Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst lyrics - Kendrick Lamar

[Sing About Me]

[Intro:]

When the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

[Verse 1:]

I woke up this morning and figured I'd call you

In case I'm not here tomorrow

I'm hoping that I can borrow a piece of mind

I'm behind on what's really important

My mind is really distorted

I find nothing but trouble in my life

I'm fortunate you believe in a dream

This orphanage we call a ghetto is quite a routine

And last night was just another distraction

Or a reaction of what we consider madness

I know exactly what happened

You ran outside when you heard my brother cry for help

Held him like a newborn baby and made him feel

Like everything was alright

And a fight he tried to put up, but the type

Of bullet that stuck had went against his will

As blood spilled on your hands

My plans rather vindictive

Everybody's a victim in my eyes

When I ride it's a murderous rhythm

And outside became pitch black

A demon glued to my back whispering, "Get em"

I got em, and I ain't give a fuck

That same mentality I told my brother not to duck

In actuality it's a trip how we trip off of colors

I wonder if I'll ever discover

A passion like you and recover

The life that I knew as a young'n

In pajamas and Dun-ta-duns

When thunder comes it rains cats and dogs

Dumb niggas like me never prosper

Prognosis of a problem child

I'm proud and well devoted

This piru shit been in me forever

So forever I'm a push it, wherever whenever

And I love you cause you love my brother like you did

Just promise me you'll tell this story when you make it big

And if I die before your album drop I hope -

[Hook:]

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

[Verse 2:]

You wrote a song about my sister on your tape

And called it section.80, the message resemble Brenda's Got a Baby

What's crazy was, I was hearin about it

But doubted your ignorance, how could you ever

Just put her on blast and shit

Judging her past and shit

Well it's completely my future

A nigga behind me right now asking for ass and shit

And I'm a need that 40 dollars even if I gotta

Fuck, suck and swallow in the parking lot

Gonzales Park, I'm followed by a married man, a father of three

My titties bounce on the cadence of his tingling keys

Matter of fact he my favorite cause he tip me with E's

He got a cousin named David and I seen him last week

This is the life of another girl damaged by the system

These foster homes, I run away and never do miss em

See, my hormones just run away and if I can get em back

To where they used to be then I'll probably be in the denim

Of a family gene that show women how to be woman, or better yet a leader

You need her to learn something, then you probably need to beat her

That's how I was taught

Three niggas in one room, first time I was tossed

And I'm exhausted

But fuck that "Sorry for your loss shit"

My sister died in vain, but what point are you trying to gain

If you can't fit the pumps I walk in?

I'll wait

Your rebuttal a little too late

And if you have a album date, just make sure I'm not in the song

Cause I don't need the attention bring enough of that on my own

And matter fact did I mention that I physically feel great?

A doctor's approval is a waste of time, I know I'm straight

I'll probably live longer than you and never fade away

I'll never fade away, I'll never fade away

I know my fate, and I'm on the grind for this cake

I'm a get or die trying, I'm eyeing every male gender with intentions of buying

You lying to these motherfuckers, talking about you can help with my story

You can help me if you sell this pussy for me, nigga

Don't ignore me nigga, fuck your glory nigga, this bullshit...

[Hook:]

When the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

[Verse 3:]

Sometimes I look in a mirror and ask myself

Am I really scared of passing away

If it's today I hope I hear a

Cry out from heaven so loud it can water down a demon

With the holy ghost till it drown in the blood of Jesus

I wrote some raps that make sure that my lifeline

Rake in the cent of a reaper, ensuring that my allegiance

With the other side may come soon

And if I'm doomed, may the wound

Help me mother be blessed for many moons

I suffer a lot

And every day the glass mirror get tougher to watch

I tie my stomach in knots

And I'm sure not why I'm infatuated with death

My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats

That can come about

Cause the tongue is mighty powerful

And I can name a list of your favorites that probably vouch

Maybe cause I'm dreamer and sleep is the cousin of death

Really stuck in the scheme of, wondering when I'm a rest

And you're right, your brother was a brother to me

And your sister's situation was the one that put me

In a direction to speak of something that's realer than the TV screen

By any means, wasn't trying to offend or come between

Her personal life, I was like "it need to be told

Cursing the life of 20 generations after her soul"

Exactly would have happened if I hadn't continued rappin

Or steady being distracted by money drugs and four

Fives, I count lives all on these songs

Look at the weak and cry, pray one day you'll be strong

Fighting for your rights, even when you're wrong

And hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone

Now am I worth it?

