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Play on words with “good in” and “Gooding” in reference to the actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.
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Reference to the 2008 Adam Sandler movie “Don’t Mess with the Zohan”
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Reference to Chamillionaire’s mixtape “Hanging with Mr. Koopa”
One of Chamillionaire’s nicknames is King Koopa. Chamillionaire to Rockie is Kanye’s Jay-Z
Possibly a reference to the mid-90s ABC sit com, Hanging with Mr. Cooper.
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May be a reference to the Christian Bible
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King of Diamonds is located in Miami, FL, and is one of the largest, and most luxurious, strip clubs in America.
Kendrick mentioned the “King of Diamonds” again later in his career on To Pimp A Butterfly’s “Institutionalized” and also shares initials (K.D) with the King of Diamonds.
Note the way Kendrick says “ask” sounds a lot like “axe”, referencing the king of diamonds playing card.
I'm glad everybody came out tonight
As we stand on our neighborhood corner
Know that this fire that's burning represents the passion you have
Listen
Keisha, Tammy, come up front
I recognize all of you
Every creed and color
With that being said
Fuck your ethnicity
You understand that?
We gon' talk about a lot of shit that concerns you, all of you Kendrick Lamar – Fuck Your Ethnicity
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The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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“Pistol” Pete Maravich was a point guard for the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Jazz. He is known as one of the best (and most creative) ball handlers and passers in NBA history.
Here he is in action:
They curious now
'Cause when women get sick of men, they think of a big helping hand
To lend each other, uncover emotions when lights dim
So when she telling her to come over, it'll be alright
The minute she hit the block and turn left, she'll be turning dyke, they go Kendrick Lamar – Tammy's Song (Her Evils)
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In the middle of the night, she checked his phone, Erica, right?
When he pled the Fifth, man, it was on, matter fact, she gone
Matter fact, Tyrone was on speed dial, so when she got home
It was going down, she go Kendrick Lamar – Tammy's Song (Her Evils)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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‘His Vices’ include marijuana/tobacco, unhealthy food, and an all-around reckless lifestyle. A “poe man’s dream” would be to live like this.
Most subtle lyrics ever, they are initially sung and spoken as just the relaxing and great way of living but as song proceeds you see the recklessness of this behavior. One way to catch is to know that kendrick does not smoke so it provides a hint as to the context of what “good” really means
This song samples the collaboration song by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson off of the album, “Winter In America”. The song samples a part from the opening piece, “Peace Go With You, Brother”
This annotation just seems off-point, a ‘vice’ is not necessarily a bad thing, I don’t think Kendrick is really criticizing the idea of ‘smoke good, eat good, live good’, and the message of the song is to not live a reckless lifestyle.
120
While Kendrick does not smoke himself, this song is dedicated toward the good that Kendrick would like to do for his friends/family/father. Smoking good in urban terminology suggests a better quality of living then most are accustomed to in of itself. Kendrick is inferring indirectly here that he would like nothing but the best for his family.