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.
Sail
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh
Ooh-ooh (sail)
Ooh, ooh
Ooh
Ooh-ooh (sail)
Ooh, ooh
Ooh
This is how I show my love
I made it in my mind because
Blame it on my ADD baby
This is how an angel dies
Blame it on my own sick pride
Blame it on my ADD baby
Sail, sail
Sail, sail, sail
Sail, sail
Sail (uh-huh)
Kendrick Lamar
Look in the (sail) mirror and nothing's familiar, I stare
I look in the mirror and nothing's familiar, I dare
For you to say that you're familiar with character which this I have
Mental is riding a big yellow cab
Telling the driver to press on the gas
Yell at them 'til I get there
You could just love me and leave me alone
I'm warning you though if you love me you never go wrong
We can explore heavy feelings of breathing mother nature's air
Feelings of knowing I'm rather rare
But there's a reason for all of my madness
The gladness I am that you're here
Sail, sail
Sail, sail, sail
Uh, this is how I show my love
Let my soul sail 'fore I'm washed up
Gotta drop down, thank God above
That I'm high enough to give the sky a touch, uh
Maybe it's my ADD. I'm on the move like a real estate agency (uh)
Century 21, 21st Century
Bare the birth of my history, there can only be one
Uh, this how I show my love
Let my soul sail like Miss Aiko
Sacrifice my life just to free the people, the Jesus sequel
Uh, so many admire us 'cause they can't see through our iris's (yeah)
I got an eye for her (yeah), I got an eye for her (yeah)
I got three eyes, I need three brides (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Sail, sail
Sail, sail, sail
La la la la la, la la la la la, ohh (ohh, ooh-ohh)
La la la la la, la la la la la, ohh
La la la la la, la la la la
Sail, sail
Sail, sail
The lyrics of Kendrick Lamar's song Sail are a journey through the inner workings of his mind. Lamar starts off by saying, “this is how I show my love,” suggesting that he is unconventional in expressing his feelings, and then goes on to blame his actions on his “A.D.D. baby.” This is a reference to his Attention Deficit Disorder, which he uses as an excuse for his erratic behavior. Lamar then talks about how an angel cries, which he blames on his own sick pride. Finally, he ends the song by repeating the word sail, which could be interpreted as a call to action or a visual representation of his desire to escape.
The chorus of Sail, which is repeated several times throughout the song, creates a sense of urgency and restlessness. It almost feels like a battle cry, as if the singer is ready to take on the world, but also struggling to find his place in it.
Lamar's verse in the song is a stream of consciousness that seems to be a mix of introspection and defiance. He talks about how he looks in the mirror and doesn't recognize himself, and then challenges the listener to claim that they know him better than he knows himself. He then speaks about how he is on the move, always going forward like a real estate agency, which suggests that he may be running away from something or constantly searching for something beyond his reach. Finally, he talks about his desire to find love, which he compares to the idea of having three brides.
Overall, the lyrics of Sail are a complicated mix of vulnerability and bravado, as Lamar struggles to find his place in the world while also asserting his presence and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Sail
Kendrick Lamar is emphasizing the title of the song
Sail
Reemphasizing the title, indicating that it is a recurring theme throughout the song
This is how I show my love
Kendrick is explaining that this song serves as his expression of love
I made it in my mind because
The love he is referring to is an imaginary concept created in his mind
I blame it on my A.D.D. baby
Kendrick blames his imaginary love on his attention deficit disorder, potentially signifying that it is difficult for him to express emotions organically
This is how an angel cries
Kendrick is comparing the way he shows love to how an angel would cry
I blame it on my own sick pride
He is acknowledging that his pride is affecting his ability to express love genuinely
Uh huh, Kendrick Lamar (Sail)
Kendrick is reintroducing himself and the song again
I look in the mirror and nothing's familiar I stare
Kendrick is describing a moment of personal introspection, where he is struggling to recognize himself
I look in the mirror and nothing's familiar I dare
He dares someone to say they are familiar with him, implying that true understanding of his character is difficult to come by
For you to say that you're familiar with character which this I have
Elaborating on the idea that true understanding of his character is difficult for others to possess
Mental is riding a big yellow cab
Kendrick implies that his mind is like a taxi driver, taking him in different directions and places
Telling the driver to press on the gas
Through this metaphor, Kendrick is indicating that he is constantly pushing forward and changing directions
Yell at them until I get there
Here, Kendrick is indicating that he is forceful and demanding when trying to gain control of his mental state
You could just love me and leave me alone
Kendrick is indicating that the complexities of his character make it difficult for him to truly connect with others
I'm warning you though if you love me you never go wrong
Kendrick is suggesting that even though he may be difficult to understand, loving him is ultimately worthwhile
We can explore heavy feelings of breathing mother nature's air
Kendrick is suggesting that a way to connect with him is to share spiritual experiences with him
Feelings of knowing I'm rather rare
Kendrick understands that his uniqueness makes it difficult for others to understand him
But there's a reason for all of my madness the gladness I am that you're here
Despite the fact that others may not understand him, Kendrick is grateful for the people in his life who try to understand him
This is how I show my love
Once again, Kendrick is emphasizing that this song is his way of expressing love
Let my soul sail before I'm washed up
The idea of his soul sailing represents his desire to leave a legacy before he passes away
Gotta drop down thank God above that I'm high enough to give the sky a touch (uh)
Kendrick is expressing gratitude for his own talents and abilities, which he believes elevate him above others
Maybe it's my A.D.D. I'm on the move like a real estate agency
Kendrick is using his ADHD as an explanation for his frenzied pace and drive to constantly move and progress
Century 21, 21st Century bare the birth of my history there can only be one (uh)
Here, Kendrick is establishing himself as a unique product of his time, with a story that is not replicable by anyone else
This how I show my love
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing that this is the central theme of the song
Let my soul sail like Miss Aiko
A reference to Jhené Aiko, a singer-songwriter known for her soulful, spiritual music
Sacrifice my life just to free the people the Jesus sequel (uh)
Here, Kendrick is speaking to his desire to make music that can help heal and uplift others, using Jesus as an example of self-sacrifice for a greater good
So many admire us 'cause they can't see through our iris's
Kendrick is acknowledging that many people see him and other celebrities as idols, but do not understand the complexity of their personalities and emotions
I got an eye for her, I got an eye for her, I got three eyes
Here, he is using a metaphor of having three eyes to describe his different perspectives and angles that he can view things from
I need three brides
Kendrick is referencing his spiritual beliefs in the Nation of Islam, where having multiple wives is acceptable
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aaron Richard Bruno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnduran2296
Love this song good to listen to while driving to the beach or street racing
@vqh
this remix never gets old
@nathanevans4030
Then how is it stuck in 2013?
@XxG0R3SK8TERxX
+nathan evans im in 2015
@nathanevans4030
Alien Cultist You and I are in 2015... but this song is still in 2013.
@OpTicNation213Channel
+nathan evans + me ^-^
@nathanevans4030
ThemShadowPepes You are in 2013?
@misterlotus7497
This has been my hype song for years. I really need a true studio quality version of this song though.
@ivanpalomares4880
this song gives me the chills
@robertyoung2970
this is still the best song ever made hands down💪🔥💯👽