Did I put enough work in?

[Hook:]

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off

And it's my turn to settle down

My main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

[Skit]

[I'm Dying of Thirst]

Tired of running

Tired of hunting

My own kind

But retiring nothing

Tires are steady screeching, the driver is rubbing

Hands on the wheel, who said we wasn't?

Dying of thirst

Dying of thirst

Dying of thirst

Dope on the corner

Look at the coroner

Daughter is dead

Mother is mourning her

Strayed bullets, AK bullets

Resuscitation was waiting patiently

But they couldn't, bring her back

Who got the footage? channel 9

Cameras looking, it's hard to channel your energy

When you know you're crooked

Banana clip split his banana pudding

I'm like Tre, that's Cuba Gooding

I know I'm good at

Dying of thirst

Dying of thirst

Dying of thirst

How many sins?

I'm running out

How many sins?

I lost count

Dreams of ballin like Spalding

But only shotty bounce

The reaper calling

I'm cottonmouth

Money is power, yours is ours

Lay with a snitch, die with a coward

Hope we get rich, hope we can tower

Over the city with vanity with the music louder

The same song

A black flower

I'll show you how to

Dye your thirst

Dye your thirst

Dye your thirst

What are we doing?

Who are we fooling?

Hell is hot, fire is proven

To burn for eternity, return of the student

That never learned how to live righteous but how to shoot it

Tired of running, choirs is humming

Tell us to visit, we lying about coming

Now back to business, loading the guns in

Back of the Buick, your hood is feuding

And the beef is bubbling

It's no discussion, hereditary

All of my cousins

Dying of thirst

Dying of thirst

Dying of thirst

Too many sins

I'm running out

Somebody send

Me a well for the drought

See, all I know, is taking notes

On taking this life for granted

Granted, if he provoke

My best days, I stress days (Lord forgive me for all my sins for I not know...)

My best days, I stress days

Say "Fuck the world, " my sex slave

Money, pussy and greed what's my next crave

Whatever it is, know it's my next grave

Tired of running, tired of running

I'm tired of tumbling, tired of running

I'm tired of tumbling

Backwards my mama say

"See a pastor, give me a promise

What if today was the rapture, and you completely tarnished

The truth will set you free, so to me be completely honest

You dying of thirst

You dying of thirst

So hop in that water, and pray that it works"

[Skit/Outro]

Real lyrics - Kendrick Lamar (feat. Anna Wise)

[Hook:]

I do what I wanna do

I say what I wanna say

When I feel, and I...

Look in the mirror and know I'm there

With my hands in the air

I'm proud to say yea

I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real [x4]

[Verse 1:]

I promise that I know you very well

Your eyes never lie even if they tell

Sweet lullabies that come with a smell

Of a dozen roses flippin' down the green hill

You living in a world that come with plan B

Cause plan A never relay a guarantee

And plan C never could say just what it was

And your plans only can pan around love

You love him, you love them, you love her

You love so much, you love when love hurts

You love red-bottom and gold they say queen

You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean

You love french tip and trip that pay for

You love bank slip that tell you we paid more

You love a good hand whenever the card dealt

But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself

[Hook]

[Verse 2:]

I promise that I know you very well

Your eyes never lie even if they fell

Out the sky and your optics? turn stale

Where they mow that's green

I can see you fit the bill

Of living in a world that come with Plan B

Cause Plan A only can make another mistake

And you can't see success coming from plan C

When it all breaks you, you still say you love me

And love them and love when you love her

You love so much, you love when love hurts

You love fast cars and their present is old

You love fast women

You love keepin' control

Of everything you love, you love beef

You love streets, you love runnin', duckin' police

You love your hood, might even love it to death

But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?

