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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
A play on Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” Speech. Martin had a dream that would defy all odds and Kendrick feels he does too.
This is brilliant satire which plays well into his criticism of gang culture, a prominent motif throughout the album. MLK Jr.’s dream was noble and visionary – black people successfully integrating into American society. Kendrick however outlines his immature youthful dream of attaining money, power, bitches, etc. The contrast between the two plays up just how immature he was when he was 16 years old and amidst the gang culture of Compton.
Side-note: It could also be a throwback reference to a line from fellow Compton MC Game’s song “Dreams”, and the influence that Game had on Kendrick’s youth.
Kendrick Lamar already mentioned Martin Luther King, Jr in “HiiiPower”.
I question that the 16-year-old Kendrick portrayed in this song is referring to Martin Luther King, Jr. Wouldn’t it make more sense if he was referring to Martin Lawrence? He told Sheraine he’d come by after he finished watching an episode of Martin, which indicates he must really love the show and the comedian since he’s delaying getting it on for a sitcom!
Also, Lawrence surely had a dream to become rich and famous and reap all the rewards that come with that while he was growing up, just like most kids do. And this is what Kendrick is freestyling about in the backseat.
Furthermore, in Overly Dedicated Kendrick samples audio from Martin in the intro of “P&P 1.5” in which Martin is complaining about being “ass out” broke–which is how Kendrick feels during much of GKMC.
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Lincoln is saying that neither Obama or Romney are particularly good, and that America should not have to choose the lesser of two 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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Obama imitates 2 Chainz' own “2 CHHHAAIINZZ”
And he fronted on it, like, "Nah, that shit will never work" (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Hahaha
Like, "Word?" MellowHype (Ft. Frank Ocean) – Astro
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Frank reminisces on introducing his longtime collaborator, Tricky Stewart, to Odd Future’s music. Apparently Tricky didn’t have the same optimism as Frank on the group’s future prospects.
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Spitting is considered extremely disrespectful in parts of the world – and rappers, by insulting their enemies on wax, are effectively disrespecting them in the same way
MF DOOM also indicates he’ll bring out his guns (steel) for tin men – this is a reference to The Wizard of Oz, where the Tin Man had no heart (i.e. MF DOOM’s enemies are heartless).
This also incorporates a clever play on words for metals, since the stronger metal (steel) being associated with DOOM, while the weaker metal (tin) is associated with his enemies.
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Refers both to swimming with dolphins, a tourist recreation in subtropical regions such as Florida
As well as the Miami NFL team (tying into the previous line about running offense)
And a play on the once-popular LMFAO song, “I’m in Miami Bitch”
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
The Ulster Defence Association is a paramilitary and vigilante group which operated 1971 until 2007 (and remains active, but has renounced violence). Ostensibly formed in Northern Ireland to retaliate against attacks on Protestants, it began a campaign of terrorist attacks, mostly directed towards innocent Catholic civilians
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.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
The People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola is a formerly Marxist-Leninist party which fought first for independence from Portugal, and then against rival parties in the subsequent decolonization conflict – an endless series of military conflicts which lasted from 1961 until 2002
The party subsequently declared itself to be socially democratic, and retains power in Angola (where it is accused of various electoral and human rights abuses)
1,155