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Prognosis of a problem child, I'm proud and well-devoted Kendrick Lamar – Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

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Dave’s brother feels as though he was one of the “dumb niggas”, those who don’t succeed. He sees it as the imminent path of a problem child in Compton, U.S.A.

Since this line and the previous line, and especially the words ‘prosper’ and ‘prognosis’, are practically hissed by Kendrick, this creates an air of contempt around the words.

The fact that Dave’s brother was born to be a ‘dumb nigga’ or a ‘problem child is accepted and recognized, however, this doesn’t mean Dave’s brother or Kendrick is happy with this fate.

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5 years

Kendrick is using alliteration of the letter “p” to play off the “piru shit” he refers to in the next line — and the first letter of its name.

This is a common occurrence in gang culture, for example, replacing c-words with the letter b in defiance of the crips.

But Kendrick’s alliteration here isn’t just a demonstration of piru pride. He is subtly hinting at just how much the gang culture has seeped into Dave’s life, creeping even into his words.

It’s a subtle technique, but it speaks volumes to Kendrick’s linguistic skill, and the intention behind his every word.

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dumb
Niggas like me never prosper Kendrick Lamar – Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

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Often times, the hood creates an environment that perpetuates ignorance and a mentality of victimhood.

Dave’s brother is a prime example of this, he feels that just because he’s from Compton, he won’t accomplish anything of substance. He feels as though Kendrick is different because he’s talented and is truly a good person. However, he can’t see any good within himself and doesn’t feel as though he has any redeeming qualities.

The pause after dumb is because he’s saying when thunder comes it rains cats and dogs dumb, that all goes together, dumb as in a stupid amount, when it rains it pours. He means that its always raining trouble in Compton. One small thing (thunder) always leads to someone retaliating or worse (raining cats and dogs, series of events). In this case, stealing his mom’s van and going out to meet Sherane ended with him getting jumped and going with his friends to get revenge and Dave ending up dead.

Also, starting here, with the next few lines, Kendrick does a brilliant job of the literary device alliteration, or repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words.
“Dumb, niggas like me never prosper/prognosis, of a problem child, I’m proud and well devoted/This piru shit been near me forever. So forever, I'mma push it…"

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Often times, the hood creates an environment that perpetuates ignorance and a mentality of victimhood.

Dave's brother is a prime example of this, he feels that just because he's from Compton, he won't accomplish anything of substance.  He feels as though Kendrick is different because he's talented and is truly a good person.  However, he can't see any good within himself and doesn't feel as though he has any redeeming qualities.

The pause after dumb is because he’s saying when thunder comes it rains cats and dogs dumb, that all goes together, dumb as in a stupid amount, when it rains it pours. He means that its always raining trouble in Compton. One small thing (thunder) always leads to someone retaliating or worse (raining cats and dogs, series of events). In this case, stealing his mom's van and going out to meet Sherane ended with him getting jumped and going with his friends to get revenge and Dave ending up dead.

Also, starting here, with the next few lines, Kendrick does a brilliant job of the literary device **alliteration**, or repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words.
“Dumb, niggas like me never **p**rosper/**p**rognosis, of a **p**roblem child, I’m **p**roud and well devoted/This **p**iru shit been near me forever. So forever, I'mma **p**ush it..."

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zjackwang

2 years

alliteration at the end like sounds of gunshots. they also follow the story arc of Dave’s brother. always poor, growing up labeld “problematic”, reacting by being proud of being problematic, and finally joins a gang and pushes it until he dies…

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3 years

“I wonder if I’ll ever discover a passion like you and recover the life that I knew as a youngin”

Dave’s brother sees Kendrick’s passion for rapping and wonders whether he’ll ever be able to find himself again in something that brings him comparable joy and growth. The next two lines are him trying to write something. The rhyme scheme falters at cats and dogs and he gets disheartened, says it’s dumb, and gives up

Kendrick at this point knows he’s been incredibly blessed, and not all his homies can get out of the trap the same way he’s able to

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I'll wait… Your rebuttal a little too late
And if you have a album date, just make sure I'm not in the song
'Cause I don't need the attention, bring enough of that on my own Kendrick Lamar – Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

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His rebuttal (the 3rd verse) to this message literally comes too late as she has already faded away by the time he can explain himself.

When she says she gets enough attention on her own, she’s saying it to brag (not to plead with Kendrick to not mention her in his album) about how well she’s doing for herself as a hooker – which ties in with the defiant, “don’t feel sorry for me” tone of the previous lines.

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2 years

By saying she brings enough “attention on her own”, she is trying to say that, she gets enough attention from people (especially men) because she is a prostitute and will dress in a certain way that will expose parts of her body that will get people looking at her anywhere she passes and goes. So she feels Kendrick’s song will not bring her any more attention, as she already gets alot of attention on her own.

