The Relevant
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Reporting live, Compton California The good kid
The artist, Kendrick Lamar, is introducing himself as The Good Kid from Compton, California.

I'm tired of doing it
The artist is expressing his desire for change and his dissatisfaction with the way things are currently done.

The same way, gotta flip it before I ruin it
The artist believes that change is necessary to avoid stagnation and decline.

Make it all make sense 'fore you put your two in it
The artist emphasizes the importance of understanding the situation before taking action.

Opinions get thrown out the window with Ron Browz
The artist dismisses opinions that are not valuable or useful, much like an old and irrelevant producer, Ron Browz.

So turn me up loud so the world can hear
The artist wants his voice to be heard clearly and loudly by the world.

And when your favorite rapper rapping you should cover Your ears And go death, go death I said Go death and stay dead, a shot to the forehead to kill 'Em
The artist believes that many rappers today are not worth listening to and that they should be ignored or eliminated, much like a shot to the forehead.

But I ain't here for no ignorance I'm militant as Martin Luther King and a penalty Aiming for my dreams till a bullet bounce off One of my deep thoughts and hit a nigga in the spleen
The artist wants to promote enlightenment and social justice, much like Martin Luther King Jr., and he wants to pursue his goals relentlessly despite obstacles or opposition.

I've got in it my genes, you probably think I'm talking Bout a pistol But I'm talking bout the blood of a warrior My nigga, what you worry for? I ain't tryna jock your Swag I'm tryna better my craft and stay relevant, yeah
The artist believes that he has inherited a fighting spirit and a warrior's blood, and he assures his listeners that he is not copying their style or image, but rather he is focusing on improving his own skills and staying relevant.

[Chorus] As time flies, hope that I'm soaring Far from the boring, I'ma Tell you why, it's important I'm not the boring, I'ma If I think and act like you do The world will die from not seeing something new And if I don't speak on how I feel The world will lose out on what's really real And if I should die before I wake I pray my music could take my place In the world... The Relevant
The chorus echoes the artist's desire for creativity, authenticity, and significance, and his belief that his music can have a lasting impact on the world.

I'd rather you call me that Than a typical artist you call wack On a YouTube blog holding ARs and stacks Of ones, but never could be the one To rally communities or lead a crowd of blacks
The artist would rather be recognized as The Relevant than be dismissed as a mediocre or untalented artist who only seeks attention and profit, and who cannot inspire or influence people meaningfully.

Passion is too strong, I'm pissed off So there's a chance you get pissed on, R. Kelly was in The wrong But that don't make you an exempt That don't make you a no-go from hitting the fence You ain't a blood and damn sure you ain't a crip The crowd yell "hoe" but I ain't a pimp I'm me, I'm free as a five-finger discount See you on the flip side right after I dismount
The artist's passion for his craft and his community is intense and sometimes angry, and he warns others not to mess with him or underestimate him, even if they are more famous or powerful. He asserts his individuality and freedom, and he is not interested in exploiting or degrading women or others for personal gain.

If I ever feel like I ain't pushing myself I'll find a cliff, then push myself off the edge Like a barber at the tip of your head That's how I settle it, life or death if I ain't Relevant, nigga
The artist is determined to keep improving and challenging himself, and he would rather risk his life than become irrelevant or complacent. He uses a metaphor of a barber's razor to describe his intensity and precision.

So feel free to not mind me If you're used to boosters, drug dealers and shooters On wax Cause most of y'all niggas fabricate facts anyway I could easily cheat and let the four-four play like a Two-on-two orgy But I've been there and it bores me Got to the point where it did nothing for me At forty I want to afford not to record bullshit in my Story And I'm mad young, so I'd rather do it now before my Career's done This is pain plus glory, victory is here If I cried, you could see strength and pride in my Tears I do it for the kids I do it for the twenty-three hour lockdowns doing time In the pen And my pen is the only thing I got for Hip Hop to Change the game And they'll remember my name as The Relevant
The artist acknowledges that his style and message are not for everyone, especially those who prefer commercialized and violent themes in music. He also recognizes that many artists in the industry are not authentic or truthful, and that he could easily go down that path, but he chooses not to. He wants to create a legacy of meaningful and sincere music that can inspire and uplift others, especially those who are struggling or marginalized. His vision for his art is both painful and glorious, and he wants his emotions to reflect his strength and resilience. He also wants to promote positive change in hip hop culture and beyond, using his pen as a powerful weapon.