This first track on "untitled unmastered." directly connects to the final song “Mortal Man” on his previous album "To Pimp A Butterfly". “Mortal Man” features a posthumous interview with Tupac wherein Kendrick asks Pac to explain the metaphor of “the ground”, to which he replies:
"2Pac: The ground is gonna open up and swallow the evil. That’s how I see it, my word is bond. I see and the ground is the symbol for the poor people; the poor people is gonna open up this whole world and swallow up the rich people."
This entire song is a vivid dramatization of 2Pac’s Marxist metaphor, depicting the ground cracking open and swallowing the rich sinners above, in a graphic biblical style. Kendrick attempts to prove all the love and dedication he’s demonstrated towards God, despite gaining wealth and power. The track is Kendrick’s plea of repentance, so he may be spared from this terrifying fate.
Kendrick has been signaling the end of times since a 2012 collaboration with Big Sean on “100”. More recently, in an interview with Billboard, Kendrick also shared that he believes that the Biblical “Last Days” are near, this belief of Kendrick’s is clearly noticeable in this song.
untitled 01 | 08.19.2014.
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
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Oh, you want me to touch you right there?
Oh, like a little lamb, play in your hair
Oh you want it? Oh you want it right now
Like that? I got you baby
All on you baby
Push it back on daddy
Push it back on daddy baby
I seen it vividly jogging my brain memory, life is
I seen it vividly jogging my brain memory
Life is long as infinity this was the final calling
No birds chirping or flying, no dogs barking
We all nervous and crying, moving in caution
In disbeliefs our believe's the reason for all this
The tallest building plummet, cracking and crumbling
The ground is shaking, swallowing young woman
With a baby, daisies, and other flowers burning in destruction
The smell is disgusting, the heat is unbearable
Preachers touching on boys run for cover, they paranoid
Rapists and murderers hurdle alleys
Valleys and high places turn into dust
Famous screaming in agony
Atheists for suicide, planes falling out the sky
Trains jumping off the track, mothers yelling "he's alive"
Backpedaling christians settling for forgiveness
Evidence all around us the town is covered in fishes
Ocean water dried out, fire burning more tires out
Tabernacle and city capital turned inside out
Public bathroom, college classroom's been deserted
Another trumpet has sounded off and everyone heard it
(It's happening) no more running from world wars
(It's happening) no more discriminating the poor
(It's happening) no more bad bitches and real niggas
Wishing for green and gold the last taste of allure
I swore I seen it vividly
A moniker of war from heaven that play the symphony
Thunder like number four, then I heard
"What have you did for me"
I fell to my knees, pulled out my resume
That dated back to June 17th, 1987
My paperwork was like a receipt
I was valedictorian, I was fearful of judgment
But confident I had glory in all my past endeavors
Close my eyes pray to god that I live forever
Dark skies, fire and brimstone some of us sent home
Some of us never did wrong but still went to hell
Geez Louise I thought you said that I excel
I made To Pimp a Butterfly 'fore you told me
To use my vocals to save man-kind for you
Say I didn't try for you, say I didn't ride for you
I tied for you, I pushed the club to the side for you
Who love you like I love you?
Crucifix, tell me you can fix
Anytime I need, I'mma start jotting everything in my diary
Never would you lie to me
Always camaraderie, I can see, our days been numbered
Revelation greatest as we hearing the last trumpet
All man, child, woman, life completely went in reverse
I guess I'm running in place trying to make it to church
Young nigga act an ass
Young nigga act a fool
Young nigga get yo' cash
Young nigga do what it do
Young nigga go, young nigga go
Young nigga go, young nigga go
Whatever makes all of you happy in this bitch
Just take it all back before the light switch
The song "untitled 01 | 08.19.2014." by Kendrick Lamar is about the end of the world, and shows the rapper's perspective on how people react to it. The first part of the song features sexually suggestive lyrics, which can be interpreted as people looking for pleasure before the end comes. With the line "push it back on daddy," Lamar seems to be emphasizing the idea of people trying to find comfort during a time of chaos and destruction. The second part of the song shows Lamar's vision of the afterlife, with dark skies and fire and brimstone. He pleads with God, presenting his resume to show his worth and asking for eternal life. He also mentions the album "To Pimp a Butterfly," revealing that he made the album to try and save humanity.
The song's structure is also interesting, as Lamar switches his flow and uses different vocal inflections throughout the song. The first part is more melodic and rhythmic, while the second part is more aggressive and urgent. The mixing of the song is also notable, with the sound of the trumpet in the background almost sounding like an emergency siren.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the human condition, and how people respond to the idea of an imminent ending. Lamar presents his perspective on how people look for pleasure and comfort, and also shows his own spirituality and relationship with God.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR DUCKWORTH, BRENT MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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