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.
We Run This
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
If you niggas don′t know, better act like you know
Ha ha, we run this shit, yeah
Nigga, nigga, nigga
This T-O-P D-A-double-gizee E-N-T
Bitch-niggas want to envy
Black semi, black beanie, don't play hero
The big bad J, I′m the talk of the town
Disrespect this here, then they barkin' you down
Then they chalkin' you out, wrappin′ you up
Walkin′ you out to grave where they puttin' your ass down
Hands down, I′m the most anticipated emcee
Lyrical rhyme-slayer, that's me
When I speak, your favorite rapper, he get nervous
Hit the booth and bring the word like Sunday service
Catch me on my late night in the in the back lurkin′
Pistol on the front seat, watchin' for them serpents
West Coast for life, and Gz to the heart
Watts, Cali, my city, I ain′t takin' a loss
Hook
This Top Dawg, we run this shit
Makin' that money, stackin′ them chips
Takin′ over the game, makin' these hits
Top Dawg E-N-T, we run this shit
Top Dawg, we run this shit
Talkin′ that shit, we bustin' them clips
Better pay homage, who you fuckin′ with?
This Top Dawg, boy, we takin' over shit
I′m in the best position, I'm what the West was missin'
The forty ounce by the shore with the message in it, get it?
The message in it, writ in the Range, then performed by
The black-lipped bastard with the four eyes
Worked a fortune, four pies
Forklifted in the sky, reconfigured and delivered by I
My attitude is smooth, but my altitude is high
I thank God I never had to do time
Confined to the grime like a Pusha T
But you can see the malice every time the clips spit at you
This is rapture from a Jurassic Park raptor
And you look like a Jurassic Park actor
Bark at you, one hit to the lip, jaw fractured
This is it, fall backwards
Nah, that would mean that you stood for somethin′
Crawl backwards to your habitat
Top Dawg, you niggas is pussy as a alley cat
Yeah, they say, "More money, more problems"
Well, since a nigga had more money, no problems
Revolver will solve him and back him off my dick
No homo, you can catch me on the black bitch
It (?), bitch, still no homo
Feds takin′ glamor shots, no photos
My goons in that four-door with the rocket though, yo
Ready to cock back and let it blow
Bo got a cocky flow, Rock and Dot, yeah, we got it, bro
Let me keep it real though, Bo got a (?)
Tell 'em (?), tell these bitches what that pussy hittin′ fo'
I info, these niggas takin′ the wrong bill though
They takin' (?) and that deal though
Boy, I′m off that Indo smoke and I'm a real boss
So when they walk through that door, bitch, grab my coat
Indo make me choke, y'all niggas fuckin′ with whom?
It′s Top Dawg and the nigga comin' soon
Yeah, vigilante K. Dot, feelin′ antsy when I jump in the booth
Top Dawg, lick two shots
Cameras off, this is pay-per-view, City of Compton-bound
Your fraternity die instantly on my stompin' grounds
Code of the streets, eye for an eye
And only thing could come between that is a unibrow
You are now tuned into hieroglyphics, chips like Macintosh
Clips like a movie script
Back off or I put tips on you like you strip
Then make you strip like a chop shop, do your call
This is real as it gets
Y′all will never exist once I journalist the current events
Furnace, return and burn on your strip
Burn a homie, got an umbilical cord to my hip
Glock 40, double clip, plus a six-shooter
Catch forty, bitch, black Berry Gordy
Flip, shorty, pass him to the homies
Half 'em lookin′ for me, gave her good dick
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's song "We Run This" are filled with his trademark wordplay and clever rhymes. The song serves as an anthem for Lamar's crew, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), asserting their dominance in the rap game. Lamar starts off by confidently proclaiming that they run the shit, challenging anyone who doesn't know to act like they do. He then goes on to flex his lyrical skills and showcase his status as the most anticipated emcee.
Throughout the song, Lamar uses vivid imagery and clever metaphors to convey his message. He references his hometown of Watts, California, and expresses his loyalty to the West Coast. He boasts about his position in the rap game, calling himself what the West was missing, and describes himself as the "black-lipped bastard with the four eyes," a nod to his unique style and perspective. Lamar contrasts his smooth attitude with his high altitude, emphasizing his success and gratitude for not having to go through hardships like prison.
Lamar also takes shots at his detractors, calling them out for being fake and weak. He dismisses them as pussies and alley cats compared to the top dogs of TDE. He playfully references "More money, more problems," suggesting that he has more money now but no problems to go along with it. He asserts his dominance and readiness to back it up with his goons and weapons, warning his enemies to fall back.
The lyrics in "We Run This" showcase Lamar's lyrical prowess and confidence, while also asserting his crew's dominance in the rap game. It's a bold and assertive anthem that solidifies Lamar's position as a frontrunner in the industry.
Contributed by Hannah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
louside
Been a Kendrick fan since I was 6 I’m 14 now I’m glad I got to grow up listening to him he really gave me a different outlook on life
Ligero_en_la_mentE
thats wassup youngin hes all i listened to growing up now im 17 and still listen to this banger with my homies🔥🔥🔥🔥
ryuna
I can tell ur very chill bro, I’m 14 yrs old as well and I can relate, been a fan since 2010
Lemon
Love seeing the new gen listening to the old TDE keep it going 💯
Isaiah K
Do you guys realize? This video is the result of men trying to pursue a music career before they even knew they were gonna be big time. The shitty quality, videos of them in studios inside of a friends house. This video is literally the start of their greatness
BennY BankRoLL
They were great back then too! Soul need to continue this rapstyle
Max Dembo
I met them in 08 and knew they would be big. Didn’t think they would be so big though. Never imagined their type of hip hop would cross over as much as it has,
Lisa Willie
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Rev
ab-soul is a force to be reckoned with.
BongHitsWithGrogu
la.rheese how right he was.