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.
untitled 02 | 06.23.2014
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pimp-pimp hooray
Hooray
Pimp-pimp hooray
Pimp-pimp
I'm sick and tired of being tired
I can't pick a side, the Gemini
Promise momma not to feel no lie
Seen black turn 'em Burgundy
Hundred of them, I know I'm greedy
Stuck inside the belly of the beast
Can you please pray for me?
Get God on the phone
Said it won't be long
I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams
My hood going brazy
Where did we go wrong?
I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams
Get Top on the phone
Tell the squad come home
We gon' ball again 'fore he call us home
World is going brazy
Where did we go wrong?
It's a tidal wave, it's a thunderdome
Get God on the phone
I just got a raise (I just got a raise)
Spent it all on me (I spent it all on me)
Diamonds all appraised (diamonds all appraised)
And I'm bossing up (and I'm bossing up)
Bitch get out the way (bitch get out the way)
I'm the only way
We can fornicate
Ah, pimping and posing
Look what I drove in, ah
Having these hoes and I know that I'm chosen, ah
I live by the code and me and my bros and
Ah, my dollars ain't foldin', you was never the homie
Seen black turn 'em Burgundy
Hundred of them, I know I'm greedy
Stuck inside the belly of the beast
Can you please pray for me?
Get God on the phone
Said it won't be long
I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams
My hood going brazy
Where did we go wrong?
I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams
Get Top on the phone
Cornrow Kenny, he was born with a vision
All morning with the mixed dashboards triple digits
Parallel park like an alien, can't visit
Slideshow for the nice show, ten bitches
Fine nose with a blindfold, King Kendrick
(Hello Billy)
So many plays on me I finesse
Palisade views with some sex
I lost a lot of love for missionary
This the first time I confess
Me and Top is like a Kobe and Phil
A father figure fuck with him, you get killed
Fuck with me and he will kill you himself
TDE the mafia of the west
Move in silence, yeah, we juggin' like that
Act of violence, yeah, we juggin' like that
I did a lot of dumb shit in my past
Lord forgive me, hoping I don't relapse
Dave just bought a new nine eleven
Almost thought I'd seen another plane crash
Q just bought a brand new McLaren
Rock-a-lack about to buy the projects
Moosa got his son dripping in gold
Ali 'bout to let his hair down on hoes
Me, I'm about to let my hair down on hoes
Top billing that's a million a show
Might blow the whole Remy on Soul
Might tell Obama be more like Punch
Sounwave caught a Grammy last year
Mack wop, bet he do what he want
Fuck you niggas, level two I'm not done
2Teez told me that I am the one
I can put a rapper on life support
Guarantee that's something that none of you want
Ten homies down and they all serving life
Water's like twenty-five hundred a month
What if I empty my bank out and stunt?
What if I certified all of these ones?
Bitch I get buck, I'm as real as they come
Shit is amazing, I'm feeding my cravings
You know that you want me come here now lil' baby
I'm fuckin, I'm crazy
Serving it like I belong in the basement
Alive at the Days Inn
Yay and my relative like cherry soda
Pistol and poverty, come get to know us
(Get Top on the phone)
Who doing the drums?
Man put that nigga on the drums man
Yep all day, mortal man and Kunta
Alright, from the top!
The song "untitled 02 | 06.23.2014" by Kendrick Lamar is an introspective track about his struggle and feeling trapped in the music industry. The hook "Pimp-pimp hooray" repeats throughout the song, which can be interpreted as a reference to the superficial glamor and materialism that comes with success, which is often glorified in popular culture. Lamar begins the song by expressing his exhaustion and lack of direction, as he finds himself unable to choose between different sides of his personality, as a Gemini. He then goes on to describe his struggle to stay true to himself and his community while dealing with greed, violence, and addiction.
The chorus "Get God on the phone, said it won't be long" suggests that Kendrick is looking for guidance or higher meaning in his life. He acknowledges the negative influence of drugs on his community and society in general, reflected in the lines "I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams." Lamar also reflects on his success, but acknowledges that it can be fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying if it doesn't come from a place of genuine talent and hard work. This song is a raw and honest reflection of the challenges of fame and the constant struggle to find balance, purpose, and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Pimp-pimp hooray
Celebrating success and liveliness.
Pimp-pimp hooray
Celebrating success and liveliness.
Hooray
Rejoicing for good times.
Pimp-pimp hooray
Celebrating success and liveliness.
Pimp-pimp
Continuing to celebrate success.
I'm sick and tired of being tired
Exhausted by the struggle of life.
I can't pick a side, the Gemini
Feeling conflicted and indecisive.
Prophesize if we living, I
Wondering about the purpose and direction of life.
