plenty of love and support from fans, other artists, and even stars. People are excited to see what he will do next and are eagerly anticipating his upcoming album. Kendrick acknowledges that he's been blessed and recognizes the importance of doing the best he can to help others. He also recognizes that he can't take anything for granted and must remain focused and grounded.

Despite the obstacles he's faced, Kendrick is determined to reach his goals and is prepared to work as hard as it takes to make them a reality. He sees himself performing to sold-out crowds, winning awards, and traveling the world with lucrative endorsement deals. His dreams are becoming reality, and he's overjoyed that he's finally made it this far. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of hard work and perseverance in the pursuit of one's dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

Waking up in a dream
Starting to realize his aspirations have become reality

Sleepwalking on another big stage
Feels like he is living in a dream

You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream
The joy and energy of the crowd silences his worries

Your name in unison, I'm so far away
Feels like he is experiencing something bigger than himself

From the place I used to be, struggling usually
Reflecting on how far he has come from his past struggles

Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
Recognizing his growth and believing in destiny

I can feel the energy in the air
The electricity of the moment is palpable

Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love
Feeling appreciated by fans and colleagues

Fans, the stars, everyone
Receiving adoration from people at all levels of fame

Sayin' how they can't wait for the LP
Anticipation for his next album is high

And I'm gonna blow, hey believe in me
Confident in his abilities and the support of his fans

Feel so good in what you do
Loving his craft and the positive impact it has

Helps somebody else get through
Acknowledging the motivational impact his art can have

That's why I do the best I can
Motivated by his fans and personal fulfillment

Because I know how blessed I am
Recognizing his good fortune and opportunities

A fool if I take it all for granted
Acknowledging the importance of staying humble

A smart man if I keep my feet planted
Being grounded is wise and helps maintain authenticity

To the earth 'cause the people that hurt can understand it
Staying relatable to those who may not share his same experiences

You speakin' outlandish
Calling out those who have unrealistic expectations

I'ma show you how to make it all work
Confident in his ability to succeed despite obstacles

Another planet, it's a short term goal for me
Having loftier aspirations beyond conventional success

A record sold for me
Viewing record sales as merely a step towards greater success

It's just more of me in your ear
Believing that his music has a positive influence on listeners

For you to hear Kendrick persevere
Using his experiences to inspire others to persevere

Defenses I feel relentless
Unfazed by obstacles and challenges

Ambition with a clear vision
Striving towards a specific goal with determination

Takin' off I ain't takin' off these Pistons
Continuing to work hard even when success is achieved

I'm takin' off on the inner me, you're distance
Growth and progress are inner and personal achievements

Came across me, how much it'a cost me
Gaining success has required significant effort and sacrifice

To get you out my business
Determined to succeed regardless of naysayers or detractors

I said a planet is a short term goal, no sky is the limit
Believing that there are endless opportunities and possibilities for personal growth and success

I'm past that, now pass that
Moving beyond conventional goals and expectations

Award, not one but four
Already having achieved significant recognition and success

Times two plus yours
Believing that even greater success is yet to come

I see myself performing there, (K.dot)
Envisioning future success and achievement

Sold out shows where the room is packed
Envisioning success and popularity

Sitting at the Grammy's winning five awards
Fantasizing about achieving the highest honors in his field

See myself on big billboards
Envisioning his name and face on prominent advertising

Traveling around the world with endorsement deals
Anticipating worldwide success and lucrative partnerships

Can't imagine how it feels
Underscoring the magnitude of the success he envisions

That's why I'm smiling everyday
Anticipating future success and fulfillment

Because my dream ain't far away
Believing that his aspirations are within reach

You looking at me and you tell me I'm blessed
Others recognizing and appreciating his good fortune

Calculated my steps, my heart, my breath
Acknowledging the hard work and dedication required for success

Breathe in lungs of a victory and vividly
Feeling triumphant and accomplished

You see me when at my best, my worst
Recognizing that success is not achieved in a vacuum

This verse dedicated to the days that I slept
Paying homage to the hard work and struggles that paved the way for success

With a curse research my paid dues I'm reimbursed
Viewing hardships as a necessary investment for success

I burst in the crowd with a voice and a crown
Taking control of his destiny and recognizing his power

I'm a King on the prowl and I see mama smile
Achieving success and making loved ones proud

And I vow on the tape that I'll never break
Committed to staying true to himself and his vision

You can break bread with me now
Inviting others to share in his success and accomplishments

We can all take a bow on the edge of the pedestal
Sharing success with those who helped and supported him

Then scream out loud that we made it off the avenue
Celebrating the journey and the obstacles overcome

And walked that mile
Reflecting on the hard work and determination required for success

In the darkness I often sit back
Reflecting on the journey and its impact

And get lost in the rap that I wrote
Finding personal fulfillment in his craft and journey

When you told me that it spoke to your soul
Feeling gratified by the impact of his music on others

I was talking to you
Using his music as a means of connection and communication

I was walking it through every ghetto
Using his experiences to inspire and motivate others

Tell success hello, we here
Celebrating his achievements and success

And I'm so happy I cry
Grateful and overwhelmed by his success

'Cause I can't believe
Recognizing the magnitude of his success

All the things I ever wanted
Realizing that his hard work and aspirations paid off

Are finally happening for me
Celebrating the realization of his dreams and aspirations

And it's so surreal
Understandably shocked by his success

That I almost feel
Pinning his success as a dream or fantasy

That any minute I can wake up
Worried that his success is only temporary

From this fantasy
Acknowledging the unbelievable nature of his success

When you pray so hard
Reflecting on his journey and hard work

And you've come so far
Recognizing the progress he has made towards achieving his goals

And you know that it's the time for you to lift your bar
Motivated to continue pushing towards greater success and achievement

And I'm gonna do it, watch me!
Confident in his ability to achieve his goals and chart his own path

I'm so high I can touch the sky
Feeling on top of the world

And it's now or never
Emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment

I shine so bright I light the night
Celebrating his success and the brightness it brings

And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
Feeling fulfilled and satisfied with his success

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Matthew Kahane, Jazmine Sullivan, Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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