Born in Compton, California, Lamar began releasing music under the stage name K.Dot while attending high school. He signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005, and co-founded the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy there. Following the 2011 release of his alternative rap debut album Section.80, Lamar secured a joint contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. He rose to fame with his gangsta rap-influenced second album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), which became the longest-charting hip hop studio album in Billboard 200's chart history. In 2015, Lamar scored his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, after featuring on the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood", and released his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which infused hip-hop with historical African-American music genres such as jazz, funk, and soul, and became his first of five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart.
Lamar's critical and commercial success continued with his R&B and pop-leaning fourth album Damn (2017), yielding his second US number-one single, "Humble". He curated original songs for the soundtrack of the 2018 film Black Panther, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the US top-ten single "All the Stars". Lamar's 2022 double album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concluded his tenure with TDE and Aftermath. His feud with Drake and subsequent sixth album GNX (2024) spawned the Hot 100 number-ones "Like That" and "Squabble Up", as well as "Not Like Us", which became the most-awarded song in the Grammy Awards history, with five wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Lamar has received various accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards (the third-most won by a rapper), a Primetime Emmy Award, a Brit Award, 4 American Music Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards (including 2 Video of the Year wins), and a record 37 BET Hip Hop Awards. Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Three of his works were included in Rolling Stone's 2020 revision of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Outside of music, Lamar co-founded the creative company PGLang and ventured into film with his longtime creative partner, Dave Free.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples. Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother. Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth). His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem. He considered studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.
Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives. One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and Dr. Dre film the second music video for their single "California Love" with his father at the Compton Swap Meet. Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views. Although some publications have regarded him as the Shakur of his generation, he has strived to maintain his individuality.
Lamar maintains a low public profile, and is known to be reserved. He is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media. He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality. According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it." His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.
Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with. Although some journalists declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake, some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation. Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah". Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions, causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex. However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop. "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good bridge," he explained to Zane Lowe. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have".
In November 2024, Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX, marking his first project after departing from Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment. The album features collaborations with artists such as SZA, Roddy Ricch, and emerging Los Angeles rappers, and includes production contributions from Jack Antonoff. GNX blends elements reminiscent of his previous works, combining mainstream appeal with complex themes, and introduces new influences like the West Coast club sound. The album's release intensified Lamar's ongoing feud with Drake, particularly with the track "Not Like Us," which became a massive hit and won multiple Grammy awards. Following his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025, GNX returned to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying Lamar's status as a dominant force in contemporary hip-hop.
untitled 05 | 09.21.2014.
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jumped into a pit of flames and burned to coal
Drowned inside the lake outside away you flow
And that means the world to me
Somebody said you bumped your head and bled the floor
Jumped into a pit of flames and burned to coal
Drowned inside the lake outside away you flow
And this I know
I got 100 on my dash, got 200 in my trunk
Name in the grab bags, put my Bible in the trunk
Taaka vodka on the top of my binocular I'm drunk
How can I make them popular, pop em' when I want
See I'm livin' with anxiety, duckin' sobriety
Fuckin' up the system I ain't fuckin' with society
Justice ain't free, therefore justice ain't me
So I justify his name on obituary
Why you wanna see a good man with a broken heart?
Once upon a time I used to go to church and talk to God
Now I'm thinkin' to myself, hollow tips is all I got
Now I'm drinkin' by myself, at the end of Section Park
Watch you when you walk inside your house
You threw your briefcase all on the couch
I plan on creeping through your fuckin' door and blowin' out
Every piece of your brain until your son jump in your arms
Cut on the engine, then sped off in the rain
I'm gone
Somebody said you bumped your head and bled the floor
Jumped into a pit of flames and burned to coal
Drowned inside the lake outside away you flow
And that means the world to me
Drove alone, with a bottle of his own grippin' the handle
Lit off henny, I'm tryna dismantle
These wicked ways, I've engaged in such a gamble
Cause I could speak the truth and I know the world would unravel, wait
That's a bit ambitious maybe I'm trippin'
Maybe I'm crazy, maybe I exist in a different dimension
Not to mention when I close my eyes I see the distance
It's such a scary sight so I rarely go to sleep at night
I watch the sun rise then I watch the sun fall
Studied the son of God but still don't recognize my flaws
I guess I'm lost, the cost of being successful is equal to being neglectful
I pray my experience helps you
As for me I'm tryna sort it out
Searching for loop holes in my bruised soul
But who knows?