[Hook]

[Verse 3:]

The reason why I know you very well

Cause we have the same eyes can't you tell

The days I tried to cover up and conceal

My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal

When living in a world that come with plan B

A scapegoat cause plan A don't come for free

And plan C just an excuse like because

Or the word "but", but what if I got love

I love them, I love when I love her

I love so much, I love when love hurts

I love first verse cause you're the girl I attract

I love second verse cause your the homie they packed

Burning like a stove top, they love cooking from scratch

I love what the both of you have to offer

In fact, I love it so much

I don't love anything else

But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself

To the point I should hate everything I do love

Should I hate living my life inside the club

Should I hate her for watching me for that reason

Should I hate him for telling me that I'm season

Should I hate them for telling me ball out

Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' about

Hatin' all money, power, respect in my will

I'm hatin' the fact that none of that shit make me real

[Skit 1:]

"... I ain't trippin' off that Dominos anymore, just calling, sorry to hear what happen to your homeboy, but don't learn the hard way like I did homie". "Any nigga can kill a man, that don't make you a real nigga". "Realness is responsibility, realness is taking care of your motherfucking family, realness is god, nigga"

[Hook]

[Skit 2:]

"Alright that's all I wanted to tell you, just make sure you call us back when you get this message. Here go your mom."

"Boy you better have my jawn on full all this time you done had my damn car, but look I ain't tripping. Look, the neighbors say they seen you and your little friends over there by the food for less, and they was preaching to you over there telling you about the good book because right about now that's what ya'll need. Oh, and Top Dawg called the house too. I guess they want you and Dave to come to the studio. But look, you take this music business serious, and put out something me and your dad can step to. Shit, you know we from Chicago you know that's what we do."

[Bridge:]

Sing my song, it's all for you [x16]

[Skit 2 Continued:]

"If I don't hear from you, by tomorrow... I hope you come back, and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back, with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city... And I love you Kendrick, if I don't hear you knocking on the door you know where I usually leave the key. Alright? talk to you later, bye."

[Sound of a cassette tape being stopped and fast forwarded.]

Compton lyrics - Kendrick Lamar (feat. Dr. Dre)

[Kendrick Lamar - Verse 1]

Now everybody serenade the new fate of Kendrick Lamar

This is King Kendrick Lamar

King Kendrick and I meant it

My point intended is raw

Fix your lenses forensics woulda told you Kendrick got killed and pretend its a massacre

And the masses upon us

And I master being the the master at dodging your honour

And the chapter that read at 25, I will live dormant like 5 in the morning

Then raid your spot while Kendrick’s performing

And if they take everything know I got…

[Hook]

Compton, Compton

Ain't no city quite like mine

(Hey Dre whats happening with it my nigga)

[Dr Dre - Verse 2]

Still I’m at it, peel the plastic off it

You could feel the magic

Still I’m laughing at the critics talking

I can see ‘em gagging when I’m back in the back of my city

Back in the back with a batch, I’m banging Dre Beats with me

Look where I’m at, it’s the murder cap’

And I’m captain at birth of this gangsta rap

It’s a wrap when I’m done

And I’ve come a long way from a hundred dollars a month

To a hundred mill in a day

Bitch I’m from..

[Hook]

Compton, Compton

Ain't no city quite like mine

[Kendrick Lamar - Verse 3]

So come and visit, the tires screeching

Ambulance, policeman

Won’t you spend a weekend on Rosecrans nigga

Khaki crease and crime increasing on Rosecrans nigga

Kendrick Conan nigga

Where your sword at?

