This track is about Kendrick’s confliction between his life at home in Compton and his life as a global superstar. In 2014, he was prophesying the success of To Pimp a Butterfly which scooped five Grammy awards in early 2016. Yet at the same time, he was troubled by the bloodshed and incarceration of his peers still trapped in the ghettos of Compton.
While he is separated and distracted by the fruits of his labour: the women, money, and fame, he realises the only way he can find a balance between the industry and the Compton homies he left behind is through TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment). His team has become his solace, and he’ll ride for them, the same as he would for those back home.
The production is supplied by former Taylor Gang staple Cardo (Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill) and Yung Exclusive. MTV asked Cardo if the beat on the finished song sounded the same as when he sent it. He replied: "Terrace Martin ended up adding a saxophone and some spooky keys behind it. He's a bad mother-shut-your-mouth on the saxophone."
"As soon as you hear that sax, you know it's Terrace! Anything with Kendrick and you hear that saxophone - it's definitely Terrace Martin," Cardo added. "If you send a beat to Kendrick with a saxophone, you might want to take that out, 'cause Terrace Martin is probably gonna want to do it himself. (laughs) He blessed me even more with his addition to the beat."
untitled 02 | 06.23.2014.
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
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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 chorus repeats the phrase "Pimp-pimp hooray" multiple times, which is thought to be a reference to the Black Panther Party chant "All power to the people" with the syllables rearranged. The song begins with Kendrick expressing his frustration with his own indecisiveness, describing himself as a Gemini who can't choose a side. He then talks about the struggles he and other Black people face every day, referencing the phrase "belly of the beast," which is often used to describe being trapped in the oppressive system. Kendrick pleads for others to pray for him, emphasizing the importance of spirituality in the face of adversity.
The verses that follow contain references to material possessions and money, but serve as a critique of the capitalist system that values wealth over humanity. Kendrick raps about how he spent his raise on diamonds rather than investing in his community. He then goes on to describe how his success and his ability to "fornicate" are a result of his pimping and posing, indicating that society values superficial appearances over genuine connection. The chorus repeats, encouraging listeners to get "Top on the phone," referring to Top Dawg Entertainment, Kendrick's record label, and highlighting the power and influence of community.
Line by Line Meaning
Pimp-pimp hooray
Celebrating one's success and prowess with women as a pimp
I'm sick and tired of being tired
Exhausted and fed up with the constant struggle of life
I can't pick a side, the Gemini
Having trouble making decisions and feeling split in two, like the two-faced zodiac sign
Prophesize if we living, I
Wondering about the purpose and meaning of life
Promise momma not to feel no lie
Being honest and truthful to one's mother
Seen black turn 'em Burgundy
Witnessing violence and death, turning blood red like the wine
Hundred of them, I know I'm greedy
Feeling guilty for wanting more and taking too much from others
Stuck inside the belly of the beast
Feeling trapped and oppressed by society, like being swallowed by a dangerous animal
Can you please pray for me?
Asking for help and support, perhaps from a higher power
Get God on the phone
Seeking divine guidance and intervention
Said it won't be long
Being reassured that help is on the way and things will get better
I see jiggaboos, I see Styrofoams
Observing negative aspects of society, including derogatory racial slang and drug culture
My hood going brazy
Experiencing chaos and madness in one's community
Where did we go wrong?
Questioning how and why things have gone so wrong in society
Get Top on the phone
Calling upon the leader of TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) for help and guidance
Cornrow Kenny, he was born with a vision
Referring to Kendrick Lamar as Cornrow Kenny and noting his innate talent and purpose in life
Parallel park like an alien, can't visit
Being so successful that one feels alienated and unable to relate to others
Slideshow for the nice show, ten bitches
Showing off one's wealth and success, including having many female admirers
King Kendrick (Hello Billy)
Addressing Kendrick as royalty and being respected by others
So many plays on me I finesse
Being skilled at navigating and succeeding in various situations
Palisade views with some sex
Enjoying luxury and beautiful views, often accompanied by sexual activity
I lost a lot of love for missionary
Becoming disillusioned with traditional, monogamous relationships
Me and Top is like a Kobe and Phil
Comparing the collaboration between Kendrick and Top Dawg to the successful partnership between Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson
TDE the mafia of the west
TDE being compared to a powerful, influential organization like the mafia
Move in silence, yeah, we juggin' like that
Operating secretly and effectively, like a skilled con artist
Act of violence, yeah, we juggin' like that
Using aggression and force when necessary to achieve success and power
Ten homies down and they all serving life
Lamenting the loss of friends and loved ones to prison sentences
Water's like twenty-five hundred a month
Noting the high cost of living in impoverished neighborhoods
I'm fuckin, I'm crazy
Being sexually active and wild in one's behavior
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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