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 (nรฉe 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 yourselfโnot 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.
The Recipe Bonus
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good times and get caked up, uh, sunshine coming through my blinds
Iโm living but, really though, itโs never enough
10 milli on, that's a must, living in California
Everybody wanna visit for (Women, weed and weather)
They come for (Women, weed and weather)
(For the women, weed and weather)
From all around the world for the (Women, weed and weather)These niggasโll kill for that, put it in your grill for that
Still everybody gotta build for that, me? I make mills off that
How the fuck canโt y'all see I ride, when I drive, down the block and
You look outside, H-A-T-E in your eyes, I enter big money for the enterprise
Itโs a beautiful day I guess for a bitch to roll with Andre I guess
Roll it up, baby come lift that dress then roll it up for me when Iโm stressed
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
Texas I be screwed up, Chi town I be really pimping
But nothing like my hometown Iโm forever living
Women, weed and weather
(They come for) women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
(From all around the world for the) women, weed and weather
Got that women, weed and weather
Don't it sound clever, come and play
What more can I say? Welcome to LA
My nigga said he wanna fly out to get him
Some, three W's only for a three day run, bitch
Take them motherfuckin' panties off, you ain't no nun, shit
I be living in the sky every time I ride by them hoes
Ribbon in the sky on the radio cause Stevie know I control
Let it breathe, I control, California living 'til I am old
You want to be one, to peak on the chartSo the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts
She in the coupe, she in the Neon cause she on the BS before we can start
Fuck with a nigga, ride with a nigga, let 'em know the priority order me
Hennessy and for my niggas OG Killa, call it Jason Voorhees
Boy he's on his job, boy he sure be having the marks on they mark
Pretty bitches and tire marks, let 'em inhale them pipe exhausts
Let 'em reveal how much it cost for this life controlling my vice
No way hell no, uh uh, if Iโm wrong I don't wanna be right
You want to be one, to peak on the chart
So the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts
Women, weed, weather, itโs not my fault
That it's 82 degrees and my top peeled off
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
Texas I be screwed up, Chi town I be really pimping
But nothing like my hometown Iโm forever living
Women, weed and weather
(They come for) women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
(From all around the world for the) women, weed and weather
Got that women, weed and weather
Don't it sound clever, come and play
What more can I say? Welcome to LA
Known for that homegrown where I come from
Smoke one, palm trees, double D's got 'em topless in the sun
I shall proceed, that's me, muthafuck your opinion
How many ways am I killing 'em? Shit, right around a billion
We on it, that mean we living for the moment
That mean sheโll fuck 'til the morning, time and I got time
And I know that Iโm in a position of controlling, anything by that ocean
I'm a boss Iโll buy that ocean, ain't nobody fucking with this
They want that shit, they often feind, I give it to โem, but in between
My time, I gotta tie shoestrings, lifeโs a trip when you want these things
I often slip and then I lean toward three W's in life
You know blow job need an application, eating pussy make appetite
And yeah my type, I like 'em brown, just like my drink, the fuck you think
I donโt fuck with no hand me downs, see if you fuck then it's after me
You know how much Iโmma make it work? You know her dress, slip it in her purse
When you discussed your love for lust, just make sure you visit here first, Cali
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
Texas I be screwed up, Chi town I be really pimping
But nothing like my hometown Iโm forever living
Women, weed and weather
(They come for) women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
(From all around the world for the) women, weed and weather
Got that women, weed and weather
Don't it sound clever, come and play
What more can I say? Welcome to LA
In โThe Recipe,โ Kendrick Lamar raps about the allure of living in California. He starts by talking about his daily routine, which includes waking up with money on his mind and the desire to make 10 million dollars. He notes that people come from all over the world to enjoy the Golden Stateโs women, weed, and weather, and acknowledges that some will kill for these pleasures. Throughout the verse, he emphasizes his financial success and how heโs made mills off of these sought-after elements of California living.