Hand on the cross and swore that

I do it big, it’s Rasputia for you shooters

Kama sutra screaming fuck your position and make you hold that

I’m trying to stay grounded like four flats

But I know Flex and piru crip tatts

They swarm on me like a beehive hoop in the G ride

From the west to the east side

Know just how Compton roll

[Dr Dre & Kendrick Lamar]

And that’s a given

I pass the blunt then pass the torch

Of course it’s my decision

I crashed the ports that you report

That you see me in Benzes

I must report that we import them narcotics

You bought it then talked about it when crack hit the speakers

The music business

I blow up every time we throw up a record depending on what you expected

I’m sure it’s bigger than your religion

Perfected by niggas that manifested music to live in

[Hook]

Compton, compton

Ain't no city quite like mine

[Dr Dre]

So tell that gangsta throw his set high

Roll it up in a blunt, I’mma take you on that next high

I did exactly what I wanted, that’s what made them checks fly…

In my direction, you never question when I said I…

Will be a mogul before I visit Tupac and Left Eye

Eazy and Aaliyah when I see ya we gon test drive

A Lambo in heaven but for now I’m on a red eye

Flying back to my city cause I forever stand by…

[Hook]

Compton, Compton

Ain't no city quite like mine

[Kendrick Lamar]

Now we can all celebrate, we can all harvest the rap artist of NWA

America target a rap market, it’s controversy and hate

Harsh realities we in, made our music translate

To the coke dealers, the hood rich and the broke niggas that play

With them gorillas that know killers that know where you stay

Roll that kush, crack that case, 10 bottles of Rose

This was brought to you by Dre

Now every muthafucka in here say

Look who responsible for taking Compton international

I make ‘em holla oooooooh

Eh yo Just Blaze, good looking homie

(Just Blaze, just blaze)

Ain't no city quite like mine

The Recipe lyrics - Kendrick Lamar (feat. Dr. Dre)

[Sample: Twin Sister - "Meet The Frownies"]

Smoking weed with you...

Cause you taught me into...

[Repeats]

[Dr Dre:]

Every morning when I wake up

Uh, money on my mind

Good times and get caked up

Sunshine coming through my blinds, I'm living but

Really though, it's never enough

10 million, that's a must

Living in California, everybody wanna visit for...

[Hook:]

Women, weed and weather

They come for

Women, weed and weather

For the women, weed and weather

From all around the world for the

Women, weed and weather

Women, weed and weather

These niggas'll kill for that

Put it in your grill for that

Still everybody gotta build for that

Me, I make mills off that

How the fuck ya'll can't see I ride

When I drive, down the block and you look outside

H-A-T-E in your eyes

I enter big money for the enterprise

It's a beautiful day I guess

For a bitch to roll with Andre I guess

Roll it up, baby gonna lift that dress

Then roll it up for me when I'm stressed

[Kendrick Lamar]

You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss

New Orleans and then Miami

Party in New York

Texas I be screwed up, chi town I be really pimpin'

But nothing like my hometown I'm forever living

[Hook:]

Women, weed and weather

They come for

Women, weed and weather

For the women, weed and weather

From all around the world for the

Women, weed and weather

Got that women, weed and weather

Yo, it sound clever, come and play

Wha-Wha-what more can I say

Welcome to LA

[Kendrick Lamar:]

My nigga said he wanna fly out to get him some

3W's only for a three day run

Bitch, take the motherfacking panties off you ain't no nun, shit

I be living in the sky every time I ride by them hoes

Ribbon in the sky on the radio cause Stevie know I control

Let it breath

I control, California living til I am old

You want to be one, to peak on the chart

So the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts

She in the coupe cause she in the neon

Cause she on the BS before we can start

Fuck with a nigga, ride with a nigga

Let 'em know the priority order me

Hennessy, and for my niggas OG Killa

Call it Jason Vorhees, boy he,

On his job, boy he sure be havin' them marks on they marks

Pretty bitches and tyre marks

Let 'em inhale the pipe exhausts

Let 'em reveal how much it cost

For this life controlling my price

No way hell no, uh uh

If I'm wrong than I wanna be right

You want to be one, to peak on the chart

So the peons can be gone and pee on their hearts

Women, weed, weather, it's not my fault that it's 82 degrees

And my top peeled off

You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss

New Orleans and then Miami

Party in New York

Texas I be screwed up, chi town I be really pimpin'

