“Dedication” by Nipsey Hussle Ft. Kendrick Lamar

“Dedication” is the main ingredient Nipsey Hussle and his fellow L.A. collaborator Kendrick Lamar put forth in their personal formula for success. In other words, they attribute their own come ups to “dedication, hard work and patience” and by inference are advising listeners to adopt the same strategy.

As such, the first verse finds Nipsey recalling the level of commitment that it took for him to become the star who he is. For instance, there was a time when he did not have the wherewithal to express his inner “genius”. But he did not let such setbacks “fade him”. Rather he stayed on the grind to claim the dough he believes he deserves. And if he isn’t able to accomplish this goal through his hustle, then he’ll likely resort to criminal actions.

Likewise K-Dot comes in expressing how he had to deal with obstacles as one who thinks “out the box”.  He has also spent his entire life chasing success. And one major lesson he has learned through difficulties that occurred is that a “minor setback” can lead to a “major comeback”.  He also acknowledges that Nipsey is indeed a gang member, but this did not deter Kendrick from doing a track with him since Nipsey is a “man first”. In fact he shows Nipsey mad love and tells listeners, particularly African-Americans, to stay dedicated in their quest for success.

The third verse, which is once again handled by Nipsey Hussle, continues along that line of having a pro-Black sentiment of resisting a system that has traditionally been against them. But what it is mostly about is Nipsey’s impressive accomplishments. And he inspires listeners that they can achieve likewise with “dedication”.