Despite his success, Kendrick recognizes that itโs never enough and that he still has to work hard to continue earning. He calls out those who hate on him and the jealousy that he receives for his fame and financial success. Still, he revels in the beautiful weather and insists that itโs a great day to be with a woman, particularly Andre 3000, with whom he collaborates on the song. In the second verse, Andre 3000 takes over, similarly praising the state and the fun he has when visiting. He highlights the many places he goes and the many women he encounters.
Overall, the song paints a picture of California as a place of endless opportunity and pleasure. The women, weed, and weather are key components of this vision, along with the money that comes with success in the state. While some may envy Kendrick for his situation, he sees it as the reward for his hard work and dedication to achieving his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Every morning when I wake up, uh, money on my mind
I wake up thinking about making more money
Good times and get caked up, uh, sunshine coming through my blinds
I enjoy making money and it makes me happy
Iโm living but, really though, itโs never enough
Even though Iโm successful and wealthy, Iโm always striving for more
10 milli on, that's a must, living in California
Having ten million dollars is a necessity to live in California
Everybody wanna visit for (Women, weed and weather)
People flock to California for the combination of attractive women, marijuana, and pleasant weather
They come for (Women, weed and weather)
People are drawn to California because of the appeal of women, weed, and weather
(For the women, weed and weather)
People visit California for the combination of attractive women, marijuana, and pleasant weather
From all around the world for the (Women, weed and weather)
People from all parts of the world come to California for attractive women, marijuana, and pleasant weather
These niggasโll kill for that, put it in your grill for that
Some people are willing to go to extremes to experience the combination of women, weed, and weather in California
Still everybody gotta build for that, me? I make mills off that
Despite the allure of California, people must still work hard for success there, while I make millions from it
How the fuck canโt y'all see I ride, when I drive, down the block and
Itโs evident to everyone that I am successful and wealthy based on the way I live
You look outside, H-A-T-E in your eyes, I enter big money for the enterprise
People who donโt have what I have are jealous and resentful towards me, while I continue to make large amounts of money for my business ventures
Itโs a beautiful day I guess for a bitch to roll with Andre I guess
Itโs a lovely day for me to hang out with my friend Andre
Roll it up, baby come lift that dress then roll it up for me when Iโm stressed
Smoke marijuana with me and have sex with me to relieve my stress
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
I might be seen in Atlanta looking successful and powerful
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
I enjoy partying in different cities such as New Orleans, Miami, and New York
Texas I be screwed up, Chi town I be really pimping
When Iโm in Texas I have a good time, while in Chicago I act like a pimp
But nothing like my hometown Iโm forever living
However, thereโs nothing like my hometown of California, where I plan to live forever
Got that women, weed and weather
Thereโs a combination of attractive women, marijuana, and pleasant weather in California
Don't it sound clever, come and play
Itโs a clever combination that people find attractive and inviting
What more can I say? Welcome to LA
Thereโs not much more to say except welcome to Los Angeles
My nigga said he wanna fly out to get him
My friend said he wants to fly out to buy some weed
Some, three W's only for a three day run, bitch
We only need three things for a three-day trip - women, weed, and weather
Take them motherfuckin' panties off, you ain't no nun, shit
Take off your panties, youโre not a prude
I be living in the sky every time I ride by them hoes
I feel superior to women when I drive by them in my luxurious car
Ribbon in the sky on the radio cause Stevie know I control
My music is playing on the radio and I have control over my career like Stevie Wonder
Let it breathe, I control, California living 'til I am old
I have control over my life and I plan to live in California until I am old
You want to be one, to peak on the chart
Everyone wants to be successful and reach the top of their industry
So the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts
Once you become successful, you leave behind those who were once inferior to you
She in the coupe, she in the Neon cause she on the BS before we can start
The woman is in my car but sheโs difficult and causing problems before we can begin anything
Fuck with a nigga, ride with a nigga, let 'em know the priority order me
Stick with me and let everyone know that I am the top priority
Hennessy and for my niggas OG Killa, call it Jason Voorhees
Iโm drinking Hennessy with my friends who are OGs, like Jason Voorhees from the horror movie 'Friday the 13th'
Boy he's on his job, boy he sure be having the marks on they mark
My friend is good at what he does and he leaves a lasting impression on everyone he interacts with
Pretty bitches and tire marks, let 'em inhale them pipe exhausts
Attractive women and the smell of burnt rubber from my carโs exhaust turns me on
