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.
The Ways
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the city lights up the night
I feel so
Good cause I did it my way
And I know
That I'm just livin' the life of girls and gold
And I feel so good
Cause I did it my way
Nights bright like Vegas
The life of girls and gold is so contagious
I been cold
Took the C,O, double M road
Hangin' out the windows
Reachin for the world as the wind blows
The crescendo of my career loud in your ear, ear
I'm proud to be here, now that we here
This year, you can find me at the cosmopolitan
Holding bottles, never bottled in
Probably with Chicagoans
And there's black girls modellin'
Looking for a followin'
Attitude is tolerant
I'm married to the game like Solomon
These rings represent the dreams
We got from the old folk, yearning for the gold coast
My soul spoke things that was necessary
Found forever in ways that are legendary
And through the drama, I stuck to my commentary
Now that everyday man say that comm is every-where
Oh
As the city lights up the night
I feel so
Good cause I did it my way
And I know
That I'm just livin' the life of girls and gold
And I feel so good
Cause I did it my way
I used to dream of rising now I see it clearer
How surprising I'm admiring that mirror
I'm inspiring the finer things in life
And your time is slowly expiring, you're crying me a river
That's ironic, she have a roll in it as well
I like to swim in it like Olympians YSL
And some Timberland's high as hell
The ceiling is an understatement
I burn through it, prove it's a fire drill
Fire hoes, bad bitches fire hoes
Fire hoes then re-hire hoes
Her entire crew is tired of the liars that you runnin' by her
I can see you ho
Plenty priors of a fuck nigga, nigga I suppose
I can fly her, put her in attire of designer clothes
Dayton wires on the Chevy, why are you not tryna roll?
Don't you know they already fuck me, I'm a made man
Maids in the mansion clean them up, out here
Oh
As the city lights up the night
I feel so
Good cause I did it my way
And I know
That I'm just livin' the life of girls and gold
And I feel so good
Cause I did it my way
The song "The Ways" by Kendrick Lamar is an ode to the artist's success and the life he leads as a result of it. In the first half of the song, Kendrick reflects on his journey to where he is now and how good it feels to have achieved success on his own terms despite the many obstacles and challenges he faced. He talks about the high life he leads - one filled with girls and gold - and how his experiences have made him proud of who he is and what he has accomplished.
In the second half of the song, Kendrick reflects on the impact of his success on his surroundings. He talks about how he has inspired others to strive for similar levels of success and how he continues to push himself to be the best he can be. He also acknowledges the haters and detractors who have tried to bring him down, but asserts that he will not let them interfere with his achievements.
Overall, "The Ways" is a confident and affirming song that celebrates Kendrick's personal and professional accomplishments, while also acknowledging the challenges he faced along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh
Expressing a feeling of satisfaction or relief
As the city lights up the night
The bright stars at night in the city give a feeling of excitement and success
I feel so
I'm experiencing a massive amount of emotions now
Good cause I did it my way
I feel great because I achieved these successes on my own terms
And I know
I'm well aware of what's going on and the results of my actions
That I'm just livin' the life of girls and gold
Living the life surrounded by an abundance of wealth and power
And I feel so good
The feeling of satisfaction is so intense
Cause I did it my way
Because I accomplished it in a way that was unique to me
Nights bright like Vegas
The city lights and life remind the author of the excitement of Las Vegas nights
The life of girls and gold is so contagious
The extravagant lifestyle of celebrities is fascinating and appealing to others
I been cold
I've been very focused and dedicated to my work
Took the C,O, double M road
Chose a path that was filled with challenges and obstacles
Hangin' out the windows
In a car that's cruising fast
Reachin for the world as the wind blows
Trying to grab everything life has to offer
The crescendo of my career loud in your ear, ear
The climax of the author's career is very memorable and impactful
I'm proud to be here, now that we here
Reflecting on how proud the author is with the achievements so far
This year, you can find me at the cosmopolitan
The author is likely to be seen at a very exclusive location
Holding bottles, never bottled in
Holding expensive and high-quality bottles that are not easy to obtain or replicate
Probably with Chicagoans
The author will likely be hanging out with some people from Chicago
And there's black girls modellin'
Black girls walking the runway for the author's fashion line
Looking for a followin'
Striving to be more popular and attracting more fans
Attitude is tolerant
The author is being patient and lenient
I'm married to the game like Solomon
The author is committed to the rap game and will stick with it no matter what
These rings represent the dreams
The rings are symbolic of the aspirations that the author has achieved so far
We got from the old folk, yearning for the gold coast
Referring to the dreams from an older generation that motivated the author to keep going
My soul spoke things that was necessary
The author's deepest thoughts and emotions were conveyed through his music
Found forever in ways that are legendary
The author's music will be remembered for ages and will remain timeless
And through the drama, I stuck to my commentary
The author was able to stay true to his beliefs, principles, and values amid controversies or issues
Now that everyday man say that comm is every-where
Referring to the increasing prevalence of communication in the modern world
I used to dream of rising now I see it clearer
The author had lofty aspirations before, but now he has a clearer sense of what his goals are
How surprising I'm admiring that mirror
Despite his success, the author can still be surprised and proud of himself
I'm inspiring the finer things in life
The author is trying to motivate others to pursue a life filled with luxury and extravagance
And your time is slowly expiring, you're crying me a river
Time is running out for those who are not as successful as the author, and they are filled with regret and sadness
That's ironic, she have a roll in it as well
It's ironic that some people who were once against the author's success are now trying to profit from it as well
I like to swim in it like Olympians YSL
The author enjoys immersing himself in the world of luxury and fashion like star Olympians
And some Timberland's high as hell
Wearing expensive and trendy Timberland shoes
The ceiling is an understatement
The author will keep reaching for the top despite the challenge
I burn through it, prove it's a fire drill
The author is very skilled and can navigate any obstacle with ease
Fire hoes, bad bitches fire hoes
Referring to attractive women who are bold and fearless
Fire hoes then re-hire hoes
Continuously hiring and firing people without regard for human emotions
Her entire crew is tired of the liars that you runnin' by her
Some people are getting fed up with the author's acquaintances who are not trustworthy
I can see you ho
The author is aware of some people's intent to make him look bad
Plenty priors of a fuck nigga, nigga I suppose
Many examples of people who are disingenuous or dishonest
I can fly her, put her in attire of designer clothes
The author can treat a woman to anything she wants, including expensive outfits
Dayton wires on the Chevy, why are you not tryna roll?
Wondering why some people are not taking advantage of opportunities for success
Don't you know they already fuck me, I'm a made man
Some people have already tried to take advantage of the author and his fame, but he's already established and doesn't care about their antics
Maids in the mansion clean them up, out here
People working for the author are doing everything to keep his home and surroundings clean and beautiful
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, LLOYD POLITE, TYREE CINQUE SIMMONS, CHAUNCEY ALEXANDER HOLLIS, LONNIE LYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lì Márt
on King Kunta
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