Auntie Diaries by Kendrick Lamar Lyrics Meaning – Peeling Back The Layers of Identity and Acceptance
Lyrics
Heart plays in ways the mind can’t
Heart plays in ways the mind can’t figure out
This is how we conceptualize human beings
My auntie is a man now
I think I’m old enough to understand now
Drinking Paul Masson with her hat turned backwards
Motorola pager, Off-White Guess jacket
Blue Air Max’s, gold chains and curl kits
’93 Nissan wax job, the earliest
Big social, big personality, vocal
Played the underground verbatim and stayed local
My auntie is a man now
I watch him and his girl hold their hands down
Tip of the avenues street lights made his
Thinkin’, “I want me a bad bitch when I get big”
They hug on the corner like California king
Cold hand all up her skirt, cars whistlin’ down the road
See, my auntie is a man now, slight bravado
Scratchin’ the likes from lotto
Hopin’ that she pull up tomorrow
So I can hang out in the front seat
Six by nines keeping the music up under me
My auntie is a man now
Asked my mama why my uncles don’t like him that much
And at the parties why they always wanna fight him that much
She said, “Ain’t no tellin’
Niggas always been jealous because he had more women
More money and more attention made more envy
Callin’ him anything but broke was less offending”
My auntie is a man now
I think I’m old enough to understand now
Drinking Paul Masson with her hat turned backwards
Back when it was comedic relief to say, “Faggot”
Faggot, faggot, faggot, we ain’t know no better
Elementary kids with no filter, however
My auntie became a man and I took pride in it
She wasn’t gay, she ate pussy, and that was the difference
That’s what I told my friends in second grade
She picking me up from school, they stare at her in the face
They couldn’t comprehend what I grew accustomed
We pull off bumpin’ Quik like it was nothing
My auntie is a man now, what a relationship
I grew up fast, I needed no one to babysit
He gave me some cash then gave me some game
Cherry freshener on the dash, I never complained
She even cut my hair at the pad, was loving my fade
The first person I seen write a rap
That’s when my life had changed
House full of demo, smoke stuck on the window
Cameras on the microphone, all women and men though
My auntie was a man now, we cool with it
The history had trickled down and made us ign’ant
My favorite cousin said he’s returning the favor
And following my auntie with the same behavior
Demetrius is Mary-Ann now
He’s more confident to live his plan now (talking to the world’s gonna bring you down)
But the family in disbelief this time (talking to the world’s gonna bring you down)
Convincing themselves, “He ain’t living discreet, he’s fine” (talking to the world’s gonna bring you down)
They said they never seen it in him, but I seen it (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
The Barbie dolls played off reflection of Venus (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
He built a wall so tall you couldn’t climb over
He didn’t laugh as hard when the kids start joking (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
“Faggot, faggot, faggot,” we ain’t know no better
Middle school kids with no filter, however
I had to be very mindful of my good cousin
I knew exactly who he was, but I still loved him
Demetrius is Mary-Ann now
I mean he’s really Mary-Ann, even took things further
Changed his gender before Bruce Jenner was certain
Living his truth even if it meant see a surgeon
We didn’t talk for a while, he seemed more distant
Wasn’t comfortable around me, everything was offensive
But I recall we both had a sick sense of humor
Made raw, but time changes all
Demetrius is Mary-Ann now
Remember church, Easter Sunday?
I sat in the pew, you had stronger faith
More spiritual when these dudes were living life straight
Which I found ironic ’cause the pastor didn’t see him the same
He said my cousin was going through some things
He promised the world we living in was an act on abomination
And Demetrius was to blame
I knew you was conflicted by the feelings of preacherman
Wondering if God still call you a decent man
Still you found the courage to be subservient just to anoint
Until he singled you out to prove his point, saying
“Demetrius is Mary-Ann now
Church, his auntie is a man now,” it hurt
You the most ’cause your belief was close to his words
Forcing me to stand now
I said, “Mr. Preacherman, should we love thy neighbor?
The laws of the land or the heart, what’s greater?