I just need a little space to breathe
I know perception is key, so I am king
The other side has never mortified my mortal mind
The borderline between insanity is father time
I fall behind my skeleton they tell me that I'm blind
I know that I'm intelligence, my confidence just died
Carpe diem, seize the day, I can't compromise
A tape worm couldn't cure this gluttonous appetite
A couple drinkers they seein me as I pacify
But couldn't fathom the meaning of seein' sacrifice
I'm passin' lives on a daily, maybe I'm losing faith
Genocism and capitalism just made me hate
Correctionals and these private prisons gave me a date
Professional dream killers reason why I'm awake
I'm sleep walkin', I'm street stalkin', I'm outta place
Reinforcing this heat barking, these are the brakes
Before I blink do I see me before them pearly gates?
Or is this just a mirage or a facade
Wait
The lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's "untitled 05 | 09.21.2014." speak to different themes of pain, loss, and anxiety. The opening lines employ vivid imagery to describe the physical harm suffered by someone close to the singer. The repetition of these lines throughout the song highlights the weight of this person's pain and the impact it has on the singer. In the second verse, Kendrick explores his own feelings of anxiety and disillusionment with society. He describes feeling like he is "duckin' sobriety" and "fuckin' up the system," which suggests that he is struggling to reconcile his own sense of morality with a world he perceives as corrupt. The verse ends on a violent note, with Kendrick imagining himself "creeping through your fuckin' door and blowin' out every piece of your brain until your son jump in your arms." This imagery speaks to feelings of anger and desperation, which are compounded by his fears of being trapped in a world that doesn't value justice.
The final verses of the song reflect an internal struggle that Kendrick seems to be grappling with throughout. On the one hand, he is searching for a way to speak the truth and make a difference in the world. He recognizes the power of perception and the importance of being king of his own life. On the other hand, he is held back by his own anxieties and doubts about his place in the world. The repetition of the line, "maybe I'm trippin'" drives home this theme of self-doubt. The final lines of the song suggest that Kendrick is facing his own mortality and questioning whether his life has made a difference. The ambiguity of the closing line, "wait," leaves the listener with a sense of uncertainty and speaks to the complexity of the themes explored throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody said you bumped your head and bled the floor
Someone told me that you got hurt and bled on the floor
Jumped into a pit of flames and burned to coal
They also said that you jumped into fire and turned to ashes
Drowned inside the lake outside away you flow
Additionally, they claimed that you drowned in the lake and floated away
And that means the world to me
All these things are very important to me
I got 100 on my dash, got 200 in my trunk
I'm driving really fast and have a lot of things in my car
Name in the grab bags, put my Bible in the trunk
I have important things with me, like my identification and my Bible
Taaka vodka on the top of my binocular I'm drunk
I'm drinking vodka and feeling intoxicated
How can I make them popular, pop em' when I want
I'm thinking about how to make myself more famous and popular
See I'm livin' with anxiety, duckin' sobriety
I'm constantly living with anxiety and avoiding sobriety
Fuckin' up the system I ain't fuckin' with society
I'm rebelling against the system and society
Justice ain't free, therefore justice ain't meSo I justify his name on obituary
I don't believe justice is free, so I take matters into my own hands and justify violence
Why you wanna see a good man with a broken heart?
Why do you want to see me, a good person, suffer?