Let 'em reveal how much it cost for this life controlling my vice
Let others see how much it costs to maintain my lifestyle that depends on my addictions
No way hell no, uh uh, if Iโm wrong I don't wanna be right
Iโm so confident in my life choices that I wouldnโt want to be right if Iโm proven wrong
Women, weed, weather, itโs not my fault
The combination of attractive women, marijuana, and pleasant weather is not something I control
That it's 82 degrees and my top peeled off
Itโs warm enough that I can drive my car with the top down
Known for that homegrown where I come from
The marijuana grown in California is famous
Smoke one, palm trees, double D's got 'em topless in the sun
Smoke marijuana with me and admire the palm trees and women with large breasts who are sunbathing topless
I shall proceed, that's me, muthafuck your opinion
I will continue to do what I want despite others' opinions
How many ways am I killing 'em? Shit, right around a billion
I am very successful at what I do and Iโm making a large amount of money
We on it, that mean we living for the moment
We are taking advantage of the opportunities in the present moment
That mean sheโll fuck 'til the morning, time and I got time
This means the woman will have sex with me until the morning and I have plenty of time to enjoy it
And I know that Iโm in a position of controlling, anything by that ocean
I am in control of anything that happens near the ocean in California
I'm a boss Iโll buy that ocean, ain't nobody fucking with this
Iโm so successful that I could afford to buy the ocean and no one can compete with me
They want that shit, they often feind, I give it to โem, but in between
People are addicted to my lifestyle and I provide it for them, however, there are moments of hardship in between my successes
My time, I gotta tie shoestrings, lifeโs a trip when you want these things
Even though Iโm successful, I still have to handle mundane tasks like tying my shoelaces, and life is difficult when you want to maintain a lavish lifestyle
I often slip and then I lean toward three W's in life
I have to make sacrifices and sometimes resort to the combination of women, weed, and weather to maintain my happiness
You know blow job need an application, eating pussy make appetite
Performing oral sex requires skill, and doing so on a woman can lead to arousal
And yeah my type, I like 'em brown, just like my drink, the fuck you think
My preference for women is brown-skinned, like my alcoholic drink
I donโt fuck with no hand me downs, see if you fuck then it's after me
I donโt associate with people who resort to secondhand items, and once you have sex with me, thereโs no going back to anyone else
You know her dress, slip it in her purse
You can take off the womanโs dress and put it in her purse for me
When you discussed your love for lust, just make sure you visit here first, Cali
Before you pursue your love for sexual desires, make sure you visit California first
Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, ELIJAH MOLINA, GABEL MULLEN D AMICO, UDBHAV GUPTA, ANDREA ESTELLA HERNANDEZ, ERIC MICHAEL CARDONA, BRYAN MATTHEW UJUETA, SYLVESTER JORDAN JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@youngmoney6150
Lyrics to The Recipe by Kendrick Lamar featuring Dr. Dre
[Intro: Kendrick Lamar]
(Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to)
[Verse 1: Dr. Dre & Kendrick Lamar]
Every morning when I wake up, uh
Money on my mind, good time to get caked up, uh
Sunshine coming through my blinds, I'm living, but
Really though, it's never enough, ten million, that's a must
Living in California, everybody wanna visit for
Women, weed and weather
They come for women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
From all around the world for the women, weed and weather
These niggas'll kill for that, put it in your grill for that
Still everybody gotta build for that, me? I make mills off that
How the fuck y'all can't see I ride, when I drive
Down the block and you look outside
H-A-T-E in your eyes, I enter big money for the enterprise
It's a beautiful day, I guess, for a bitch to roll with Andre, I guess
Roll it up, baby, come and lift that dress
Then roll it up for me when I'm stressed
[Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
Texas, I be screwed up, Chi-Town, I be really pimpin'
But nothing like my hometown, I'm forever livin'
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Dr. Dre]
Women, weed and weather
They come for women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
From all around the world for the women, weed and weather
Got that women, weed and weather
Don't it sound clever? Come and play
Wh-what more can I say? W-welcome to LA
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
Uhh, my nigga said he wanna fly out to get him some
Three W's only for a three-day run, bitch
Take them mothafuckin' panties off, you ain't no nun, shit
I be living in the sky every time I ride by them hoes
"Ribbon In The Sky" on the radio 'cause Stevie know I control
Let it breathe, I control, California living 'til I am old
You want to be on to peak on the charts
So the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts
She in the coupe, she in the Neon
'Cause she on the BS before we can start
Fuck with a nigga, ride with a nigga
Let 'em know I'm priority, order me
Hennessy and, for my niggas, OG Killa
Call it Jason Voorhees, boy, he's on his job
Boy, he sure be having the marks on they mark
Pretty bitches and tire marks, let 'em inhale them pipe exhausts
Let 'em reveal how much it cost for this life, controlling my price?
