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.
War Is My Love
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never felt the feeling of euphoria
Pain forever, prolong the pros and cons of prosperity is strong
Wake up in the morning and I gotta win
Not taking the victory, that's my only sin
And so I send a message to your messenger
A warning shot to let em know I'm serious
I'm ready for a war
The only thing for sure is the perfect way
To bend you on your back
Even if I gotta slither through the cracks
I can crack every code you deliver I attack
Every hole with a bomb squad sittin' on the tripod
Even if he try hard, he can still die hard
Run but you can't hide
White flags, you can pull 'em out fast
And tell me your last goodbye
I will, I will, climb the highest mountain
Before the flood comes
And all my fight is drowning in blood
What I gotta lose? What I gotta prove?
I guess, war is my love
Make sure your next move is slick
Your best move is nothing
You know I take risk, dark clouds, I love it
Cause I can hide in the mist
Hop out and crushin' every soldier you're with
So I'm 6 for 6
I'm sick with determination, I'll terminate ya quick
I lead the pack, I follow no rules, I see the traps
I know you're close to fallin' on your face
Unload, reload, hand me another case
Explode, explode
The fire of my eyes
Is waiting on your demise
I know you hope your help is close by
I will, I will, climb the highest mountain
Before the flood comes
And all my fight is drowning in blood
What I gotta lose? What I gotta prove?
I guess, war is my love
War is my love
I guess, war is my love
Kendrick Lamar's lyrics for War Is My Love express his belief in himself as a warrior and the need to always be ready for conflict. He uses a metaphor to describe his readiness for battle, stating that even if he's in the cracks, he can still come out on top. Lamar believes his determination is what sets him apart from others, stating that he is always willing to take risks and is not bound by rules. He concludes that war is his love, suggesting that he enjoys the thrill of the fight and that it is a part of who he is.
The song was released on Lamar's 2012 album, The Heart Pt. 3 (Will You Let It Die?), as a bonus track. The track was produced by Tae Beast and Dave Free of Digi+Phonics, with additional production from Willie B.
Line by Line Meaning
Look inside my eyes and tell me you see a warrior
I am strong and fearless; I'm ready for anything.
I never felt the feeling of euphoria
I don't get excited unless my bloodlust is quenched.
Pain forever, prolong the pros and cons of prosperity is strong
Even though I suffer pain, I'll continue pursuing my goals.
Wake up in the morning and I gotta win
Every day I'm determined to win, no matter what.
Not taking the victory, that's my only sin
I want to win, but not at the cost of my principles or morals.
And so I send a message to your messenger
I'm sending a warning that I'm serious and will not back down.
A warning shot to let em know I'm serious
I'll let my enemies know that I mean business.
I'm ready for a war
I'll fight anyone who dares to cross me.
When I roar it can break a glass window
My voice and power are so strong that they can shatter things.
The only thing for sure is the perfect way
I'm confident that I'm on the right path toward victory.
To bend you on your back
I'll defeat my enemies and make them submit to my will.
Even if I gotta slither through the cracks
No obstacle is too big for me to overcome in order to achieve victory.
I can crack every code you deliver I attack
I'm so skilled that I can easily defeat even the cleverest of foes.
Every hole with a bomb squad sittin' on the tripod
My team is prepared to attack every weak point you have.
Even if he try hard, he can still die hard
My enemies will not be able to defeat me, even if they try their best.
Run but you can't hide
I am so powerful and skillful that I will track down and defeat all who oppose me.
White flags, you can pull 'em out fast
Your surrender will be swift and painless if you give up now.
And tell me your last goodbye
Your defeat is imminent; say your goodbyes before I crush you.
I will, I will, climb the highest mountain
I will stop at nothing to achieve my goals.
Before the flood comes And all my fight is drowning in blood
I will fight and win no matter the cost, even if it means my own bloodshed.
What I gotta lose? What I gotta prove?
I have nothing to lose, no one to prove myself to.
I guess, war is my love
Fighting and winning is the only thing that truly excites me.
Make sure your next move is slick
Be careful and strategic in your next decision because I am watching.
Your best move is nothing
You have no chances of winning against me, your best bet is to do nothing.
You know I take risk, dark clouds, I love it
I'm willing to take risks, and even in the face of danger and uncertainty, I thrive.
Cause I can hide in the mist
I am very good at hiding and waiting for the right moment to strike.
Hop out and crushin' every soldier you're with
I will emerge out of nowhere and defeat every one of your soldiers.
So I'm 6 for 6
I've won every battle that I've fought.
I'm sick with determination, I'll terminate ya quick
I'm so determined that I will defeat you quickly without hesitation.
I lead the pack, I follow no rules, I see the traps
I am the one in charge, I don't play by anyone else's rules, and I'm too smart to fall into your traps.
I know you're close to fallin' on your face
I know you're on the verge of defeat.
Unload, reload, hand me another case
I'm prepared to continue fighting until all of my rivals are defeated.
Explode, explode The fire of my eyes
I'm so full of fury and determination that I'm on the brink of exploding.
Is waiting on your demise
Your defeat is inevitable and I'm ready to take you down.
I know you hope your help is close by
You know that defeat is imminent and you're hoping that help arrives soon.
War is my love
Fighting and winning are the only things that truly excite me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, MARK SPEARS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyle Lester
This man's album is gonna change the world
Muhd Danish
Yes it is
David Lee
You sure? Lol jk it did
Coda
the seer
Killer Killer
I really love kendrick in 2011 and early 2012. His music in between Section 80 and GKMC. I wish he could make a full album with this style and perform such songs live. He had such nice melodies and made me feel like im on another wave. I love his voice when he sings like this. I love this song. I love cloud 10, i love his vocals on "Project Window" with Punch. Yall check that song out... I love and miss that kendrick era. He was so experimental and it worked. No problem with the Kendrick Lamar now. I just love his music from 2011 to early 2012 better
J_Adam
TPAB was to me one of the greatest most revolutionary pieces of hip hop I've ever heard, a return to form yet evolution with real Jazz musicians, psychadelic-conceptual compositions and themes and a tribute to Afro artists across generations
MYSTICAL_poptart
Killer Killer what’d you think about his newest album?
Thirayan Moodley
Donald J. Trump oh my no. It's trump
Thirayan Moodley
Donald J. Trump I do agree though
SHOTTY
Raymond Sjöstedt damn you bodied him!