I recognize the study she was taught since birth
But that don’t justify the feelings that my cousin preserved”
The building was thinkin’ out loud, bad angel
That’s when you looked at me and smiled, said, “Thank you”
The day I chose humanity over religion
The family got closer, it was all forgiven
I said them F-bombs, I ain’t know any better
Mistakenly, I ain’t think that you’d know any different
See, I was taught words was nothing more than a sound
If ever they was pronounced without any intentions
The very second you challenged the shit I was kickin’
Reminded me about a show I did out the city
That time I brung a fan on stage to rap
But disapproved the word that she couldn’t say with me
You said, “Kendrick, ain’t no room for contradiction
To truly understand love, switch position
‘Faggot, faggot, faggot,’ we can say it together
But only if you let a white girl say ‘Nigga'”
Kendrick Lamar once again proves to be the maestro of weaving complex narratives with his highly insightful track, ‘Auntie Diaries.’ Kendrick possesses a unique ability to blend personal and societal tales, exploring themes surrounding identity, acceptance, and change. With unflinching honesty, ‘Auntie Diaries’ delves into the rapper’s personal encounters with gender identity within his own family, serving a powerful narrative of transformation and tolerance.
In a time when gender and identity are at the forefront of cultural conversations, Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Auntie Diaries’ holds a mirror to the social dynamics that shape our interpersonal relationships. Let us unpack the cathartic verses, decode the symbolism laced throughout, and understand how Kendrick Lamar confronts prejudices head-on, using his music as a vessel for dialogue and enlightenment.
The Gender Journey in Family Dynamics
Kendrick Lamar’s storytelling prowess rises to the occasion in ‘Auntie Diaries’ as he documents the transition of his aunt and cousin within the tapestry of family life. The significance of the recount, fleshed out in poignant details, paints a vivid image of his relatives’ experiences, pushing against societal norms and familial expectations. And yet, it’s through Kendrick’s eyes that we witness these journeys, his own understanding maturing alongside their transformations.
The narrative undertakes an exploration of masculinity and femininity, queer identity, and the courage it takes to embrace one’s truth against resistance. Kendrick’s family members emerge not simply as symbols but as whole beings, navigating their path with complex emotional landscapes he learns to recognize and respect.
Echoes of Acceptance Amidst Echoes of Slang
In a powerful reckoning with language, Kendrick ruminates on the derogatory terms used to describe his transgender aunt and cousin—words he admits to having thrown around himself before understanding their gravity. The duality of his enlightenment is palpable as he describes both the casual cruelty these words can inflict and the process of unlearning, driven by love and a desire to protect.
Moreover, Lamar boldy challenges the contextual use of slurs, casting light on societal double standards. He draws parallels between homophobic and racial slurs, questioning the logic of why some words are permissible for particular groups and not others, and ultimately calls for a greater understanding and human connectivity.
The Soul of Change: Verses that Chronicle Transformation
Kendrick captures a transformative moment in ‘Auntie Diaries’—one where both personal belief systems and wider societal perceptions are dismantled. The lyrics elucidate a journey from misunderstanding to recognition, from suffering to support. He articulates not only his origins of obliviousness but his path to advocacy; the path from standing by his transgender family members in private to defending their humanity in public spaces.
This transition isn’t painted as seamless or romantic; it’s complex, fraught with familial tension, internal reflection, and the shifting soil of societal expectations. Kendrick doesn’t shy away from showcasing the discomfort and the potent force of change that accompanies such personal journeys of the people around him.
A Stunning Look Into Heartfelt Storytelling
Kendrick’s narrative in ‘Auntie Diaries’ is not just a telling but a sharing—a spillage of raw, impactful history that speaks to personal growth just as it implores societal change. It is an admission of past ignorance alongside a commendable example of personal evolution. Each verse is stitched together not just with anecdotes but with the emotions that accompanied them.
We are held captive by the humanity woven into Lamar’s tale: the connections built, lost, and reforged in the fires of transformation. Kendrick doesn’t just want listeners to hear a story—he wants them to feel it, to understand the full spectrum of love, confusion, hurt, and acceptance that traverses every line.
The Resonance of Resilient Lyrics
Lamar’s ‘Auntie Diaries’ is a testament to his lyrical genius, peppered with memorable lines that resonate long after the track ends. Verses like ‘He built a wall so tall you couldn’t climb over’ not only depict personal defenses but also the barriers society erects. Each word choice is laden with intent, pulling listeners into a deeper conversation about the physical and emotional constructs that define us.
From the potent rawness of expressed prejudices to the powerful declaration of ‘the day I chose humanity over religion,’ Kendrick’s words pierce through the surface, challenging listeners to peer into the soul of the narrative. As the lyrics flow, they carry the weight of cultural critique and the warmth of a love mature enough to embrace difference.