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Three niggas in one room, first time I was tossed
And I'm exhausted, but fuck that "Sorry for your loss" shit
My sister died in vain, but what point are you tryna gain
If you can't fit the pumps I walk in? Kendrick Lamar – Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

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She sardonically references the first time that she was used by three men at once (or “tossed”) as an example of how she was taught how to be a woman.

She doesn’t need Kendrick to apologize for the life she was forced into. She rejects criticism from people who can’t sympathize with her plight.

This line also marks a dramatic change in Keisha’s sister’s tone as she goes from sounding weak and vulnerable to sounding angry and forceful.

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Yvng

1 year

“Sorry for your loss” could mean losing her virginity.

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Vijay Rikhye

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7 years

“Fit the pumps I walk in” is a Maya Angelou reference/ quote

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And ooh, what I say like Imogen Heap Lupe Fiasco – Form Follows Function

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Imogen Heap is best known for a section of her song “Hide and Seek” that was sampled by Jason Derulo for the chorus of his 2009 hit “Whatcha Say” (begins at about 2:45 in video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McDgDlnDX0Y&t=2m52s

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ron king

11 years

Art what I draw…. the rhymes that I spit is art…
make em say ohh
Imogean head Is a black artist…. …when you see a beautiful painting you say ohhh….

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People in the South want it chopped and screwed, I got this dude
They expectations I'mma exceed it Drake (Ft. Nickelus F & No Malice) – Do What You Do (Remix)

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Drake has talked many a time about how he spent time in Memphis and is heavily influenced by them
Chopped and screwed means slowed down, rearranged, etc. basically remixed but in a specific way. This Southern trademark was seeing a huge popularity boom in the mid-2000s when this track was released.
The Chopped and Screwed style was a major inspiration for Drake’s next mixtape, So Far Gone, and especially the song November 18th which included a tribute to the late Chopped and Screwed master DJ Screw.

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To the people that ignored me before this
This one is for you as a song re-recorded Drake (Ft. Nickelus F & No Malice) – Do What You Do (Remix)

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It seems like this line would refer to the fact that this song is a remix of a song off Drake’s first major mixtape Room For Improvement. However, this line also appears in the RFI version of the song. It’s possible that the true original version of “Do What U Do” was recorded before the release of RFI, and that the version on that mixtape was a remix of something else. Whatever the case is, Drake is clearly re-recording this song to prove a point to the people who thought he didn’t have any potential.

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White Privilege Macklemore – White Privilege

Song Bio 6 Contributors ?

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Macklemore’s a white rapper, in dialog with his fans and himself on this track. He acknowledges that he may be “gentrifying” hip-hop as a white rapper in a black art form, similar to Eminem in “White America”. Macklemore doesn’t necessarily come to a resolution in this song—rap is who he is, but his privilege is a factor is his success. Also, future Thrift Shop collaborator Wanz said that this was the song that helped him gain respect for Mack:

He was the first rapper that I’d ever heard that would be so bold and so honest as to say a line, “We’ve taken their 40 acres, now I’m taking their 16 bars.” And that’s the line that hooked me, that got me to everything else, like “Other Side” and “Wings” and everything.

In 2007, Macklemore talked about this song, saying:

Me being white and being in a culture that started predominately with people of color, I feel like it’s my responsibility to address the issue, take it upon myself to do it in a fashion that examines it front and back.

When Macklemore got a mainstream following, he maintained this perspective which he discusses in an interview, years after this song was released.

On January 22nd 2016, a follow-up to this song, called “White Privilege II”, was released on YouTube and SoundCloud. The track will be a part of This Unruly Mess I’ve Made – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' second studio album. The song analyzes a variety of issues centered around race that Macklemore feels are affecting the world still in 2016.

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Macklemore's a white rapper, in dialog with his fans and himself on this track. He acknowledges that he may be "gentrifying" hip-hop as a white rapper in a black art form, similar to Eminem in ["White America"](http://genius.com/Eminem-white-america-lyrics). Macklemore doesn't necessarily come to a resolution in this song—rap is who he is, but his privilege is a factor is his success. Also, future [Thrift Shop](http://rapgenius.com/Macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-thrift-shop-lyrics) collaborator Wanz said that this was the song that helped him gain [respect](http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/02/meet-wanz-the-51-year-old-former-software-engineer-whos-topping-the-charts-with-macklemore/) for Mack:

> He was the first rapper that I’d ever heard that would be so bold and so honest as to say a line, “We’ve taken their 40 acres, now I’m taking their 16 bars.” And that’s the line that hooked me, that got me to everything else, like “Other Side” and “Wings” and everything.

In 2007, [Macklemore talked about this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WvLvX0k2Jc), saying:

> Me being white and being in a culture that started predominately with people of color, I feel like it's my responsibility to address the issue, take it upon myself to do it in a fashion that examines it front and back.

