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.
R.O.T.C
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I wanna say fuck rapping, I need money now
Like should I start trapping? If what I write down
Don't collect this very moment then I'm on it, no question
In the streets my niggas is well connected, let's see
Do I cop a pound of kush, Promethazine or push some E?
Oxycontin have me laying on soft cotton when I sleep?
I be in spots chopping the rocks like flintstone feet
This is me frustrated, battling my own evils
Finna saddle up that work, across Ohio in a Geo
Or should I sell my music .zip to buy your zip
And hope one day it flourish to a kilo, track record of a hustler
Rather records on the needle, making music
Clocking fast bank like a shot from Patrick Ewing
My nigga, what you doing on these corners with me?
"I thought you had a show?" Well ma nigga I guess I didn't
I'm tryna get this dough and easy money sounds tempting
Especially when your homies pushing V8 engines
Twenty-two on twenty-sixes, Range Rovers rolling up
Three-fifty for an ounce of fire, I hope I got enough
This industry calling my bluff, I need a new solution
Curve-serving, know I might be in your store boosting
2-11's with Mac-11's like fuck Hip Hop
Don't wanna be Pun, don't wanna be B.I.G., don't wanna be 'Pac
Just give me your funds, A.K.A. everything that you got
Or everything getting shot, for nothing
Leave you in shock, coughing up blood and mumbling
Watch, the plans of a young man sponsor
Moving grams like relocating your mom's momma
Then expand to the Hoover dam, water
Sherm, contraband, they yearn for the butt-naked
Fuck a verse, verses get let off in thirty minutes, six seconds
I disperse to the world of unruly, where I put the mic down
And pick up a sack and a toolie, if you knew me
You'll know I always had a passion for riddle when writing
But lately I've been thinking 'bout taking chances to brighten
My future financially, so please don't be mad at me
I gotta do what I gotta do, no shit
So I tell my nigga front me, let me put it on the strip
Then give it back when I think about the consequence, shit
There are times, when you need someone
I will be by your side
Oh darling, cause there is a light that shines
Special for you, and me yeah
I-take-I-take-take my chances-chances-chances
Before they pass, they pass, they pass
Pass me by, oh darling
You've got to look at the other side
R.O.T.C
Right on time conscience
In Kendrick Lamar's song R.O.T.C, he raps about the struggle between making money and staying true to his passion for music. In the first verse, he raps about contemplating giving up rapping for drug dealing to make quick cash. He goes on to discuss the temptation of easy money and the pressure to make it big in the music industry. Kendrick's frustration with his own internal battle between these two paths shines through in his lyrics. He feels caught between making money to support himself and his family and staying true to his love for music. Kendrick's story speaks to the struggle of many artists who face the pressure to make it big in the industry while also staying true to their artistic values.
The chorus of the song is a sample of a song by Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose called "Too Late to Turn Back Now." The song talks about taking chances and following your instinct, which in Kendrick's case, is his passion for music. He feels that he must take these chances to succeed financially while staying true to himself. Kendrick's journey, as described in R.O.T.C, showcases the difficulties of breaking into the music industry and finding success while maintaining integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I wanna say fuck rapping, I need money now
There are moments when I feel like abandoning rapping because I am desperate for money.
Like should I start trapping? If what I write down
I'm considering selling drugs instead of writing music, because writing does not bring immediate financial gain.
Don't collect this very moment then I'm on it, no question
If my rhymes don't fetch me instant money, I'll shift my attention to a profitable venture without hesitation.
In the streets my niggas is well connected, let's see
My friends in the street are well networked and can make lucrative arrangements if I get involved.
Do I cop a pound of kush, Promethazine or push some E?
I'm considering buying drugs like weed, cough syrup or ecstasy to push for profit.
Oxycontin have me laying on soft cotton when I sleep?
I'm debating using the drug oxycontin for personal comfort, even though it's a severe habit-forming drug.
This is deep as the abyss, I'm not just rhyming on the beat
These thoughts are not just lyrical lines, they are as dark as the depths of the deepest pit.
I be in spots chopping the rocks like flintstone feet
I go to places and chop drugs into smaller portions like the Flintstones split rocks with their feet.
This is me frustrated, battling my own evils
I'm struggling internally and experiencing a lot of frustration with my situation.
Finna saddle up that work, across Ohio in a Geo
I'm gearing up to buy drugs and transport them in a Geo (car), through Ohio.
Or should I sell my music .zip to buy your zip
I'm contemplating selling my music files for quick cash and using them to purchase drugs.
And hope one day it flourish to a kilo, track record of a hustler
I'm hoping that the small amount of drugs I buy increase in demand and sales to eventually expand to a kilo of product, like an experienced drug dealer.
Rather records on the needle, making music
I like making music more than dealing with drugs.
Clocking fast bank like a shot from Patrick Ewing
I want to make money quickly like a basketball player that scores rapidly, such as Patrick Ewing.
My nigga, what you doing on these corners with me?
Why are you spending time with me, engaging in shady activities in dangerous neighborhoods?
"I thought you had a show?" Well ma nigga I guess I didn't
I thought I had a performance, but I don't, so I'm trying to make money another way.
