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April 14, 2017

The 10 Most Relevant Lines From Kendrick's "Damn."

 

  

 The internet is in a frenzy with the new release of Kendrick Lamar's album "Damn." There is a lot of speculation that he will drop another album entitled "Nation" on Sunday, for the reasons pictured below. 

Either way if he does or doesn't drop a follow up to "Damn.", this album has been receiving amazing feedback, mainly because.. well its great.  Check out some of the stand out lines from the album below! And feel free to add your own in the comment section.

 

1. "My expertise checked out in second grade. When I was 9, on cell, motel, we didn't have nowhere to stay. At 29, I’ve done so well, hit cartwheel in my estate."    (Song: DNA)

Kendrick reflects on his childhood; a time when he and his family had nowhere to stay.  Now at 29 he happily does cartwheels in a home thats spacious enough to do impromptu gymnastic moves.  A great way to start off the album, some self reflection on how far he has come.

2. "I'm not a politician, I'm not 'bout a religion. I'm a Israelite, don't call me Black no mo'. That word is only a color, it ain't facts no mo'"
 
Kendrick establishes that he's not into politics or religion and doesn't identify as "Black" but as an Israelite.  His affiliation to the Hebrew nation is explained at the end of his song "Fear".
 
3. You know careers take off, just gotta be patient. Mr. One through Five, that's the only logic. Fake my death, go to Cuba, that's the only option. (Song: Element)
  
At this point Kendrick thinks he's better than anyone in the Top 5 best rappers alive.  The only option for him to take to be recognized as a legend would be to die (or disappear, as some people have rumored Tupac did).   
4. I feel like this gotta be the feelin' what 'Pac was. The feelin' of an apocalypse happenin'. But nothin' is awkward, the feelin' won't prosper. The feelin' is toxic, I feel like I'm boxin' demons. Monsters, false prophets schemin', sponsors, industry promises (Song: Feel)
 

Kendrick makes another Pac reference.  He also explains how he is fighting demons (evil) as well as false prophets.

  

5.  Happiness or flashiness? How do you serve the question? (Song: Pride)
  
A simple yet insightful line from the deep-thinking side of Kendrick.  As a rapper with millions of dollars, a constant battle he must deal with is to be humble and happy or be flashy like many rappers are.  
   
6. See, in a perfect world, I'll choose faith over riches. I'll choose work over b*tches, I'll make schools out of prison. I'll take all the religions and put 'em all in one service. Just to tell 'em we ain't sh*t, but He's been perfect, world (Song: pride)
   

Kendrick constantly plays with the idea of a "perfect world" in his album, and this is another example.  He basically is saying in a perfect world, he would also be perfect, choosing right over wrong, and uniting everyone regardless of religion.  In a strange twist, this perfect world would consist of people who aren't sh*t. 

7. This that Grey Poupon, that Evian, that TED Talk, ayy. Watch my soul speak, you let the meds talk, ayy (Song: Humble)
  
Kendrick reiterates that the bars you're listening to are high class and valuable.  He also explains that he's not indulging in the drug culture that is so heavily promoted in the hip-hop community.
  
8. Throw a steak off the yacht. To a pool full of sharks, he'll take it. Leave him in the wilderness. With a sworn nemesis, he'll make it. (Song: Fear)
  
The imagery in these two lines are vivid and also powerful.  It seems Kendrick is describing how fearless he is, which is ironic since the following song is entitled "Fear"
9. The shock value of my success put bolts in me. All this money, is God playin' a joke on me? (Song: Fear)
 
Kendrick speaks a lot about God and a higher power in this album and this is just another example of him questioning his success.  The wordplay of shock value and bolts literally explains how he's stiffened by the success and is still wondering if God is playing a joke on him.
10. Because if Anthony killed Ducky. Top Dawg could be servin' life. While I grew up without a father and die in a gunfight. (Song: Duckworth)
  
Kendrick ends the album with this powerful line.  Describing a real life interaction between the head of his label (Anthony aka Top Dawg) and his father Ducky.  If Anthony would've killed Ducky, the label wouldn't have existed.  Also, Kendrick wouldn't have had his father in his life and maybe would've been a victim to the streets.
   
Let us know your favorite lines from the Kendrick album!

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