Institutionalized
Kendrick Lamar feat. George Clinton & Thundercat Lyrics

What money got to do with it
What relevance does money have in defining a rap image?

When I don't know the full definition of a rap image?
I am uncertain about what truly constitutes a rap image.

I'm trapped inside the ghetto and I ain't proud to admit it.
I am confined to the ghetto, and I feel ashamed about it.

Institutionalized, I keep runnin' back for a visit.
I am trapped within the constraints of societal institutions, but I continue to return to them.

Hol' up, Get it back.
Wait a moment, let me collect my thoughts.

Institutionalized, I could still kill me a nigga, so what?
Despite being constrained by societal institutions, I am still capable of committing violent acts.

If I was the president, I'd pay my mama's rent.
If I held the highest office, I would see to it that my mother's living expenses were covered.

Free my homies and them. Bulletproof my Chevy doors.
I would exonerate my friends and provide protection for myself by bulletproofing the doors of my car.

Lay in the White House and get high, Lord. Who ever thought?
I would relax in the White House and consume marijuana, an unimaginable feat before me.

Master take the chains off me.
I implore my captors to release me from bondage.

Life can be like a box of chocolate.
Life is unpredictable, like a box of chocolate with assorted fillings.

Quid pro quo, somethin' for somethin', that's the obvious.
Reciprocity, exchanging one thing for another, is a commonly accepted practice.

Oh shit, flow's so sick, don't you swallow it.
My rap technique is so innovative, you must listen intently to appreciate it.

Bitin' my style, you're salmonella poison positive.
Copying my unique style is detrimental to your own reputation.

I can just alleviate the rap industry politics.
I have the power to reduce the negative influences of politics within the rap industry.

Milk the game up, never lactose intolerant.
I will exploit the rap industry to my advantage without reservation.

The last remainder of real shit, you know the obvious.
My style is the only remaining genuine expression in the current state of the industry.

Me scholarship? No, streets put me through colleges.
I did not obtain my education through formal means, but rather through the experiences I faced on the streets.

Be all you can be, true, but the problem is.
While it is important to strive for success, it is difficult to achieve due to societal inequalities.

A dream's only a dream if work don't follow it.
A dream must be coupled with actions, or else it remains an abstract concept.

Remind me of the homies that used to know me, now follow this.
This situation evokes memories of my former friends, but listen closely to what I have to say.

I'll tell you my hypothesis, I'm probably just way too loyal.
I have a theory that I am excessively loyal to those around me.

K Dizzle would do it for you, my niggas think I'm a god.
My friends have faith in me to complete any task, as they jokingly revere me highly.

Truthfully all of 'em spoiled, usually you're never charged.
To be honest, my friends are all entitled, as typically they do not face consequences for their actions.

But somethin' came over you once I took you to the fuckin' BET Awards.
You changed drastically once I brought you to the BET Awards.

You lookin' at artists like the harvests. So many Rollies around you and you want all of them.
You view these artists as crops to be harvested, and they possess so many Rolex watches that you desire them all.

Somebody told me you thinkin' 'bout snatchin' jewelry. I should've listened what my grandmama said to me.
I heard that you have been contemplating stealing jewelry. I should have heeded my grandmother's advice.

Shit don't change until you get up and wash your ass nigga.
Nothing will improve until you take responsibility for your actions and begin making changes.

Oh now, slow down.
Relax and take your time.

And once upon a time in a city so divine. Called West Side Compton, there stood a little nigga.
In the beautiful city of West Side Compton, there resided a young black boy.

He was 5 foot something, God bless the kid. Took his homie to the show and this is what they said.
The young boy was petite, but his friend accompanied him to an event where they made a statement.

Fuck am I 'posed to do when I'm lookin' at walkin' licks?
What shall I do when I see potential robbery victims walking by?

The convicts talk 'bout matchin', money and foreign whips.
The criminal individuals discuss obtaining equal items, such as expensive cars, with their money gained through illegal activities.

The private jets and passports, presidential glass floor. Gold bottles, gold models, sniffin' up the ass for.
They long for luxurious items, such as private jets and presidential glass floors, golden champagne bottles, golden women to indulge in, with drugs as an accompaniment.

Instagram flicks, suck a dick, fuck is this?
They view flaunting their wealth on social media as pointless and suggest engaging in a sexual activity instead.

One more suck away from wavin' flashy wrist.
They believe a sexual act is a small price to pay in order to wear ostentatious jewelry.

My defense mechanism tell me to get him, quickly because he got it.
My instinct tells me to attack him and take his belongings since he appears to have valuable items.

It's the recession, then why the fuck he in King of Diamonds?
If we are currently in an economic recession, why is he spending money in a strip club?

No more livin' poor, meet my .44.
I refuse to continue living in poverty and chose to resort to violence to obtain what I desire.

When I see 'em, put the per diem on the floor.
In his presence, I disregard the funds allocated for my daily per diem.

Now Kendrick, know they're your co-workers. But it's gon' take a lot for this pistol go cold turkey.
Remember, Kendrick, they are your peers, but it will require immense self control to refrain from gun violence.

Now I can watch his watch on the TV and be okay. But see I'm on the clock once that watch landin' in LA.
I can watch his watch on television and feel satisfied, but my focus is tracking the time it will arrive once in Los Angeles.

Remember steal from the rich and givin' it back to the poor?
Do you recall the concept of taking from the wealthy and distributing it to the impoverished?

Well that's me at these awards. I guess my grandmama was warnin' a boy. She said
I embody this ideal at these events, which confirms my grandmother's prior warning.

Hollywood's nervous. Fuck you, goodnight, thank you much for your service.
Hollywood is uneasy about my presence. I insultingly dismiss them and sign off for the night.