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.
Poe Mans Dreams
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to want to see the penitentiary
Way after elementary
Thought it was cool to look the judge
In the face when he sentenced me
Since my uncles was institutionalized
My intuition has said I was suited for family ties
I need me a weapon, these niggas ride
Every minute, hour and second, ministers tried
To save me, how I'm gonna listen
When I don't even hear God?
Heaven or Hell, base it all on my instincts
My hands dirty, you worried bout mud in your sink
You like to mistake a street nigga for real nigga
The same nigga that killed with ya, squealed with ya
I deal with ya like my son
Stare at the sun and you'll be lookin'
In my eyes homie stand for something
Or fall for anything, and you working
With two left feet at the skating rink
But anyway, this for my niggas
Uncles, 23 hours sending me pictures
I want you to know that I'm so determined
To blow, that you hear the music
I wrote, hope it get you off Death Row
You came home to a pocket full of stones
A Metro PC phone, then you went back in
So when I touch the pen, the Pen is in
My view, I'mma get it right, just so you
Smoke good, eat good, live good
And I do this for the city
Got some Hennessey and my real
Niggas with me
Fuck the police, they gonna have
To come and get me
If it feel good to you
Holler if you hear me
You like to mistake a street nigga for a real nigga
That same nigga that kill with ya, will squeal with ya
I'd like to start it out from the bottom and build with ya
Be on my last dollar and split the bill with ya
I'm 23 with morals and plans of living cordial
Not rich, but wealthy
There's nothing you can tell me
My killings are not remorseful
The city got my back, and for that, I give them my torso
You think about it, and don't call me lyrical
Cause really I'm just a nigga that's evil and spiritual
I know some rappers using big words
To make their similes curve
My simplest shit be more pivotal
I penetrate the hearts of good kids and criminals
Worry some individuals that live life critical
So won't you bare witness while I bare feet
So you can walk in my shoes and get to know me
But anyway, this for my pops
On his lunch break, eating in the parking lot
On 'Wanna Be Heard,' probably thought he worked my nerves
But really he was stressing me, getting what I deserved
Somebody said my name on the radio
He ain't know I was ready for
The world that minute
So the next time he roll up
And drop grams in it, he'll probably be
Out of work, laid back, while he
Smoke good, eat good, live good
And I do this for the city
Got some Hennessey and my real
Niggas with me
Fuck the police, they gonna have
To come and get me
If it feel good to you
Holler if you hear me
Church is definitely on the move and now we
Took it up to the cathedral cause the ism is enormous
You know what I'm talkin' about?
We out here rotating under the five p's, proper
Preparation prevents poor performance
Know what I'm talkin' about?
Doin' my thing, cause I'm rotatin' when my
Speakers thumpin' from the windy city streets
All the way out here to the streets of Compton
Know what I'm talkin' about?
Church is definitely on the move and we gonna
Continue to hustle and grow and develop by
Fire, as I rotate with my true player partner
By the name of Kendrick Lamar
You know what I'm talkin' about?
This is the ism this is the vision
You know what I'm talkin' about?
You gotta get up off your ass and get it, man
That's the only way your pockets gonna expand, I
Tell you everyday, you know what I'm talkin' about
Apply yourself to supply your wealth, only
Limitations you'll ever have are those you
Place upon yourself church is definitely on
The move, you know what I'm talkin' about
Exercise your ism and don't depend on no one
Else, cathedral, church, ism
In "Poe Mans Dreams," Kendrick Lamar reflects on his past desires to live a life of crime and end up in the penitentiary. Despite this, he realizes his true calling lies in music and uses it as a means of expressing himself and providing for his family. He acknowledges the difficult choices he must make in the face of the dangerous lifestyle he grew up around, and the constant pressure to prove himself to those around him. Through this introspection, Kendrick emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and standing for something, even in the face of adversity. He urges his listeners to embrace their own struggles and ambitions, and to do what they can to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.
The lyrics of "Poe Mans Dreams" are set against a minimalist beat, featuring pianos and a simple drumline. The track incorporates samples from various classic soul songs, including David Ruffin's "I Miss You" and The Emotions' "I Like It." The song was produced by Willie B and mixed by Ali, both longtime collaborators of Kendrick's. The title references Edgar Allen Poe's poem "A Dream Within a Dream," in which the singer laments the impermanence of reality and the futility of trying to hold onto it. This theme is reflected in Kendrick's reflection on the hardships he's faced and the fleeting nature of his own ambitions.