But nothing like my hometown I'm forever living

[Hook]

[Dr Dre:]

Known for that homegrown where I come from

Smoke one, palm trees

Double D's got 'em topless in the sun

I shall proceed, that's me, motherfuck your opinion

How many ways am I killin' 'em

Shit, right around a billion

We on it, that mean we living for the moment

That mean she'll fuck til the morning

Time and I got time and I know that I'm in a position of controlling anything

I buy that ocean, I'm a boss I'll buy that ocean

Ain't nobody fucking with this

[Kendrick Lamar:]

They want that shit, they often fiend

I give it to 'em but in between, my time

I gotta tie shoestrings

Life's a trip when you want these things

I often slip and then I lean towards 3 W's and life

You know blow job need an application

Eating pussy make appetite

And yeah my type, I like 'em brown

Just like my drink, the fuck you think

I don't fuck with' no hand me downs

See if you fuck than it's after me

You know how much I'm a make it work?

You know her dress, living in her purse

When you discussed your love for lust

Just make sure you visit here first

Cali

You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss

New Orleans and then Miami

Party in New York

Texas I be screwed up, chi town I be really pimpin'

But nothing like my hometown I'm forever living

[Hook]

Black Boy Fly lyrics - Kendrick Lamar

[Intro]

So I'm saying "What up what up. Nigga you made it."

So I'm saying "What up what up. Nigga you made it."

So I'm saying "What up what up. Nigga you made it."

So I'm saying "What up what up. Nigga I hate it."

So I'm saying "What up what up. Nigga I hate it."

Frustrated and I'm riding down the back streets

Making my conscious ask me

"Would I survive to make it up out this hole in time?"

Black boy fly

Black boy fly

Black-black boy fly

Black boy fly

[Verse 1]

I used to be jealous of Aaron Afflalo

I used to be jealous of Aaron Afflalo

He was the one to follow

He was the only leader foreseeing brighter tomorrows

He would live in the gym

We was living in sorrow

Total envy of him

He made a dream become a reality

Actually making it possible to swim

His way out of Compton with further more to accomplish

Graduate with honors, a sponsor of basketball scholars

It's 2004 and I'm watching him score 30

Remember vividly how them victory points had hurt me

Cause every basket was a reaction or a reminder

That we was just moving backwards

The bungalow where you find us

The art of us ditching classes heading nowhere fast

Stick my head inside the study hall, he focused on math

Determination ambition, plus dedication and wisdom

Qualities he was given was the shit we didn't have

Dug inside of his book bag and Coach Palmer asked for his finals

He had his back like a spinal meanwhile

We singing the same old song spinning the vinyl

11 graders gone wrong

He focused on the NBA we focused on some Patron

Now watch that black boy fly

[Hook]

Black boy fly

Watch that black boy fly

Black boy fly

Watch that black boy fly

Black boy fly

Watch that black boy fly

Black boy...

[Verse 2]

I used to jealous of Jayceon

I used to jealous of Jayceon - Taylor when I was young

Taylor made a career out of music from writing songs

A Buick had driven past bumping him when I mowed the lawn

Money laundering hustling, homies pondering up against

Schemes to make a million even if doing you harm

War's the case and just in case you wasn't alarmed

The city had fought with firearms and many had died before dawn

Its 2004 and I'm hearing the people roar

For the name of The Game they line in front of the store

Swap meets selling our mixtapes I'm like oh shit, wait

Don't wanna be another nigga stuck regretting mistakes

Mixed feelings was my opinion I was defending my insecurities

Chillin my conscience next to a villain

Compton made you believe success wasn't real

Be honest, none of us knew of a record deal

So as I peel through these lottery tickets

I see a Harley Davidson truck visit the same plaza we shopped

A tall nigga hopped out with Jordans and a white tank top

He was top of the rap game, we was the top of the block

So watch that black boy fly

[Hook]

[Verse 3]

