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 07 | levitate
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drugs won't get you high as this
Fame won't get you high as this
Chains won't get you high as this
Juice won't get you high as this
Crew won't get you high as this
Hate won't get you high as this
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate, uh
Love won't get you high as this
Drugs won't get you high as this
Fame won't get you high as this
Chains won't get you high as this
Juice won't get you high as this
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate
Life won't get you high like this here, no
He won't get you high like this here, no
She won't get you high like this here, no
For free won't get you high like this here, no
Two keys won't get you high, no, no, no
Bentleys won't get you high, like, no
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate
Life won't get you high, no, no, no
He won't get you high, no, no, no
She won't get you high, no, no, no
For free won't get you high, no, no, no
Two keys won't get you high, no, no, no
Bentleys won't get you high, no, no, no
Bars won't get you high, no, no, no
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate
Shut your fuckin' mouth and get some cash, you bitch, you
You be in your feelings, I be in my bag, you bitch, you (don't fuck around)
Santa's reindeer better have some ass, you bitch, you (don't fuck around, don't fuck around)
Everything I'm working, gotta be the gas, you bitch, you (don't fuck around, don't fuck around)
Shut your fuckin' mouth and get some cash, you bitch (don't fuck aroun-)
You be in your feelings, I be in my bag, you bitch
Santa's reindeer better have some ass, you bitch
Everything I'm working, gotta be the
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate
Me don't want problems (me don't want problems)
Me don't want tricks (me don't want tricks)
Me do want dollars (me do want dollars)
Me want it big (me do want dollars)
Me don't want problems (we ride Impalas)
Me don't want tricks (me don't want tricks)
Me do want dollars (me don't want tricks)
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate
We don't want problems (we don't want problems)
We don't want tricks (we don't want tricks)
We do want dollars (we do want dollars)
We do it big (we don't want problems)
We do it big (we don't want problems)
We do it big (we don't want tricks)
We don't want problems (we don't want problems)
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate
Kendrick Lamar's untitled 07 | levitate addresses the concept of reaching a high or an escape from reality. The lyrics repeat the phrase, "Love won't get you high as this. Drugs won't get you high as this. Fame won't get you high as this. Chains won't get you high as this," emphasizing that nothing outside of the self can provide a true high. The song suggests that the only true escape or high comes from within oneself, through levitation or transcendence.
The song also touches on the ideas of material wealth, status, and success. The lyrics repeatedly mention things like "Bentleys," "dollars," and "bars" as things that won't bring a high. It implies that having material things and success does not necessarily bring true happiness or fulfillment. The line, "Shut your fuckin' mouth and get some cash, you bitch, you," can be interpreted as a critique of capitalism and the idea that the pursuit of wealth and material possessions can lead to a shallow and unfulfilling life.
Overall, the song is a commentary on society's constant pursuit of escapes and highs through external sources, whether it be through love, drugs, fame, or material possessions. The message is clear that true peace and happiness can only come from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Love won't get you high as this
Love can’t give you the euphoria that drugs, fame, chains, juice, crew, and hate can.
Drugs won't get you high as this
The high you experience from drugs isn’t as strong as the one you get from other things.
Fame won't get you high as this
Famous people don’t experience the same level of satisfaction as other things can give.
Chains won't get you high as this
The feeling you get from owning valuable possessions like chains is not as good as other things can give.
Juice won't get you high as this
Even having enough juice (money) can’t bring the same level of satisfaction as other things can.
Crew won't get you high as this
Being in the company of others cannot give you as much satisfaction as other things.
Hate won't get you high as this
Feeling hate towards something or someone does not compare to the satisfaction that other things can give.
Levitate, levitate, levitate, levitate, uh
Repeating the word 'levitate' signifies that transcending all earthly things is important to attain true satisfaction.
Life won't get you high like this here, no
Living life to the fullest cannot compare to the high level of satisfaction obtained from other things.
He won't get you high like this here, no
Being with someone special cannot give the same level of satisfaction that other things can.
She won't get you high like this here, no
Being with someone special cannot give the same level of satisfaction that other things can.
For free won't get you high like this here, no
Not paying anything cannot bring the same level of satisfaction obtained from other things.
Two keys won't get you high, no, no, no
Possessing two keys (likely indicating cars or houses) cannot bring the same level of satisfaction obtained from other things.
Bentleys won't get you high, like, no
Owning a luxury car like a Bentley does not bring the same level of satisfaction as other things can.
Bars won't get you high, no, no, no
Going to bars cannot give the same level of satisfaction that other things can.
Shut your fuckin' mouth and get some cash, you bitch, you
One should focus on making money instead of complaining.
You be in your feelings, I be in my bag, you bitch, you (don't fuck around)
While one person is sulking in their emotions, another is busy profiting and doesn't have time to waste.
Santa's reindeer better have some ass, you bitch, you (don't fuck around, don't fuck around)
This line is a playful jab at the commercialism of Christmas, with Santa being equated to a pimp.
Everything I'm working, gotta be the gas, you bitch, you (don't fuck around, don't fuck around)
Everything one does has to be productive and lead to greater success.
Me don't want problems (me don't want problems)
One does not want issues or headaches.
Me don't want tricks (me don't want tricks)
One doesn't want anyone to try and deceive them.
Me do want dollars (me do want dollars)
One wants to make money.
Me want it big (me do want dollars)
One wants to make a lot of money.
We don't want problems (we don't want problems)
They do not want issues or headaches.
We don't want tricks (we don't want tricks)
They don't want anyone to try and deceive them.
We do want dollars (we do want dollars)
They want to make money.
We do it big (we don't want problems)
They want to make a lot of money and avoid issues.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam King Feeney, Kendrick Lamar, Ron Latour, Brock Korsan, Daveon Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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