No way, hell no, uh-uh
If I'm wrong, I don't wanna be right
We want to be on to peak on the charts
So the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts
Women, weed, weather, it's not my fault
That it's 82 degrees and my top peeled off
[Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
Texas, I be screwed up, Chi-Town, I be really pimpin'
But nothing like my hometown, I'm forever livin'
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Dr. Dre]
Women, weed and weather
They come for women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
From all around the world for the women, weed and weather
Got that women, weed and weather
Don't it sound clever? Come and play
Wh-what more can I say? W-welcome to LA
[Verse 3: Dr. Dre]
Known for that homegrown where I come from
Smoke one, palm trees, double D's got 'em topless in the sun
I shall proceed, that's me, mothafuck your opinion
Huh, how many ways am I killing 'em? Shit, right around a billlion
We on it, that mean we living for the moment
That mean she'll fuck 'til the morning, time and I got time
And I know that I'm in a position of controlling
Anything out by that ocean
I'm a boos, I'll buy that ocean, ain't nobody fucking with this
[Verse 4: Kendrick Lamar]
They want that shit, they often fiend
I give it to 'em, but in between
My time, I gotta tie shoestrings
Life's a trip when you want these things
I often slip and then I lean
Toward three W's in life
You know blow job need an application
Eating pussy make appetite
And yeah, my type, I like 'em brown
Just like my drink, the fuck you think?
I don't fuck with no hand-me-downs
See if you fuck, then it's after me
You know how much I'ma make it work?
You know her dress livin' in her purse
When you discuss your love for lust
Just make sure you visit here first: Cali
[Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss
New Orleans and then Miami, party in New York
Texas, I be screwed up, Chi-Town, I be really pimpin'
But nothing like my hometown, I'm forever livin'
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Dr. Dre]
Women, weed and weather
They come for women, weed and weather
For the women, weed and weather
From all around the world for the women, weed and weather
Got that women, weed and weather
Don't it sound clever? Come and play
Wh-what more can I say? W-welcome to LA
[Outro: Kendrick Lamar]
(Smokin' weed with you
In the leaves, in the fall
I smoke with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
In the leaves, in the fall
I smoke with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you
'Cause you've taught me to
Smokin' weed with you)
@kendricklamarspotlight
โฌ๏ธLIKE IF YOU BUMPING THIS IN 2020! ๐๐
@Phoenix_Productions
yeap
@clarencehoward9947
K
@clarencehoward9947
L
@corbinthrelkeld8224
Just found this. Smokin cuz u taught me to. Heavenly
@corbinthrelkeld8224
@Jim Bob's Arcade no
@christophervassell9138
The original song is incredible, the sample is incredible.
@SingerCommaMarla
What is the sample from
@savvalaa
"Meet The Frownies" :)
@nirvana0023
@@SingerCommaMarla twin sisters meet the frownies