Line by Line Meaning
Smoke good, eat good, live good
Live a comfortable, fulfilling life
I used to want to see the penitentiary
When I was young, I thought going to jail was cool
Way after elementary
Even after I finished elementary school
Thought it was cool to look the judge
I thought it was cool to defy authority, even in front of a judge
In the face when he sentenced me
I thought it was cool to show the judge disrespect when he told me my sentence
Since my uncles was institutionalized
Because my uncles were locked up
My intuition has said I was suited for family ties
I believed that being part of a gang or family would be my path in life because of my upbringing
My mama is stressing, my daddy tired
My mom is worried about me and my dad is worn out from working hard
I need me a weapon, these niggas ride
I feel like I need to protect myself from other people who may threaten me
Every minute, hour and second, ministers tried
Religious leaders have tried to keep me on the right path
To save me, how I'm gonna listen
But I struggle to listen to their advice
When I don't even hear God?
I don't even know if I believe in God or listen to his message
Heaven or Hell, base it all on my instincts
I feel like my fate will be determined by my own intuition and choices
My hands dirty, you worried bout mud in your sink
I have done bad things, while others are worried about minor issues
You like to mistake a street nigga for real nigga
People often confuse being from the streets with being authentic
The same nigga that killed with ya, squealed with ya
Someone who committed a crime with you may also betray you
I deal with ya like my son
But I treat those close to me like family
Stare at the sun and you'll be lookin'
If you stare at me for too long, you'll be blinded
In my eyes homie stand for something
I believe it's important for people to have strong beliefs and values
Or fall for anything, and you working
Otherwise, you'll be easily swayed and taken advantage of
With two left feet at the skating rink
You'll be lost, without direction, if you don't have your own sense of purpose
But anyway, this for my niggas
Anyway, this song is for my friends and family in similar situations
Uncles, 23 hours sending me pictures
Family members are sending me pictures despite being locked up 23 hours a day
I want you to know that I'm so determined
I want them to know that I'm working hard to succeed
To blow, that you hear the music
I want my music to be successful and reach a lot of people
I wrote, hope it get you off Death Row
I hope my music can help relieve some suffering for those locked up in prison
You came home to a pocket full of stones
When you were released, you had nothing but trouble waiting for you
A Metro PC phone, then you went back in
I only had a cheap phone for communication, and then you ended up back in jail
So when I touch the pen, the Pen is in
When I write, I feel like I'm in control of my life and my own destiny
My view, I'mma get it right, just so you
I want to prove myself and show my loved ones that I can succeed
And I do this for the city
I make music and succeed so that my hometown can be proud of me
Got some Hennessey and my real
I'm celebrating with my true friends and family
Niggas with me
People who are loyal to me
Fuck the police, they gonna have
I don't trust or respect the police
To come and get me
I won't cooperate with them or allow them to arrest me
If it feel good to you
If what I'm saying in my music resonates with you
Holler if you hear me
Let me know and show your support
Church is definitely on the move and now we
I'm active in my community and making a difference
Took it up to the cathedral cause the ism is enormous
I'm spreading my message to a larger audience
We out here rotating under the five p's, proper
We're working hard to follow the five keys to success
Preparation prevents poor performance
By preparing well, we can avoid making mistakes
Doin' my thing, cause I'm rotatin' when my
I'm doing what I need to do and staying busy
Speakers thumpin' from the windy city streets
My music is being played in the streets of my city
All the way out here to the streets of Compton
And even in other locations like Compton
This is the ism this is the vision
This is my philosophy and my plan for success
You gotta get up off your ass and get it, man
If you want to succeed, you have to work hard and make it happen
Apply yourself to supply your wealth, only
The only way to get rich is to work hard and make it happen
Limitations you'll ever have are those you
The only thing stopping you from achieving what you want is you
Place upon yourself church is definitely on
I'm making a difference and trying to help others
The move, you know what I'm talkin' about
And I hope my community understands and supports me
Exercise your ism and don't depend on no one
Believe in yourself and don't rely on anyone else for success
Else, cathedral, church, ism
I'm spreading my message and trying to make a difference
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, GREG LAWTIE-CAMPBELL, WILLIE BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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