My mama didn't raise me up to be jealous-hearted

Like most of the winners call it

Regardless of where you stay, hold your head and continue marching

That's what she said but in my head I wanted to be like Jordan

A Boy touring the country with money from mic recording

The only way out the ghetto, you know the stereotype

Shooting hoops or live on the stereo like top 40

And shortly, I got discouraged

Like every time I walked to the corner had them guns bursting

Nigga, I was rehearsing in repetition the phrase

Only one in a million will ever see better days

Especially when the crime waves was bigger than tsunamis

Break your boogie boards to pieces you just a typical homy

All these niggas facetious and they all standing beside me

They all will buy me a chopper if any one of you try me

What am I to do when every neighborhood is an obstacle

When 2 niggas making it out had never sounded logical

3 niggas making it out, that's mission impossible

So I never believed the type of performance that I could do

I wasn't jealous cuz of the talents they got

I was terrified they'll be the last black boys to fly...

Out of Compton

Thank God...

Black boy fly, watch that black boy fly

Now Or Never lyrics - Kendrick Lamar (feat. Mary J. Blige)

[Intro: Kendrick Lamar]

We on?

Aight

1, 2, 3, go!

[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]

Waking up in a dream

Sleepwalking on another big stage

You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream

Your name and your song, I'm so far away

From the place I used to be, struggling usually

Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me

I can feel the energy in the air

It feel like I'm supposed to be here

[Bridge 1: Mary J. Blige]

Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love

Fans, the stars, everyone

Sayin how they can't wait for the LP

And I'm gonna blow

They believe in me

Feel so good in what you do

Helps somebody else get through

That's why I do the best I can

Because I know how blessed I am

[Hook:]

I'm so high I can touch the sky

I know it's my time

And it's now or never

Shine so bright, I light the night

And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

A fool if I take it all for granted

A smart man if I keep my feet planted

To the earth cause the people that hurt can understand it

You speakin' outlandish

I'm a show you how to make it all work

Another plan, it a short term goal for me

A record sold for me

It's just more of me in your ear

For you to hear Kendrick persevere

Defenses I feel relentless

Ambition with a clear vision

Takin' off I ain't takin off these Pistons

I'm takin' off on the inner me - you're distance

Came across me, how much it'a cost me

To get you out my business

I set a plan, it's a short term goal, no sky is the limit

I'm past that, now pass that

Award, not one but four

Times two plus yours

[Bridge 2: Mary J. Blige]

I see myself performing there, (K.dot)

Sold out shows where the room is packed

Sitting at the Grammy's winning five awards

See myself on big billboards

Traveling around the world with endorsement deals

Can't imagine how it feels

That's why I'm smiling everyday

Because my dream ain't far away

[Hook:]

I'm so high I can touch the sky

I know it's my time

And it's now or never

Shine so bright, I light the night

And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]

You looking at me and you tell me I'm blessed

Calculated my steps, my heart, my breath

Breathe hums? of a victory and vividly

You see me when at my best, my worst

This verse dedicated to the days that I slept

With a curse research my paid dues I'm reimbursed

I burst in the crowd with a voice and crown

I'm a King on the prowl and I see mama smile?

And I vow on the tape that I'll never break

You can break bread with me now

We can all take a bow on the edge of the pedestal

Then scream out loud that we made it off the avenue

And walked that mile

In the darkness I often sit back

And get lost in the rap that I wrote

When you told me that it spoke to your soul

I was talking to you

I was walking it through every ghetto

Tell success hello

We here

[Bridge 3: Mary J. Blige]

And I'm so happy I cry

Cause I can't believe

All the things I ever wanted

Are finally happening for me

And it's so surreal

That I almost feel

That any minute I can wake up

From this fantasy

When you pray so hard

And you've come so far

And you know that it's the time for you lift your bar

And I'm gonna do it

Watch me!

[Hook: x2]

I'm so high I can touch the sky

I know it's my time

And it's now or never

Shine so bright, I light the night

And it feels so right, ain't nothing better