Once upon a time I used to go to church and talk to God
I used to be religious and pray to God
Now I'm thinkin' to myself, hollow tips is all I got
Now I only have bullets as my solution to problems
Now I'm drinkin' by myself, at the end of Section Park
I'm drinking alone in a park
Watch you when you walk inside your houseYou threw your briefcase all on the couch
I'm watching you and noticing your actions as you come home
I plan on creeping through your fuckin' door and blowin' outEvery piece of your brain until your son jump in your arms
I want to enter your house and kill you until your son witnesses it and jumps to protect you
Cut on the engine, then sped off in the rainI'm gone
I turn on the car and drive away in the rain
Drove alone, with a bottle of his own grippin' the handle
I drive alone, holding a liquor bottle for comfort
Lit off henny, I'm tryna dismantleThese wicked ways, I've engaged in such a gamble
I drink Hennessy and try to get rid of my dangerous behavior
Cause I could speak the truth and I know the world would unravel, waitThat's a bit ambitious maybe I'm trippin'Maybe I'm crazy, maybe I exist in a different dimensionNot to mention when I close my eyes I see the distanceIt's such a scary sight so I rarely go to sleep at night
I have the power to reveal the truth but I'm afraid of the consequences. Sometimes I question my sanity and existence while also struggling with a fear of the unknown
I watch the sun rise then I watch the sun fallStudied the son of God but still don't recognize my flaws
I watch the day pass by and have studied religion, but I still can't see my own faults
I guess I'm lost, the cost of being successful is equal to being neglectfulI pray my experience helps you
I feel lost and realize the price of success is neglecting important things. I hope others can learn from my experience
As for me I'm tryna sort it outSearching for loop holes in my bruised soulBut who knows?I just need a little space to breatheI know perception is key, so I am king
I'm trying to figure things out and find solutions for my problems, but it's not easy. I need some time to be alone and sort through my emotions. I know how important perspective is and I am confident in myself
The other side has never mortified my mortal mindThe borderline between insanity is father timeI fall behind my skeleton they tell me that I'm blindI know that I'm intelligence, my confidence just died
I've never been traumatized to the point of instability. The line between sanity and insanity is time. I struggle to see the world properly and feel like I'm falling behind, but I'm aware of my intelligence, even if my confidence has been shaken
Carpe diem, seize the day, I can't compromiseA tape worm couldn't cure this gluttonous appetite
I live by the motto to seize the day and won't settle for less. I have an insatiable hunger and nothing can satisfy it
A couple drinkers they seein me as I pacifyBut couldn't fathom the meaning of seein' sacrifice
Some people see me drinking and think I'm calming down, but they don't understand what it's like to experience sacrifice
I'm passin' lives on a daily, maybe I'm losing faithGenocism and capitalism just made me hateCorrectionals and these private prisons gave me a dateProfessional dream killers reason why I'm awake
I see people suffer every day and it makes me question my beliefs. I hate the injustices of racism and capitalism, and the prison system has given me a sense of hopelessness. I feel like my ambitions are being destroyed
I'm sleep walkin', I'm street stalkin', I'm outta placeReinforcing this heat barking, these are the brakesBefore I blink do I see me before them pearly gates?Or is this just a mirage or a facadeWait
I feel like I'm not in the right place and am not in control of my actions. I feel like I'm reinforcing destructive behavior and can't stop it. Sometimes I wonder if I'll go to heaven when I die or if my life is just an illusion
Somebody said you bumped your head and bled the floorJumped into pit of flames and burned to coalDrowned inside the lake outside away you flowAnd that means the world to me
Someone told me that you suffered terrible things, and that is very important to me
And this I know
I'm sure of this fact
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Anthony Spears, Stephen Bruner, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David G. Morris
on Worldwide Steppers
We’ve all hurt people, while trying to heal ourselves.
lil mart
on BLOOD.
nice
Lì Márt
on King Kunta
nice
Geneva Andes
on King Kunta
h