KDOT can’t understand why other rappers don’t strive for more substantive success.

Instead they would rather get a quick check and some fame whenever they release an album then quickly fade into relative obscurity again (like a season). Kendrick wants to be an artist that people are always talking about because his music is rich.

Kendrick threatens to show people through his music that artists don’t have to sell out to be successful. If they’re stuck in a box they only have themselves and their music to blame.

His mission is to gain fame and success by BEING unique and writing more meaningful lyrics, so that people starting out look to emulate HIS style and create their own unique music.
These ideas are the “locks” that he wants to break out and hide.

Kendrick’s anticipation builds as he nears Sherane’s house. He spots her standing outside, waiting for him.

Suddenly he sees two guys in black hoodies, possibly gang members and/or Sherane’s brothers/cousin waiting for him to arrive. This is supported by foreshadowing earlier in the song. He gets a call at that exact moment, but doesn’t answer due to the predicament he’s found himself in. We are left hanging…

The story continues next on “Poetic Justice” when Kendrick realizes Sherane is the problem because of her violent ties, and he uses the word bitch to describe her.

Metaphorically, to “paint a picture” is to describe something clearly. It’s difficult for Kendrick to describe the pain he’s been through to someone who can’t see his colors. This alludes to thinking in terms of black and white, which is to lack a nuanced perspectives on complicated topics

In Kendrick’s life one might say red and blue instead are the only relevant colors. Gangs operate somewhat like cults, and members may be blinded by their gang indoctrination

By “hanging with the color blind”, Kendrick may be referring to hanging out with bitches (dogs are color blind), in this case women (or weak men). They may be killing your vibe and not allowing you to see things as they are.

“Hanging/"blind” and “pain/pane is also a play on words, since blinds hang in a window. Whoever Kendrick is addressing, they are unable to see through the window into his life and soul – they can’t relate to him/his pain.

It may also be a reference to racial colorblindness, a philosophy that suggests that “if one doesn’t see race, one is not racist.” It’s a neoconservative philosophy that has become wide spread among Americans from all ethnicities and backgrounds. The problem with this philosophy is that it ignores people’s cultures and history. This is a problem because of long history of colonization and white supremacy that has ruled over the United States.

In other words, how can you understand Kendrick Lamar’s story if you cannot see who he is, where he comes from, and his history as a Black man living in Compton. If you don’t see race then you don’t see Black. If you don’t see Black, then you don’t see Kendrick. How can he tell his story, when you are blind to who he is and where he comes from?

It can also be understood this way: How can Kendrick make music of substance when most of the music being made has none and how will his audience understand his music when they have become used to music with no substance?

Compton is riding for Kendrick and he’s still coming to terms with the realization that he’s like the new Dre, Quik or Eiht for the city.

He knows that he was able to get where he is today because his city recognized his talent and got his name out there. It’s rare that an artist becomes a star through sheer talent, but Kendrick seems to have done it. Amazing.

Kendrick is familiar with the games women play. He could direct them to weaker men who could be taken advantage of, but they aren’t playing with him.

The way “go play” is pronounced is very similar to “Coldplay” and thus could reference a skit by Adam Devine (Workaholics) where he says “Beeeotch, Coldplay”.

A reference to a sexual position where the woman is on top. It is a more sexually powerful role than the standard missionary, where the women is submissive.

This feeds into the image of Cleopatra as a strong and powerful, if misguided, woman

This verse could either be told from the Pharaoh of the previous lines, dreaming of the future of his kingdom with Cleopatra at his side – or it could be her new lover, trying to woo her away with promises of the future

Additionally, it can be understood to describe the “modern-day America” timeline which occurs later in the song (so from the narrator’s perspective, the future) in antiquated terms. It would then refer to dancers at a strip club. As evidence for this interpretation, notice the reference to chandeliers, which would seem out of place in ancient Egypt.