Promise momma not to feel no lie
Making a commitment to honesty and integrity.
Seen black turn 'em Burgundy
Experiencing violence, chaos, and bloodshed.
Hundred of them, I know I'm greedy
Feeling selfish and wanting more.
Stuck inside the belly of the beast
Feeling trapped and oppressed by societal structures.
Can you please pray for me?
Asking for support and guidance.
Get God on the phone
Turning to spiritual guidance and faith.
Said it won't be long
Receiving reassurance that things will improve.
I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams
Observing cultural trends and societal issues.
My hood going brazy
Noticing the madness and chaos in the community.
Where did we go wrong?
Reflecting on mistakes and the reasons for societal issues.
Get Top on the phone
Contacting a leader for support and direction.
Tell the squad come home
Reuniting with friends and family.
We gon' ball again 'fore he call us home
Making the most of life before it's over.
It's a tidal wave, it's a thunderdome
Describing the overwhelming and chaotic environment.
Cornrow Kenny, he was born with a vision
Referring to the artist with a unique perspective.
All morning with the mixed dashboards triple digits
Enjoying luxury and fast cars.
Parallel park like an alien, can't visit
Skilled at parking, but still feeling out of place in society.
Slideshow for the nice show, ten bitches
Enjoying the company of women.
Fine nose with a blindfold, King Kendrick
Recognizing his talent and leadership ability.
(Hello Billy)
Acknowledging a friend or acquaintance.
So many plays on me I finesse
Outsmarting others in various situations.
Palisade views with some sex
Enjoying luxurious living.
I lost a lot of love for missionary
Growing out of traditional beliefs or practices.
This the first time I confess
Being honest and open about personal feelings.
Me and Top is like a Kobe and Phil
Comparing a relationship to a successful basketball duo.
A father figure fuck with him, you get killed
Respecting and protecting loved ones.
Fuck with me and he will kill you himself
Being fiercely protective of oneself.
TDE the mafia of the west
Describing a close-knit group with power and influence.
Move in silence, yeah, we juggin’ like that
Being stealthy and strategic.
Act of violence, yeah, we juggin’ like that
Being prepared for conflict.
I did a lot of dumb shit in my past
Acknowledging and reflecting on past mistakes.
Lord forgive me, hoping I don't relapse
Asking for forgiveness and the strength to avoid repeating mistakes.
Dave just bought a new nine eleven
Referring to a luxury car purchase.
Almost thought I’d seen another plane crash
Reflecting on past traumatic events.
Q just bought a brand new McLaren
Referring to another luxury car purchase.
Rock-a-lack about to buy the projects
Aspiring to achieve major financial success.
Me, I'm about to let my hair down on hoes
Relaxing and enjoying life.
Top billing that’s a million a show
Achieving a high level of success and wealth.
Might blow the whole Remy on Soul
Indulging in expensive alcohol and entertainment.
Might tell Obama be more like Punch
Expressing political opinions and jokingly suggesting change.
Sounwave caught a Grammy last year
Celebrating a friend's success in the music industry.
Mack wop, bet he do what he want
Having the freedom to live independently.
Fuck you niggas, level two I'm not done
Being confident and unapologetic.
2Teez told me that I am the one
Receiving positive feedback and encouragement from a friend.
I can put a rapper on life support
Being capable of ending someone's career.
Guarantee that's something that none of you want
Issuing a warning to those who might cross him.
Ten homies down and they all serving life
Reflecting on the impact of violence and crime in the community.
Water's like twenty-five hundred a month
Struggling to afford basic necessities.
What if I empty my bank out and stunt?
Thinking about the consequences of overspending.
What if I certified all of these ones?
Considering unconventional methods of handling money.
Bitch I get buck, I'm as real as they come
Being confident and genuine.
Shit is amazing, I'm feeding my cravings
Enjoying the fruits of his labor.
You know that you want me come here now lil' baby
Expressing sexual desire and confidence.
I'm fuckin, I'm crazy
Indulging in sexual pleasures without inhibition.
Serving it like I belong in the basement
Feeling comfortable and confident in one's abilities.
Alive at the Days Inn
Relaxing and enjoying a low-key lifestyle.
Yay and my relative like cherry soda
Describing a positive relationship with family members.
Pistol and poverty, come get to know us
Acknowledging the harsh realities of growing up in poverty.
(Get Top on the phone)
Reiterating the importance of reaching out for help and guidance.
Who doing the drums?
Asking about the music production.
Man put that nigga on the drums man
Assigning someone to play the drums.
Yep all day, mortal man and Kunta
Acknowledging his humble beginnings and the influence of his heritage.
Alright, from the top!
Starting the song again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR DUCKWORTH, DAVEON LAMONT JACKSON, RONALD N LATOUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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