Kendrick Lamar debuted a powerful, experimental new track on The Colbert Report
'Put a price on my talent / I hit the bank and withdraw'
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Your support makes all the difference.If 'i' dampened your expectations for Kendrick Lamar's new album, a soul-searching but very radio friendly track, this new one he performed on The Colbert Report this week should get you sufficiently stoked.
Holding a hip flask and spitting through the smoke on a dimly lit stage, Kendrick talked about race, survival and not pandering to record labels in the song, which featured a saxophone solo from Terrace Martin (who fans might remember from Ab Soul's Outro on Section.80).
Instead of using a verse-chorus structure it feels almost like a Biblical story, with Kendrick talking about advice received from people of different ethnicities.
An Asian man tells him to focus on his health rather than his career, an Indian man suggests he invest in real estate, a black man tells him "nookie is power" and a white man sees him as an ATM.
The track reaches a climax with Kendrick shouting "Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply", echoing the words of Bebe's Kids.
The untitled song could well feature on Kendrick's new album, which was expected at the end of 2014 but now looks like it'll be out next year.
Genius users pieced together the lyrics, which are as follows:
[Intro]
So I met this young lady, ya know, when I went back home. I was tryna spit my best game to her, you know, give her my best cap, but she kept on snapping her fingers like *snaps*. I said "You know what, girl? You crazy." Then she asked me what he said
[Verse 1]
(What did the Asian say?)
A peace of mind
That's what the Asian said, I need a divine
Intervention was his religion and now I'm surprised
Him believing in Buddha, me believing in God
Asked me what am I doing, he said "taking my time"
Meditation is a must, it don't hurt if you try
See you thinking too much plus you too full of yourself
Worried about your career, ever think of your health?
[Verse 2]
(What did the Indian say?)
A piece of land
That's what the Indian said, I needed demand
Telling me longevity is in the dirt, buy some property first
Profit a better dollar with generational perks
Equity at his best, really, you should invest
These tangible things expire, don't you expect
Income with so much outcome and yes
Look at my heritage, we blessed
[Verse 3]
(Now what the black man say?)
A piece of nookie
That's what the black man said, I needed to push me
To the limit, satisfy my hunger
Do it all for a woman, hair cut to a wool
We like to live in the jungle, like to play in the peach
What you saying to me?
He said "homie, come back to reality for a week"
Nookie is power, cut on a new chick every night
I wouldn't be prouder, you should allow it
[Verse 4]
(What the white man say?)
A piece of mines
That's what the white man wanted when I rhyme
Telling me that he selling me just for $10.99
I go platinum from rapping, I do the company fine
What if I compromise? He said it don't even matter
Make a million or more, you living better than average
You losing your core following, gaining it all
Put a price on my talent, I hit the bank and withdraw
Hit the bank and withdraw, hit the bank and withdraw
Put myself in the rocket ship and I shot for the stars
Tell me what you accomplished and what he said to the boy
I'mma make you some promises that you just can't ignore
Your profession anonymous as an artist
I don't target your market
You ain't signing your signature when I throw you my wallet
A lot of rappers are giving their demo all in the toilet
World tour, your masters, market, I need ya
[Saxophone Interlude: Terrace Martin]
[Hook]
I holler, "What you do? What you say?"
I shall enjoy the fruits of my labor if I get freed today
[Outro]
What the black man say?
Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die
Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply
Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die
Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply
Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die
Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply
Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die
Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply
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