When Macklemore got a mainstream following, he maintained this perspective which he discusses in an [interview, years after this song was released.](http://news.rapgenius.com/Macklemore-interview-with-rolling-stone-comments-on-race-and-success-lyrics)

On January 22nd 2016, a follow-up to this song, called ["White Privilege II"](http://genius.com/Macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-white-privilege-ii-lyrics), was released on YouTube and SoundCloud. The track will be a part of [*This Unruly Mess I've Made*](http://genius.com/albums/Macklemore-and-ryan-lewis/This-unruly-mess-i-ve-made) - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' second studio album. The song analyzes a variety of issues centered around race that Macklemore feels are affecting the world still in 2016.

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Late Registration Late Registration

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The second studio album from Kanye West, Late Registration is noted for its continued exploration of the social themes introduced in The College Dropout as well as the orchestral production influenced by album co-producer Jon Brion. The album spawned Kanye classics such as “Touch the Sky,” “Hey Mama,” “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” and his best-selling song to date, “Gold Digger.” Late Registration debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 3.1 million in the US.

Kanye’s new found success after his breakout album The College Dropout allowed him to expand his ambitions from a single violinist he used in the The College Dropout (see “The New Workout Plan”) to an entire string orchestra in the song “Late” with ten violins, four violas, and four cellos.

Lyrically, the album features a mix of more socially charged songs such as “Crack Music” and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” to more personal cuts like “Hey Mama” and “Roses.”

Production-wise, ‘Ye was inspired by British trip hop band Portishead. He was particularly influenced by their 1998 live album Roseland NYC Live, which featured the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He strove to establish a new type of sampling sound, one that relied heavily on string arrangements. He achieved this sound by working with producer and composer Jon Brion, who also produced Fiona Apple’s monumental second album, When The Pawn…. Brion describe Late Registration as “definitely not just a hip-hop album.”

Since the album’s release it has been critically acclaimed: listed as number 118 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, holding a score of 85 on Metacritic, and brandishing a 9.5 rating on Pitchfork.

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The second studio album from [Kanye West](/artists/Kanye-west), *Late Registration* is noted for its continued exploration of the social themes introduced in *The College Dropout* as well as the orchestral production influenced by album co-producer [Jon Brion.](http://genius.com/artists/Jon-brion) The album spawned Kanye classics such as ["Touch the Sky,"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-touch-the-sky-lyrics) ["Hey Mama,"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-hey-mama-lyrics) ["Diamonds from Sierra Leone,"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-diamonds-from-sierra-leone-remix-lyrics) and his best-selling song to date, ["Gold Digger."](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-gold-digger-lyrics) *Late Registration* debuted at number 1 on the *Billboard 200* and has sold [3.1 million in the US.](http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1566931/kanye-west-how-the-rapper-grew-from-dropout-to-yeezus)

Kanye's new found success after his breakout album [*The College Dropout*](http://genius.com/albums/Kanye-west/The-college-dropout) allowed him to expand his ambitions from a single violinist he used in the [*The College Dropout*](http://genius.com/albums/Kanye-west/The-college-dropout) (see ["The New Workout Plan"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-the-new-workout-plan-lyrics)) to an entire string orchestra in the song ["Late"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-late-lyrics) with [ten violins, four violas, and four cellos.](http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/08/22/overdrive)

Lyrically, the album features a mix of more socially charged songs such as ["Crack Music"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-crack-music-lyrics) and ["Diamonds from Sierra Leone"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-diamonds-from-sierra-leone-lyrics) to more personal cuts like ["Hey Mama"](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-hey-mama-lyrics) and ["Roses."](http://genius.com/Kanye-west-roses-lyrics)

Production-wise, 'Ye was inspired by British trip hop band [Portishead.](http://genius.com/artists/Portishead) He was particularly influenced by their 1998 live album [*Roseland NYC Live*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseland_NYC_Live), which featured the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He strove to establish a new type of sampling sound, one that relied heavily on string arrangements. He achieved this sound by working with producer and composer Jon Brion, who also produced [Fiona Apple](http://genius.com/artists/Fiona-apple)'s monumental second album, [*When The Pawn...*](http://genius.com/albums/Fiona-apple/When-the-pawn). Brion describe *Late Registration* as “definitely not just a hip-hop album.”

Since the album's release it has been critically acclaimed: listed as [number 118 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time,](http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-late-registration-20120524) [holding a score of 85 on Metacritic,](http://www.metacritic.com/music/late-registration) and brandishing a [9.5 rating on Pitchfork.](http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8768-late-registration/)

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And so I grind like I'm listening to I Wayne Drake (Ft. Nickelus F & No Malice) – Do What You Do (Remix)

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This is a play on the word “grind”. Drake is saying that when you listen to music by I Wayne, a Jamaican reggae artist, you are about to smoke herb. Reggae is a genre that is famous for being a major part of weed culture

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