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.
Wassup
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you see me in your town say wassup
Roll around say wassup
Even ones who wear the crown say wassup
That's wassup
Break it down, that's wassup
Blow a pound, that's wassup
Aye!
And my tail light broke like a promise, homie
This the realest shit I wrote, on my mama, homie
My teachers used to call my mama on me
Now I'm a rapstar and I could fuck my mama's homies
Me and ScHoolboy hit the liquor store
Chocolate swisha burn slow, how sweet?
Who got the dro? Who tryna chief?
Like Pocahontas daddy
And I'm off that granddaddy kush, I'm finna start a family
Im ghetto, my kool aid need mo suga
Five star suite, you ain't know, suga? (you ain't know bitch?)
I'm chillin' bumpin' Anita Baker
Caked up, they wonder why I don't need a baker
But really though I just need a hater
So I ask em for their number when I see a hater
Ask Obama if I don't know about presidents
Keep them dead motherfuckers restin' in my money clip
They know I put it down now they wanna say wassup
When you see me in your town say wassup
Roll around say wassup
Even ones who wear the crown say wassup
That's wassup
Break it down, that's wassup
Blow a pound, that's wassup
Aye!
Look up in the mirror and my gangsta told me what it do?
Cap'n Crunch and Top Ramen all a nigga ever knew
Got a bitch to twist a blunt and pop a nigga collar too
Who that nigga standin over there? That's that nigga Q
What it do?
That's wassup,
Bang this in your Tonka truck
Everybody rockin' chucks and pistol packin'
That's a must
Saggin and my ass showin'
Mami and the cops knowin' all I wanna do is smoke a blunt
Let it bump
Yeah I'm lookin in the mirror and the nigga said wassup, Rock?
And that nigga looked back at me and said "Boy, you certified."
Took my '87 regal, put it in a chop shop
Stash spot, .45
Run up, you gonna die
Lookin for a pretty bitch who can twerk it and throw it back
Nigga diss me, no I ain't missin' I'm throwin shots back
Jay rock, top cat, and I'm still a Top Dawg
Boxed in that Porsche box like I'm fighting south paw
They know I put it down now they wanna say wassup
When you see me in your town say wassup
Roll around say wassup
Even ones who wear the crown say wassup
That's wassup
Break it down, that's wassup
Blow a pound, that's wassup
Aye!
I'm Soulo, take a photo, blowin do-do in a dojo
We a green light, you a no go β Hey Q go!
No, Rock go!
I'ma rock though, like Barack though
And my eyes low and I drive slow like Paul Wall
Give it back though, I got y'all
Nah fuck that, I'mma ball hog
No fuck that, they gon' fall off
Gotta sawed off, I'mma hop out, let it all off
Hop back in, then haul off
We situated, we hit the pavement so hard we all got ground to play with
A challenger is like, last year calendars
Yup, you're all outdated
We all amazing, you all can hate it, you can live or die that's your ultimatum
Married to the game at the alter wasted
A pound of white rice on the tribe of Asians
Niggas they'll ride for me, bitches they desire me
And what's the one thing they hate most?
Sayin' bye to me!
They know I put it down now they wanna say wassup
When you see me in your town say wassup
Roll around say wassup
Even ones who wear the crown say wassup
That's wassup
Break it down, that's wassup
Blow a pound, that's wassup
Aye!
The lyrics of "Say Wassup" by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q revolves around their success and how people are acknowledging them now. The chorus emphasizes their status as people now love to interact with them and say wassup. They also mention breaking it down or blowing a pound, indicating their success in the hip-hop industry. However, the verses of each rapper have different themes.
In the first section, Kendrick Lamar's verse highlights his upbringing, how his teachers used to call his mom because of his behavior, but now he is a rap star. He mentions hanging out with ScHoolboy and smoking a chocolate swisha, and he is off the granddaddy kush, and he wants to start a family. The next section is Schoolboy Q's verse, and he is exploring his experiences, enjoying his success, and waiting for someone to hate on him. Jay Rock's verse focuses on his past experiences and upbringing; he mentions Cap'n Crunch and Top Ramen, which he ate when he was growing up. And the last verse of Ab-Soul is a flex; he brags how everyone desires him, and he knows how to handle both men and women.
Line by Line Meaning
They know I put it down, now they wanna say wassup
People now recognize my talent and want to greet me
When you see me in your town say wassup
When you spot me in your city, come and say hello
Roll around say wassup
Letβs greet each other casually while weβre hanging out
Even ones who wear the crown say wassup
Even the big shots acknowledge me and want to say hi
Thatβs wassup
Thatβs the way it should be
Break it down, thatβs wassup
Letβs analyze this situation, thatβs cool
Blow a pound, thatβs wassup
Letβs smoke a lot of weed, thatβs cool
And my tail light broke like a promise, homie
My carβs tail light is broken, like someone who didnβt keep their word
This the realest shit I wrote, on my mama, homie
These are the truest lyrics Iβve ever written, I swear on my mom's life
My teachers used to call my mama on me
My teachers used to call my mother over issues with my behavior
Now I'm a rapstar and I could fuck my mamaβs homies
Now that Iβm famous, even my mother's friends are interested in me
Me and ScHoolboy hit the liquor store
ScHoolboy and I head to the liquor store
Chocolate swisha burn slow, how sweet?
We're smoking a slow-burning chocolate-flavored cigar, how nice?
Who got the dro? Who tryna chief?
Who has marijuana and wants to smoke?