I'm tryna get this dough and easy money sounds tempting
I'm trying to increase my wealth and taking the risk for quick cash seems appealing.
Especially when your homies pushing V8 engines
This is especially true when my friends have fancy cars.
Twenty-two on twenty-sixes, Range Rovers rolling up
My associates have luxury SUVs (Range Rovers) with 22 inch rims (26 including the wheel size), making me feel like I'm missing out.
Three-fifty for an ounce of fire, I hope I got enough
I paid $350 for an ounce of high-quality marijuana, and I'm worried it might not be enough.
This industry calling my bluff, I need a new solution
I feel like the music industry is challenging my abilities, so I need to come up with a new plan.
Curve-serving, know I might be in your store boosting
I might be stealing from your store for kicks and quick cash, as I'm good at evading security cameras.
2-11's with Mac-11's like fuck Hip Hop
I'm willing to perform armed robberies with Mac-11 machine guns, even if it goes against the ethos of Hip Hop culture.
Don't wanna be Pun, don't wanna be B.I.G., don't wanna be 'Pac
I don't aspire to be like legendary Hip Hop artists like Big Punisher, The Notorious B.I.G., or Tupac.
Just give me your funds, A.K.A. everything that you got
Just hand over all your money to me, no matter how much you have on you.
Or everything getting shot, for nothing
I'm warning you that you could get shot and lose everything you have for not complying.
Leave you in shock, coughing up blood and mumbling
I'll leave you injured and shocked, coughing up blood and unable to speak correctly.
Watch, the plans of a young man sponsor
Observe the schemes of a young person who is trying to succeed with the help of influential friends.
Moving grams like relocating your mom's momma
I'm moving drugs around in such large quantities that it's like moving your grandmother to a new home.
Then expand to the Hoover dam, water
My drug operation could potentially grow to the size of the Hoover Dam, which generates electricity from water.
Sherm, contraband, they yearn for the butt-naked
Drug users want drugs that will completely numb their senses, whether it's weed laced with PCP or stolen goods.
Fuck a verse, verses get let off in thirty minutes, six seconds
I don't care about rapping anymore, I prefer using bullets instead of words.
I disperse to the world of unruly, where I put the mic down
I'm leaving the rap universe to inhabit the world of the unlawfully violent.
And pick up a sack and a toolie, if you knew me
Instead of a microphone, I'm choosing to pick up a gun and a bag of drugs. You'd know this is unexpected if you knew me personally.
You'll know I always had a passion for riddle when writing
I've always been fond of creating complex puzzles when composing lyrics.
But lately I've been thinking 'bout taking chances to brighten
Recently, I'm thinking about taking risks to brighten my economic prospects.
My future financially, so please don't be mad at me
I'm thinking about my financial future, so I hope you won't be upset with my decisions.
I gotta do what I gotta do, no shit
I must do what is necessary to survive, that's a fact.
So I tell my nigga front me, let me put it on the strip
I'll ask my friend for drugs on credit, so I can sell it in the street for quick cash.
Then give it back when I think about the consequence, shit
I'll pay back the debt later, when I have thought about the consequences.
There are times, when you need someone
Sometimes, you require assistance.
I will be by your side
I'll be with you through the tough times.
Oh darling, cause there is a light that shines
I'll always be a hopeful presence in your life.
Special for you, and me yeah
That light is something unique and shared only by you and me.
I-take-I-take-take my chances-chances-chances
I'm willing to roll the dice and take risks to make progress.
Before they pass, they pass, they pass
I don't want to miss opportunities by letting them slip away.
Pass me by, oh darling
I don't want to miss out on chances, so please don't let time pass me by.
You've got to look at the other side
We need to consider alternative approaches.
R.O.T.C
Right on time conscience
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, JAIRUS LEMUEL-JADA MOZEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SkeetWeezy
This shit helped me through high school frl
@jungshin87
one of the rare songs where Kendrick explicitly talks about his own life and journey. surprisingly, most of his songs are kept abstract or more thematic rather than specifics
@m.e.y.5790
Have you even listend to good kid maad city?? Almost the whole album is about him and his experiences
@harrison121a
@Mohammed E.Y. people just talk out they ass bro
@jungshin87
@M.E.Y. not as personal. he has never and will never reach the "personal" type feeling from this tape
@joeywalls5804
@jungshin87 nah open your ears homie.. sing about me killin this whole convo lol
@WyWid
@jungshin87 I don’t think you have the meaning of the word “personal” in the right meaning. I get what you mean through. This album is raw, before the fame and wealth, something that not even good kid m.A.A.d city can relate to
@hectormijailrosas4648
Love to come back to these songs that helped me when I was hesitant about life, when I barely understood english, when I had no shit, just God... Its been around 10-11 years since I first listened to this and somehow I could relate to it even tho I didnt understand english that well. Thank God for all the struggles that made me enjoy and find these songs that helped me... Thank God for our lives. God bless your heart! S/O from Mexico
@dreadboy5314
Love to you bro <#
@xkaxis
Somos dos amigo, increible lo fondo que toco mi corazon estas canciones, kendrick es un dios