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.
Who Am I
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My plan B is to win ya
Hearts before I win a Grammy kendrick Lamar
Words like a sword in the hands of a Spartan
Marching on Rosecrans in Compton
You can't cause conflict or corrupt my spirit
I'm on point like period
I've been there and gone before
That boy remind me of a young Martin Luther
The way he piece up troopers
Then round up shooters like Malcolm X did
I stand for what I believe in
Family, God and honor
From Chicago, my daddy and my momma
Came to Compton to accomplish one thing
Raise a king, reign supreme, named Kendrick
I ain't lying, it stand for king and I am one
My unborn son and grandson will live royal
From the coochie to the soil
The meek shall inherit the Earth
Well I've had this world since birth
Feel the good kid's hunger
The Crips made strong
The Pirus made stronger muscle in my heart
Stare at the eyes of Mozart
Then tell him I'm the genius
Do my dougie and grab my penis
Cause I means this with all my soul
And you can't control greatness 'less you
Hating with the heart of Satan
But even that can't stop it
Nigga, get out my wallet and
Put passion in your logic
Passion in your life
The passion of my Christ is in me
And if you say it ain't, you may offend me
Damn that boy good
Bright as Thomas Edison, but Gucci man hood
He stood alone for so long
Prolonged his whole career, but now he's here
You can shoot shots or cheer cause I am
In "I Am," Kendrick Lamar discusses his commitment to his beliefs and his goal of leaving a legacy of kingship for his future generations. He explains that his approach to success is not just about winning awards, such as a Grammy, but also about winning the hearts of others. He sees himself as a warrior, like a Spartan, marching through the streets of Compton with words that are like a sword, invincible to those who try to bring him down. He is confident and proud of his journey, from his family roots in Chicago to his current reign in Compton. He is the king, and he will raise future kings in his family.
Lamar compares himself to influential leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, who were notable for their strong beliefs and commitment to civil rights. He mentions the meek shall inherit the Earth, which implies that power will belong to the humble and righteous eventually. He attributes part of his power to the gangs in Compton, such as the Crips and the Pirus, who have made him stronger, physically and mentally. He feels a clear sense of purpose and inspires listeners to find passion, not just in music, but in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
See y'all don't understand me
People can't comprehend my true essence and potential
My plan B is to win ya
My alternative strategy is to pacify my critics and doubters by impressing them
Hearts before I win a Grammy kendrick Lamar
It's more important for me to connect with my supporters emotionally than to simply win a music award
Words like a sword in the hands of a Spartan
My lyrics possess as much power and impact as the weaponry of the ancient Greek warriors
Marching on Rosecrans in Compton
I'm determined to fight against the injustices and oppression in my hometown of Compton, California
You can't cause conflict or corrupt my spirit
I won't allow others to disrupt my peace of mind or integrity
I'm on point like period
I'm always alert and focused like the end of a sentence
I've been there and gone before
I've experienced success and failure in the past and learned from them
You get near it ooh wee
You'll be amazed and impressed when you witness my skills and talent up close
That boy remind me of a young Martin Luther
I possess the same level of conviction and leadership as the famous civil rights icon did at a young age
The way he piece up troopers
I have a unique ability to unite and inspire people, especially those who face adversity
Then round up shooters like Malcolm X did
I'm capable of mobilizing a group of allies or supporters to take action against a common cause or enemy
I stand for what I believe in
I have strong convictions and values that I won't compromise for anyone or anything
Family, God and honor
My top priorities are my loved ones, my faith, and my sense of dignity and ethics
From Chicago, my daddy and my momma
I come from a family that originally hails from Chicago
Came to Compton to accomplish one thing
My parents moved to Compton with a specific goal in mind
Raise a king, reign supreme, named Kendrick
To bring up a son who will rise to greatness and lead with authority, named Kendrick
I ain't lying, it stand for king and I am one
My name Kendrick means 'royal ruler' and I possess the qualities of a true king
My unborn son and grandson will live royal
My future descendants will inherit my legacy and achieve greatness
From the coochie to the soil
From birth to death, my influence and impact will be felt by everyone and everything around me
The meek shall inherit the Earth
Those who are humble and compassionate will ultimately gain power and success in life
Well I've had this world since birth
I've been in control of my own destiny and environment since the moment I was born
Feel the good kid's hunger
Witness the strong desire and drive that I possess as a humble, hardworking individual
The Crips made strong
The gang violence and struggle in my community have made me tougher and more resilient
The Pirus made stronger muscle in my heart
My experiences with gang warfare and strife have strengthened my emotional and mental fortitude
Stare at the eyes of Mozart
I'm capable of meeting the standards and challenges of great artists and thinkers like Mozart
Then tell him I'm the genius
I'm confident in my own abilities and creativity, and can compete with the greatest minds in history
Do my dougie and grab my penis
I humorously express my self-assurance and swagger, which comes from a place of true confidence and talent
Cause I means this with all my soul
I fully believe in what I express through my music and my persona, and my passion comes from the depths of my being
And you can't control greatness 'less you
My talent and impact are undeniable and cannot be suppressed or undermined by anyone, unless they possess a similar level of greatness
Hating with the heart of Satan
Those who criticize or resent me do so out of malice and evil intentions
But even that can't stop it
Their negativity and hostility cannot prevent my success or impede my purpose
Nigga, get out my wallet and
Addressing an imaginary hater who wishes to take money from him
Put passion in your logic
Encouraging others to think and act with a sense of enthusiasm and drive
Passion in your life
Urging people to find their own passions and pursuits in life that fuel them
The passion of my Christ is in me
My faith in God and my commitment to living a moral, righteous life drives my every action and motivates me
And if you say it ain't, you may offend me
Challenging those who question or criticize his faith or values, and warning them of the potential consequences
Damn that boy good
A common phrase used to express admiration and astonishment at his talent and skill
Bright as Thomas Edison, but Gucci man hood
Referring to his intelligence and creativity, but also showing pride in his background and identity
He stood alone for so long
Recognizing that he had to overcome challenges and struggles on his own to achieve success
Prolonged his whole career, but now he's here
Acknowledging that his journey to fame and recognition was a long and difficult one, but that he has finally achieved his goals
You can shoot shots or cheer cause I am
Whether people try to bring him down or support him, he acknowledges his own worth and greatness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Missing Link Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JORJA SMITH, KENDRICK LAMAR, MARK ANTHONY SPEARS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zino618
It’s funny how our rappers who are not from the hood and struggle make negative music and act all gangsta but Kendrick who is from the hood and had struggle makes positive music that’s why he’s the goat
@dantedejong9868
Cinomatix he made u lol, the thing he is trying to do is show both sides and that even though you had some struggles you can get out of it. He’s not purely showing positivity
@clgameguys9393
Listen to u witch is literally linked to this song
@dantedejong9868
c&l game guys word
@patriciamason1763
Because he humble
@QuantumPlaysOfficial
Your profile pic looks like the optic logo
@humblethepoet
Kendrick Lamar is one of the biggest rappers in the world & he has us screaming "I love myself"
don't ever question the state of Hip Hop again
@jakejawsmusic
amen
@MrOlleyTUBE
How about you listen to the lyrics next time?
@cianfitzgerald3157
Oliver Legname think you took his comment the wrong way