Like Pocahontas daddy
Like the father of the Disney character Pocahontas
And I'm off that granddaddy kush, I'm finna start a family
I'm high on a strong type of marijuana and am planning to have children
Im ghetto, my kool aid need mo suga
I'm from the ghetto, so I like my Kool-Aid to be sweeter
Five star suite, you ain't know, suga? (you ain't know bitch?)
I'm staying at a luxurious five-star hotel, don't you already know that?
Iβm chillin' bumpin' Anita Baker
I'm relaxing and listening to music by Anita Baker
Caked up, they wonder why I donβt need a baker
I have a lot of money and people question why I donβt need a baker for cakes
But really though I just need a hater
I really just need someone to hate on me and give me motivation
So I ask em for their number when I see a hater
I ask for a hater's phone number when I come across one
Ask Obama if I donβt know about presidents
I know a lot about presidents, ask Obama
Keep them dead motherfuckers restin' in my money clip
I keep old dollar bills with pictures of dead presidents in my money clip
Look up in the mirror and my gangsta told me what it do?
When I look in the mirror, my inner gangster speaks to me
Cap'n Crunch and Top Ramen all a nigga ever knew
I'm used to eating cheap cereal and noodles, thatβs all I ever knew
Got a bitch to twist a blunt and pop a nigga collar too
I have a woman who can twist a blunt (marijuana joint) and pop my collar (wear my clothes with style)
Who that nigga standin over there? Thatβs that nigga Q
That person standing over there is Jay Rock
What it do?
Whatβs up?
Bang this in your Tonka truck
Play this music loudly in your toy truck
Everybody rockin' chucks and pistol packin'
Everyone is wearing Converse sneakers and carrying guns
Thatβs a must
Thatβs a requirement
Saggin and my ass showin'
My pants are drooping and my underwear is visible
Mami and the cops knowin' all I wanna do is smoke a blunt
Even my girlfriend and the cops know that I only want to smoke weed
Yeah I'm lookin in the mirror and the nigga said wassup, Rock?
When I looked in the mirror, the reflection greeted me and asked, what's up, Rock?
And that nigga looked back at me and said 'Boy, you certified.'
The reflection nodded back and said, boy, you are an official gangster.
Took my '87 regal, put it in a chop shop
I took my 1987 Buick and had it disassembled in a chop shop
Stash spot, .45
I carry a hidden compartment in my car and a .45 caliber gun
Run up, you gon' die
If you mess with me, you will be killed
Lookin for a pretty bitch who can twerk it and throw it back
Iβm searching for an attractive woman who can dance suggestively and shake her butt
Nigga diss me, no I ain't missin' I'm throwin shots back
If someone insults me, I won't ignore it, I'll retaliate by taking shots back
Jay rock, top cat, and I'm still a Top Dawg
I'm Jay Rock, the top cat, and I'm still a member of the Top Dawg Entertainment label
Boxed in that Porsche box like I'm fighting south paw
I drive my Porsche like I'm boxing in a south paw stance
I'm Soulo, take a photo, blowin do-do in a dojo
Iβm Ab-Soul, letβs take a photo and smoke marijuana in a martial arts dojo
We a green light, you a no go β Hey Q go!
We've got the green light, but you're the one holding us back, Hey Q, go!
No, Rock go!
No, Jay Rock should go instead
I'ma rock though, like Barack though
I'll still dominate, just like Barack Obama
And my eyes low and I drive slow like Paul Wall
My eyes are half-closed and I drive slow, like rapper Paul Wall
Give it back though, I got y'all
I'll return the favor, Iβve got you all
Nah fuck that, I'mma ball hog
No, forget that, I'm going to keep all the attention to myself
No fuck that, they gon' fall off
Forget that too, theyβre going to lose popularity
Gotta sawed off, I'mma hop out, let it all off
I have a sawed-off shotgun, Iβm going to jump out and use it
Hop back in, then haul off
Get back in the car, then speed off
We situated, we hit the pavement so hard we all got ground to play with
We're successful and have made a huge impact, we can now afford to do whatever we want
A challenger is like, last year calendars
Competition is just like last yearβs calendars, outdated
Yup, you're all outdated
Yes, you are all out of date
We all amazing, you all can hate it, you can live or die thatβs your ultimatum
We're all great, and you all can hate us if you want, but at the end of the day, it's ultimately up to you if you want to survive or perish
Married to the game at the alter wasted
I'm so committed to the rap game that itβs like I'm intoxicated at the wedding altar
A pound of white rice on the tribe of Asians
I owe a huge debt to the Asian community (white rice is a common side dish in Asian cuisine)
Niggas they'll ride for me, bitches they desire me
Men will go to great lengths to support me, women are attracted to me
And what's the one thing they hate most?
What is it that they dislike the most?
Sayin' bye to me!
Saying goodbye to me is something they hate the most
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@m.g6917
9 years later, I almost shed tears when I listen to this, the nostalgia is too strong. Banger!!!
@healingIRT
β¨
@demaraemichael5783
facts
@ricochetarnold
HiiipoWer!!!
@ANGKiiNS
Fr
@insert_a_handle_here
With you my G
@elhappitan1rs416
I was 17 when I jammed this! On repeat, it's crazy how time flies. I am 28 now, just reminiscing on my old tunes. I'm definitely adding this again lol
@blakep4329
I just turned 29 I feel you, this will always hit different not even just cause nostalgia
@shimmy_freestyle
das whassup, 93'.. time runnin so fast
@aaronvilla13
Damn 2012 graduates stand up